It is about the Deaf community and how certain lyrics reflect their feelings as a minority

1. Belonging to a Silent
Minority
Pena, Karina
L&WE IV
Professor Saubidet, S
September 21, 2017

2. Pena 2
Belonging to a Silent Minority
Common to all is the fact that minorities have been spreading the word on the
need for equality. Popularity of music has helped them to express their pleading. Songs
like “An Englishman in New York” by Sting and “Where the Streets Have No Name”
by U2 are clear examples. Such lyrics not only support the feelings of certain minorities
but also reflect the Deaf community emotions and feelings towards a world in which
they should fight for rights, acceptance and a place in society.
Even though Deaf people have the same rights as everyone else, the
implementation of their rights is often overlooked. However, they indeed desire to be
included as part of the society, they want to be considered equals. Sorrowfully, it does
not happen. They are still waiting for the opportunity of finding sign language
interpreters anywhere or of receiving quality education. As I have pointed out before,
U2 makes a clear description of what people belonging to different groups feel in this
selfish and divided society. Deaf people believe that they have not been accorded the
recognition they deserve. The song “Where the Streets Have No Name” states: “beaten
and blown by the wind. Trampled in dust” (line 21-22). They have been treated awfully,
but they are still determined to continue fighting for their rights and acceptance, they
imagine “... a place, High on the desert plain, where the streets have no name” (line23-
25).
Deaf are proud of being deaf, therefore, they want to be accepted. The Deaf
community views deafness as a characteristic that should be appreciated and valued.
Furthermore, they do not have any intention of making an effort to cure Deafness. They
believe that deafness is a feature that it is part of their culture and should be accepted.
As Sting mentions in “An Englishman in New York: “Be yourself no matter what they
say” (line18). Nevertheless, doctors and many parents in their desire to help them to
become “normal” prefer a cochlear implant. But in their attempt to help them, it makes
them lose of their identity. In their effort to fit in the society they feel like “... a legal
alien” (line 10). That is why the Deaf community has decided to defend their culture
and language, feeling completely sure about the fact that people and even their relatives
should accept them as they are. Stings words are clear: “Takes more than combat gear to

3. Pena 3
make a man. Takes more than a license for a gun. Confront your enemies, avoid them
when you can” (lines 30-32).
The Deaf Community does not feel either impaired or disabled. The
Community believes that, rather than having a disability, its members are merely
"different." The unfortunate disadvantage for them is that many employers are reluctant
to hire a deaf person because they consider they lack understanding. Deaf people are
capable of anything, which does not assure them complete professional success. There
are deaf doctors, deaf lawyers, deaf chefs, deaf dancers, and deaf musicians. The list can
go on and on. However, it does not mean they are going to find a good job or that they
are going to be famous. They are ignored just because they are different. This feeling is
present in the song “An Englishman in New York”. Sting presents an English author
who is homosexual living in New York and his experiences as an outcast. People
ignored him and this made him suffer, as it is clearly reflected when he says “it takes a
man to suffer ignorance and smile” (line 17)
Sting and U2, both completely reflect in their lyrics the feeling of minority
groups. The Deaf community is identified with those feelings of being different and the
illusion of an equal society. Deaf people are looking forward to being understood as
both members of a minority group and a literate group at the same time. Moreover, they
really desire to be treated as normal people, to feel they belong to this society, with
laws, jobs and social acceptance. Now it is our opportunity to be emphatic and to learn
more about their language and needs.

4. Pena 4
Bibliography
• Harlan, L. (2005, July) “Ethnicity, Ethics, and the Deaf-World”. The Journal of
Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, Volume 10, Issue 3, Pages 291–310
• Harvey E. R. (2008) “Deafness: A Disability or a Difference” Health Law &
Policy 2, no. 1 42-57
• Sting, (1988). “Englishman in New York” by Gordon Matthew and Thomas
Summer. Nothing like the sun. A&M Records,
• U2, (1987). “Where the streets have no name” by Bono, Adam Clayton and
Larry Mullen. The Joshua tree, Island Records.
• (n.n) (March 23, 2017) “A Deaf Sense: a Sense of Belonging”
Site: http://deafsense.com/deaf-sense-belonging/
• (n.n)“Advancing human rights and sign language worldwide.”
Site: https://wfdeaf.org/our-work/human-rights-of-the-deaf/
• (n.n) (May 22, 2006). “Deafness is not a disability”
Site: https://wallsmirrors.blogspot.com.ar/2006/05/deafness-is-not-disability-
argumentum.html
• (n.n) (September 7, 2015)” What is Deaf culture?” Site: https://bda.org.uk/what-
is-deaf-culture/