Christine Sun Kim on Deaf Wrath in the Age of Gene Therapy
In her reflection on CULTURED's 'Indulgence' series, artist Christine Sun Kim expresses her growing anger, which she terms 'Deaf Rage,' evolving into 'Deaf Wrath' against eugenic gene therapies aimed at deafness. She presented clips showcasing deaf characters' deaths in media, arguing that these portrayals promote the eradication of deaf individuals. Following her lecture, she connected with Greg Hlibok, a prominent figure from the 1988 Gallaudet University protest advocating for the appointment of the institution's first deaf president. Kim received news regarding the initial FDA-approved gene therapy for genetic deafness, likening it to the media's portrayal of deaf deaths and labeling it eugenics. Born in 1980, she has observed advancements in accessibility since the ADA but fears that these gains are diminishing, highlighting issues of familial isolation and language deprivation, and expressing concern over potential erasure before birth.
Key facts
- Christine Sun Kim wrote about wrath for CULTURED's 'Indulgence' series on the seven deadly sins.
- Kim's lecture performance screens TV and film clips of deaf characters being killed.
- She met with Greg Hlibok, who helped secure Gallaudet University's first deaf president in 1988.
- A hearing family member texted Kim about an FDA-approved gene therapy for deafness, calling it 'amazing.'
- Kim equates the gene therapy to eugenics and media depictions of deaf death.
- She was 10 when the ADA was signed in 1990 and witnessed accessibility gains.
- Kim made the series 'Degrees of Deaf Rage' about a decade ago.
- She cites familial isolation and language deprivation as key injustices.
- Dr. Corinna S. Hill of NTID notes historical attempts to eliminate deafness.
- Kim texted back 'unsend amazing please' and got a thumbs-up reply.
Entities
Artists
- Christine Sun Kim
- Joshua Foltz
Institutions
- CULTURED
- Gallaudet University
- New York Times
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf