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What is some useful information on The Mask of Benevolence by Harlan Lane other than the summary?

Another bit of information that will help you is the explanation of the themes of this book. The two main themes discussed here are the mistaken benevolence of hearing people and the failure of current education for the deaf.


The title of the book comes from the mistaken benevolence of hearing people who try to “help” the deaf. Hearing people make many decisions about deaf education. Hearing people try to “help” by insisting on lip reading instead of manual sign language. This deprives children of socialization and culture. Hearing people try to “help” by labeling the deaf as “disabled” so that they cannot get the opportunities of bilingual education. Finally, hearing people try to “help” by using science such as the cochlear implant (that damages deaf culture by forcing children to hear).


A second theme is theme of deaf education and, specifically, its failure. Deaf education is mostly dictated by hearing people and involves lip reading in order for children to acclimate to the hearing world. Mainstreaming is a large part of deaf education. The author asserts that, instead of mainstreaming, it is bilingual education that should be the focus. Because of the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, minorities can be taught core subjects in their native language and English as a second language. The author asserts that the deaf are one of these minorities. Deaf education is still failing, but is taking strides in a positive direction through steps like the Gallaudet Revolution in 1988, which required a deaf president to lead the university for the deaf.


Thus, the author presents himself as one of those few hearing people who are truly willing to listen to the ideas of the deaf. Further, Harlan Lane calls for revolutionary changes in order to truly empower the deaf community.

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