DPHH vs. DHH
20 02 2005DPHH Dallas & Fort Worth established in January 2004 and they were successful for next 10 months. (January – October 2004) Julie Reese, John Wise and several other committee did good job bring spotlight on DPHH in 2004 – No questions about it.
During month of November and December 2004, they decided not to host any DPHH event due to conflict with holidays. Sure, they could have schedule event one week early or something but I will never know why since I am not in committee team at this time.
Julie Reese personally asked Brenden and me to see if we are interested to take over DPHH for 2005. After 2-3 weeks, we agreed to take over DPHH as co-host, Julie advised us to change to DHH since there’s a lot of inquiry from general during 2004. We are pretty much going with our instinct and started with “DHH” starting in 2005 right away.
We had our 1st DHH event on January 29th and it was instantly successful. Since it was my 1st to host this event, I had opportunity to talk to many old & new faces that evening and get their feedback. It was overwhelming positive that they were happy with our decision with DHH instead DPHH. On February 5th, we had our DHH committee meeting and we brought it up to make sure every committee agreed with DHH. We had non-formal vote and passed without anybody opposed.
Again, I have a lot of respect for DPHH.net itself however they are not exactly real organization. (No offense, really) They do not have mission statement, bylaw and/or under any status at all according to their website. They are practically deaf get-together event just like deaf chat coffee or deaf chat dinner everywhere in nationwide.
Same time, we figure why we should follow their DPHH philosophy, (with Professional in it) when it doesn’t fit our own community. Every state and local are little different with its own pride & culture. DHH DFW is not first one to become DHH, it was Oklahoma who bravely went with DHH in late 2004. Maryland also went with DHH this year as well.
So, we want you to know that we have similar philosophy in many ways however we should respect each other. “Professional” is somewhat fancy – at least in my opinion because we saw so many different people with their background such as retired, white/blue collars, students, unemployed, self-employed, etc. Deaf community is very small and we need to stay together as much as possible.
Does that mean we have fewer deaf professional in DFW Metroplex? No – everyone always talk about opportunity, career advancement, shares the idea and telling jokes whether it is DPHH or DHH events. I always tell everyone in general that DHH belong to them – if they don’t like something, they will know who ask and challenge us for a change.
We want to welcome everyone to attend DHH/DPHH in here and other cities no matter. It reminds me of diversity – we simply wants everyone feels part of it and not feeling inferior (2nd class) at all. We love everyone 
I think David Fulmer should ask better question – DPHH/DHH vs. deaf club. It’s more interesting and difficult to answer. Again, that’s another story…
Grant W. Laird, Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com
Interesting entry. Some of us tend to gravitate towards those who lead interesting lives. Alas, they don’t wish to mingle with some people who make no efforts to better themselves.
Touchy subject, eh?
philosophy or not. You think it is ok for having DHH. Professional is not really a fancy word. I see ‘professioanl’ is a decorated name to get a lot of attention. it worked. you think “professional” led deaf people felt to be left out. That is not true. Okla DHH are stupid. I wish that DHH never comes up with events. DPHH is a trademark name. it is plain and simple.
To answer your question about us not hosting DPHH during the months of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we felt that WE wanted to spend time during the entire holiday season with our families, shop for gifts, attend work/family/friends’ holiday parties…. Ofc, we had no committee back then which could have helped host it, but me and john were ready for a break by the holidays approached!
DPHH VS. DHH
I read all of G. Laird’s opinion regarding DPHH VS. DHH.
Obviously, DPHH is established to encourage deaf professional and people of different education background to mingle.
DPHH rocks !!
DPHH VS. DHH
DPHH is established to encourage deaf professional and people of different education background to mingle.
DPHH rocks !!