Dear Editor,
For sometime now, your reporters have been describing deaf persons as “dumb boy” or “dumb girl” or “mute”. The latest has been the Chronicle and Stabroek News (SN, Oct 6) sports writers referring to national cyclist, Ian Jackson as “Dumb boy”.
I do not believe any malice or disrespect is intended. However, I do not think that Mr. Jackson’s friends or relatives are happy with the appellation. I know for a fact that Mr. Jackson is not.
Over the years we have moved away from terms like invalid, handicapped, wheelchair bound and hearing defect, among others.
Dumb means stupid or unable to speak. Most deaf persons can speak and they are not stupid. Mr. Jackson “outfoxed” his rivals to win his last race. This proves he is not stupid.
Yours faithfully,
Leon Walcott
Director Support Group for Deaf Persons
Rules for Appropriate Language
Editor’s note: No disrespect was meant at all and we apologise for the use of the sobriquet.
