The History of Black ASL

Did you know there is a variety of American Sign Language known as Black ASL?

Why does this variety of sign language exist?

The main reason for Black ASL’s existence is segregation. In the same way that hearing children were disallowed from attending the same schools, White Deaf and Black Deaf children were required to attend different schools or were segregated into a separate department meant for students of color. Black people have also been excluded from Deaf spaces. For instance, The National Association for the Deaf banned Black membership from 1925-1964.

Why do people use Black ASL?

People who know Black ASL grew up learning it in their Black Deaf communities or schools. As we learn in The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL, “Attendance by Black deaf children at segregated schools or departments was clearly a matter of discrimination and racism and never a matter of choice, but the result was a strong sense of group membership and personal identity.” (pg. 9)

What is special about Black ASL?

Linguists have observed that Black ASL signers use more two-handed variants of signs, sign some signs on different locations on their body, have a larger signing space, and have completely different signs for some concepts, to name a few variations.

Is it okay for me to learn Black ASL?

Unless you are part of the Black Deaf communities that have historically known and used Black ASL, learning and using the language is improper. A better choice would be to learn the commonly used American Sign Language from Deaf people in your community that are open to teaching.

Remember:

Deaf people, especially Black Deaf people, historically and presently have been denied the right to use sign language in school and life. It is important for hearing people to understand that history and to be respectful while using sign language.

Source:

Read more in The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL by McCaskill, Lucas, Bayley, and Hill. (There is a copy at Marshall Public Library!)