March 2012 - Letter From The Editor

I am thrilled to be on board for What’s Up? as Editor.  I bring to you this month many changes, because I see the potential in such a space like this.  We have many talented deaf artists, and I'd like to give them a visually pleasing space to show their work online. 

I have arranged the layout on the regular site so you can read the articles, watch videos, and enjoy pictures.  On the right sidebar is a video, where I have posted “The Preservation of American Sign Language”, signed by George Veditz, in 1913.  This classic film was one of the very first published using American Sign Language. He was the president of the National Association of the Deaf.  At that time, the NAD felt threatened by the advance of oralism in schools.  He dedicated the NAD to gather money to finance recording of speeches in sign language.  In this film, he defends the right of Deaf people to use sign language, and talks of its beauty and value of humanity.   With the Seattle Deaf Film Festival coming up in March, I felt this was very much appropriate. Enjoy! 

This past month also brought us sad news in the passing of Chuck Baird. A tribute has been posted here.  Also included in this edition is a film review of the “Artist” – I hear it’s good!   I myself have submitted a review of the play reading, “Preying Hands". Just as in every edition, we have a featured photographer of the month – McCade Dolan. He shares some of his Urban photography collection with us.  Deaf Street Style has also submitted their picture of the month, of our quite gentlemanly and sharp looking Buddy Elledge.  

Next month, we hope to publish a special SDFF newsletter, so we will need your submissions! We need photographs, articles, reviews of movies, and filmed interviews.  Contact me if you are interested in submitting something – we want the opportunity to showcase the talent out there in the Pacific Northwest.  Normally we accept submissions by the 25th of the month, but SDFF is until April 1st, so I am extending the deadline to April 5th.  Please email use with the required information - your name, contact info, city/state, attachment of your work with a title, and a website if you have one.  We will screen and select for the upcoming month's online edition.  Looking forward to more creativity from the the Deaf community of the Pacific Northwest! 

See you at SDFF!
Katie Roberts
What's Up? Editor