Please join the Linguistics Department on Friday, January 17, for a special presentation by Joseph C. Hill, Assistant Professor in the Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

Dr. Hill will present “Black, Deaf, and Disabled: Navigating the Institutional, Ideological, and Linguistic Barriers with Intersectional Identities in the United States.” The talk begins at 4 p.m. in room 4448 East Hall. A reception will immediately follow on the third-floor terrace of East Hall (just below room 4448).

The lecture will be given in American Sign Language. Spoken English interpretation and CART captioning will be provided.

Abstract

The term “intersectionality” appears frequently in the popular and academic discourse, but the definition is unclear to many people. Intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, is defined as “the interlocking nature of social categorizations that are relevant to a given individual or group subjected to systemic oppression and discrimination.” Through the case of Black ASL and Black Deaf individuals’ experiences, the audience will better understand the elements of intersectionality and the interconnection of the U.S. educational, political, and cultural institutions from 1860s to present. The audience will come away with a deeper understanding of the relationship between systemic oppression and intersectionality and with a willingness to move toward social justice and liberation.

Live Stream

Dr. Hill's presentation will be live-streamed (below) at 4 p.m. on January 17.

Biography

Dr. Joseph C. Hill is Assistant Professor in the Department of American Sign Language and Interpreting Education at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). NTID is part of Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. Dr. Hill’s main research interests are socio-linguistic and historical aspects of the African-American variety of American Sign Language (ASL), henceforth Black ASL, and language attitudes and ideologies in the American Deaf community. Dr. Hill, a 2004 recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellowship and a 2008 recipient of the Fulbright scholarship, is co-author of a Gallaudet University Press’s 2011 volume, The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure, which explores the history and language of the African-American Deaf community in the southern United States and describes the linguistic structure of Black ASL. His 2012 volume, Language Attitudes in the American Deaf Community, analyzes linguistic and social factors that inform language judgments and ideologies of signing variation in the American Deaf community.

Accessibility

Ramp entrances are located on the northeast and northwest side of the building. An elevator is adjacent to the northeast entrance; the northwest entrance has stairs with lift near doorway. Gender inclusive restrooms are located on the first, second, and third floors.

Parking

Parking is limited. Please see the central campus map for parking options.