No to Eugenics

No to Eugenics
11 × 14 inches
Oil on canvas
January 2012
SOLD

Description:
This painting addresses the decisions many new parents face when their Deaf baby is identified through hospital screening, typically between six weeks and eighteen months of age. It explores the Deaf community’s perspective on medical interventions, including cochlear implants and experimental stem cell research intended to eliminate deafness.

The large blue hand represents medical professionals wearing a latex glove marked with blue tape. The blue tape symbolizes the Mask of Benevolence—the appearance of helping while overlooking Deaf culture, language, and identity.

On the left, a culturally Deaf person signs “NO” to both the parents and the medical professionals. The parent looks at the Deaf baby with uncertainty, wondering whether they are making the right decision. Their thoughts may be, “I’m doing what’s best for my child,” or “I want my child to be normal.” The medical professional believes, “I am eliminating deafness.” In contrast, the Deaf person responds, “Do not do this to your child. Your child has every right to be Deaf. Let your child learn American Sign Language and English first.”

This painting presents a Deaf perspective on what often happens in hospital settings after a child is identified as Deaf. It raises concerns that early intervention programs may emphasize medical treatment while providing limited information about Deaf culture, American Sign Language, bilingual language development, and the benefits of connecting with the Deaf community. The painting affirms the belief that deafness is not a disease, but a human difference with its own language, culture, and identity.