Happy King Day!!!!
How easily those words have rolled off my mouth today. It has been both my vocal greeting and email greeting. Most Americans had the day off to honor a man who has long been my hero - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But, did you know that in three U.S. states the day is not recognized? In fact, in one state it is also Robert E. Lee Day. Makes you wonder if things have really changed.
As I reflected on Dr. King and the struggles of the movement, I could not help but draw parallels within the interpreting community. I have spoken with African American/Black interpreters who share stories of discrimination and other acts of humiliation directed at them solely because of the color of their skin. I have also experienced being judged not by the level of my skill but by the color of my skin. (I will share more of these stories in my book, publication date - post NAOBI, Inc.) My favorite story occurred while working in a legal setting. I approached the bench to introduce myself to the judge (as I had been trained to do) and he lifted his eyes from his paperwork and replied "YOU, you can't be the interpreter!". I think he realized his verbal mistake, when he noticed several lawyers in the room making their way to me with business cards. I stood there mouth wide open in disbelief. Understand, this was in the 90's; how dare he make such a public pronouncement? I thought we had overcome? In time, I came to realize that in his world, the only Sign Language interpreters he was accustomed to seeing - did not look like me. And while "we" may have overcome, some of our "non-colored" brothers hadn't made it yet.
It is now 2008 and I know no judge in his right mind would make such a comment. But, is this because s/he has been exposed to African American/Black interpreters in the courtroom; or has all the diversity training of the new millennium taught us how to speak (politically) correctly and hide our true nature? African American/Black students in Interpreter Preparation Programs (IPP's) continue to struggle with issues of culture, comfort and differences in learning styles within many IPP's. The number of African American/Black full-time faculty within IPP's nationally is extremely low. There is no structured recruitment strategies for attracting African Americans/Blacks especially males to this profession. Have things really changed?
The other side of the coin is that there are now more nationally certified African American/Black interpreters than ever before. For the first time in the history of RID, there are TWO African American/Black members serving on the board - and they are both males. And NAOBI, Inc. has grown bigger and better than any of the founding members could ever imagine. Our associations with organizations such as: Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education, Conference of Interpreter Trainers, National Association of the Deaf, National Black Deaf Advocates, and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf are testament to our desire to work cooperatively for change. And we have been at the forefront of encouraging that change.
But, change does not happen without commitment and hard work. Within NAOBI, Inc., we need the membership to step up to the plate to assist in helping to direct the system of change that has been imitated. We need people who are willing to work on a national level and/or with the local affiliates to continue to address these issues. Giving your time and service to "our" organization is the best way to ensure CHANGE occurs within our profession.
"... Because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love...."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Drum Major Instinct
February 4, 1968
Happy King Day!
Leandra
