Watching the documentary Sound and Fury really opened my eyes up to how different two cultures really can be and how they can come in conflict sometimes. I really found this documentary interesting because I think that there was a very good message in it; that you don’t have to be hearing to be happy.
The documentary focused on one main point: whether or not the cochlear implant was a good idea for a young child, or anyone for that matter. There were very good arguments for both sides and I was able to see them both.
I found myself agreeing with the deaf parents who did not want their child to get the cochlear implant because they felt it would be taking away their deaf culture. I agree with this because I think that if you are born deaf that you’re culture is very important to you. That by knowing sign language you are able to communicate with your family members. I feel like the cochlear implant would be taking this away from the deaf child because they would be able to hear better and then they would be less likely to use sign language to communicate with the other deaf members in their family.
On the other side, I can see where the hearing members of the family were coming from. The operation would be very beneficial to the baby because it would be easy for them to do certain things without a struggle. I think that the parents saw how hard it was for the child to go to school and not be able to communicate with the other children, so it would make them want to have their child get the operation.
I honestly have no idea what decision I would make if I had a child that was born deaf. I believe that both sides of the cochlear implant fight have valid points. I think that for me, knowing some sign language, would want my child to have the best opportunities they can have, but I would not want to deprive them of their deaf culture and I think that sometimes if someone gets the cochlear implant that it does take away some of their deaf identity.
Overall, I really learned a lot from watching this documentary. It really opened up my eyes to see both sides of the argument and see as to why the family felt the different ways that they did about the cochlear implant.
