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The Silent Worker was a groundbreaking newspaper produced by Deaf individuals to share news, stories, and opinions during the rise of oralism. It gave Deaf people a platform to express identity, unity, and resilience through their own words. This publication preserves the early documentation of Deaf culture and advocacy, marking the beginning of Deaf individuals taking control of their narratives and history
Newspaper, New Jersey School for the Deaf, 1888–1929, Gallaudet University Archives -
Suppression of Deaf expression—sign language—was a goal for oralist education policies throughout the mid 20th century. Deaf people however were strong in their resilience, continuing to gather, share stories, and create visual art. This was a main way they preserved their culture during this era and reflected a silent resistance.
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Due to publications and performances highlighting pride in ASL and its history, Deaf individuals began advocating more for Deaf language as a symbol of cultural identity.
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Archival video and photographs, Gallaudet University, March 1988, Gallaudet Digital Collections.
Footage from the Deaf President Now movement captures the moment Deaf individuals demanded equal representation. Through signed protests and visual unity, the movement became a historic symbol of empowerment. This artifact reveals how Deaf people turned visibility into activism—communicating resistance not through sound but through the shared language of ASL.
https://ida.gallaudet.edu/dpnvideos/77/ -
Digital video archive, ASL Literature and Folklore Collection, 2000s–Present, Gallaudet University.
These recordings preserve Deaf folklore and storytelling through ASL, emphasizing movement, facial expression, and rhythm. By adapting tradition to digital form, the Deaf community ensures its stories endure beyond physical archives.
https://vl2.gallaudet.edu/resources/asl-literature-and-folklore-video-archive -
Today, Deaf history and culture are more accessible than ever through digital collections, virtual exhibits, and online storytelling. These archives ensure that Deaf voices—once confined to print or performance—continue to reach new generations. The story of Deaf culture is still being written, now in pixels instead of ink.