CODA Film Review: Part 2

Film Review, Perceptions of Codas, & Research

In my initial review of CODA (the recently released film), I shared some of my background and discussed various scenes, lines, and themes that resonated with me. In this review, I share supplemental observations and thoughts as they pertain to the film.  As far as my background, another lens that I would like to offer here regarding the film are some parallels with my research.

In 2019 (Voss),  I conducted an ethnographic study of Perceptions of Codas in leadership positions within the Deaf community", where I gathered perceptions of two groups: Deaf individuals and Coda individuals. While Ruby, the main character, portraying a Coda in the film, isn't necessarily a "leader in the Deaf community," there are themes in the film that I find that align with some common perceptions of Codas found in my study.

My study revealed some negative perceptions of Codas, which were divided into 4 themes: Dismissive, egotistical, entitled, & paternalistic (somewhat defined later in this review). However, it's not all negative! Throughout my study, I found there were actually MORE positive perceptions of Codas than negative ones! The positive perceptions of Codas were also divided into 4 categories:  "Collaborative Coda," the "communication facilitator," "DEAF-HEART", and "promoter." 

Thank you for joining me in this second part of my review! Let's take a look at how Ruby's behaviors and choices illustrate some of these common perceptions...

Egotistical Paternalism

At first glance, it appears Ruby is simply trying to prevent her brother and family from getting ripped off. This is almost inevitable as a child language broker who has learned to navigate and resist the oppression toward her Deaf family her entire life. Her circumstances have led her to believe that she has the privilege of hearing things that her family cannot hear and to "fill in the gaps" as a communication facilitator or protect and shield them from stigma or common misunderstandings about Deaf culture and sign language. 

However, as you can see from Leo's reaction (Ruby's brother), he's furious with her for not providing him the space to exercise his authority, autonomy, and agency. Ruby's behaviors illustrate that she believes that she has no choice but to step in and fix things. Throughout the film, Leo exhibits disdain and frustration with the family's reliance on Ruby and how Ruby chooses to assert herself into nearly every situation. 

In my research, Codas and Deaf individuals described how there are instances where they have very similar experiences, where Codas have exhibited an egotistical  attitude or behaviors of being "all knowing."  Paternalistic behaviors or attitudes were described as having to take care of Deaf people, fostering reliance as opposed to independence, often resulting in taking over, or controlling a situation.  While Ruby is attempting to be a communication facilitator, she is also illustrating some egotistical paternalism as well. 

What am I really saying here? I'm saying that Deaf people, just like Leo asserted, can take care of themselves! They don't need Codas to take care of them or fight their battles unless they ask us to, then we are working side by side to collaborate with them.

Table Syndrome, Loneliness, & Inclusion

When Leo goes to the bar, he tells his father that he doesn't need Ruby to go with him because he can handle himself. All the guys in the bar carry on and talk as if basically as if Leo doesn't exist. They could have opted in to acknowledge his presence and include him in their conversations by gesturing, writing, or using their cell devices to type out notes. But they didn't... they excluded him. This exclusion, also known as Table Syndrome, which often occurs when Deaf people are perpetually left out of conversations. 

The moment I saw Leo holding his beer, watching people talk all around him, being utterly left out of the conversation, it reminded me of my father. He often experienced this growing up in a hearing family that was told, "do not sign with him, he has to learn how to read lips!" This was legitimately a doctor's words to my grandmother's ears. And as a new mother in 1945, who was she to question the doctor; she assumed he was the expert. This meant a lot of lonely days for my father, often feeling isolated, even when surrounded by people at the table, attempting to grasp conversations being exchanged, coping through avoidance, reading, or even getting angry when being told, "I'll tell you later."

Gertie, Ruby's friend, and Leo's romantic interest (turned girlfriend) shows a different approach. Yes, besides the fact that she had a romantic interest in Leo, she took genuine interest in trying to communicate directly with him. She used whatever method she could, such as gesturing, smiling, and using their cell devices to acknowledge his presence and communicate. Inclusion begins with recognition of each other's humanity. However, recognition and genuine interest are only the beginning... True inclusion requires action.

Inclusion 

Inclusion is defined by Google's dictionary as:

"The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of other minority groups."

Don't get me started on the scene where the on-boat observer calls the coast guard. If this had been reality, I would have been livid! I would have been in her face to discuss discrimination, reasonable accommodations according to the ADA, and some choice swear words for what she did!  In my opinion, she displayed outright audism! However, beyond that scene, I want to pose a question for all of us.. Consider the questions and the statements shared in the above scenes...

Frank Rossi asks, "Who's going to support us?" Followed by an ironic reminder that they're the Deaf guys and that the community they live in, comprised by a majority of hearing people, see them as a joke. Later in the film, when the Rossi family is entertaining the idea of starting their own business, Marlee Matlin's character, Jackie expresses, "Those hearing bitches want nothing  to do with me." 

Whether you are hearing, a Coda, or Deaf, in what ways do you seek to provide access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized? Clearly, the Rossi family needed allies to make their business work! They needed local fisherman, they needed their community to step-up and buy from them, they needed the local TV station, and so on. How are you taking action to actually support the Deaf members of your community and their children?

Throughout the scenes illustrated above,  Frank, Leo, and Jackie Rossi, as the Deaf members of the community share that they don't have much faith in their hearing community members. Even Ruby illustrates some dismissive behaviors during the TV interview. In my study, dismissive behaviors of Codas were "neglectful of other's needs or input." However, in regards to Ruby, I pose a question... In the TV interview, is she being included or excluded? 

When hearing people rely on Codas to broker conversations, it is my opinion that this type of "inclusion" of Codas is superficial. Susan O'Reilly, a Deaf mother, from the Irish documentary Mother, Father, Deaf (2019), states, "Hearing people often wouldn't look at us as his parents...they would look at Shayne (son) or daughter...because it's easier to communicate with them. I was willing to write with them (hearing people), but they wouldn't even make eye contact with me.... Just look to the children."

Shayne, Susan's son (a Coda), shares in this documentary that hearing people would often talk about his parents right in front of his parents without directly acknowledging them, where he watched them "being robbed of their authority, their integrity, and dignity." He also shares how as a child language broker, he felt that he had a part or played a role of taking away his parents' authority, integrity, and dignity. Being a child language broker (CLB) has benefits, it also has downsides. When hearing people rely on K/Codas to broker/interpret conversations, there is often a high risk of further marginalization for Deaf parents and their K/Coda children.

The practice of providing access and equal opportunities requires action. Action to communicate with Deaf people and K/Codas directly! Actively seek their input regarding access, equal opportunities, and resources. Bring Deaf people and Codas to your tables at home, to your board meetings, to councils, town halls, and provide access by being willing to provide interpreters, so that K/Codas can actually participate with their families!

So that's part two of my review of the newly released CODA film. However, I still have MORE thoughts to share, so if you're interested....

Keep an eye out for part 3 of my CODA film review! You can click on the subscribe button (under categories on the right column off the website), so that you are notified when the next article is released! 

Thank you for joining me as I explore identity, intersectionality, inequalities, and inclusion!