Someone said burkas were disrespectful to the deaf but the deaf had other ideas – the 17 best burns
Times columnist, Iain Martin has weighed in on the Boris Johnson burka remarks – and who hasn’t? He made this comment.
Many reasons to dislike the burka, but disrespect of the deaf (who often need to see faces to follow communication) always high on the list
— Iain Martin (@iainmartin1) August 8, 2018
Given that he’s not deaf and appears not to have consulted anyone who is, this didn’t go down well with the deaf community. These 17 reactions show how deaf people felt about concern for their welfare being a front for his veiled (pun intended) Islamophobia.
1.
Don’t worry about me, I’m a good lip reader…but not when it comes to racists. https://t.co/FTELGX8dl2
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) August 8, 2018
2.
For me as a person for whom lipreading is a hit and miss affair anyway, I am content to simply have a written conversation with a woman in a burqa or niqab or other facial coverage. As long as it is HER choice to wear it, I can deal.
— AShettle (@AShettle) August 8, 2018
3.
Touching. Pray tell: would love to know about all the work you’ve done across the years to support deaf people. Or could you be using them to reinforce your odd worldview in the same way that Dorries is misusing the LGBT community today?
— Tony Jackson (@JacksonT0ny) August 8, 2018
4.
Personally, I love a bit of deafsplaining. Didn’t even know I had a problem until he told me so ♂️
— Disco Trash (@SupermanAlf) August 8, 2018
5.
I have a hearing loss disorder (not legally deaf yet) and I’ve known exactly one woman who covers her face. And I never viewed her needs as an inconvenience or affront to me.
To be honest, unkempt beards and moustaches are far more of an issue! #BanTheBeard ✊✊✊
— Ashley (@InMyMargins) August 8, 2018
6.
Deaf here. You don’t speak for me. I agree that seeing faces is helpful, but not at the expense of our Muslim sisters faith. If this was really about us, all hearings would learn to sign. Kindly, don’t rope us in to your islamophobia, we want not part in it.
— 美慈 / Sam (@hellomeici) August 8, 2018
7.
Iain I welcome your genuine concern for the deaf community
Perhaps raising awareness of the £4million cuts to deaf children’s educational support might be a more effective use of your position to help themhttps://t.co/1nhHPXNlBH
You know rather than using it to stir up division— Steven Jackson (@jeacko) August 8, 2018
8.
As a deaf person, I got 99 problems but people wearing burka’s really, REALLY ain’t one
— tilly (@tilly_tasker) August 8, 2018