Deaf Peddling. “The Deaf do not beg…” ▪ For some time, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) had a slogan to let the public know that Deaf people.

Deaf Peddling

“The Deaf do not beg…”

▪ For some time, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) had a slogan to let the public know that Deaf people were capable of working for a living.

▪ It was assumed that those begging were imposters – hearing people posing as deaf (many were).

After WWII, there was a resurgence in peddling.

Why?▪ Deaf people lost their factory jobs when soldiers ▪ returned from war.

▪ Many Americans were happy the war was ▪ over and were feeling generous. (And it ▪ made the people giving money feel like ▪ they had given to a good cause.)

The Deaf fight back…

▪ Members of the Deaf community worked to inform the hearing public that Deaf people donot need to beg to get money. c

▪ Some localities and states efforts were made to pass legislation which would outlaw peddling. (The success of those laws depend on how strictly they are enforced.)

Deaf Peddling is illegal

▪Peddling falls in the category of panhandling. ▪ The police refer to local ordinances in reference to panhandling.▪ A person must have a vendor’s license in order to sell anything in public.▪ Without a vendor’s license in each locale , the peddler is breaking the law.▪ Panhandling is a misdemeanor, and the peddler is warned, then if found in the same place by police, will be ticketed.

Why is Peddling Successful?

▪Most hearing people can’t communicate with a deaf person, and feel uncomfortable. They will give money just to make the peddler go away/to get out of the situation.▪ “I’m sorry this is the only way that you

can make money.”▪ “I feel bad because you are disabled”

Why do deaf people become peddlers?

▪ Minimal education▪ Not “big D” Deaf▪ Poor financial background▪ Limited/no contact/communication with family▪ Not a lot of acceptance in childhood/encouragement to excel.▪ Think it’s the best they can do/don’t see anything wrong with it. “I’m not hurting anyone.” ARE THEY?

How do other deaf people feel?

▪ Generally offended/look down on those who peddle – feel it gives all deaf people a “bad name” and reinforces negative stereotypes they have been fighting throughout history.▪ Tolerate it as part of their culture.▪ Small percentage admire them for getting back at the “hearies” who have exploited the deaf throughout history.

What should you do?

▪ Don’t give money▪ Sign BEGGING ILLEGAL▪ Sign YOU “go away”

ADDED COMPLICATION…

Human trafficking( “Cracking a Slavery Ring” and “Deaf Mexicans” article)

Human Trafficking

▪ A felony▪ kidnapping▪ unlawful restraint

NYC, New York 1997

• 62 Deaf Mexicans were found in slavelike conditions in two apartments in Queens. • Included 10 children, ages 4 months to 7 years

• At 4 am, 4 Deaf men showed up to a Queens Police Station, and led officers to an apartment in Jackson Heights, where there were 44 people in a single apartment. The other 18 were in a second apartment nearby. •Had to bring in interpreters that knew Spanish and Mexican Sign

How?

• Jose Paoletti Moreda and his wife Adelja, and their three adult children ran the ring. • All were Deaf- Mexicans themselves.

• Lured people with a promise of a better life. • Physically and sexually assaulted the peddlers to control. • Threatened their children/families if they didn’t comply.

Why didn’t they go to the police earlier?

•Most were in the country illegally. •They didn’t know English or American Sign Language. •Many couldn’t write even in Spanish, due to lack of education. •They were worried about the lives of their children and loved ones.

How does it work?

RING LEADER ➢often deaf but sometimes hearing➢ a homeowner➢ sometimes has many homes (owns or rents) in poor areas of town, or in many different states➢ recruits younger/poorer /less intelligent deaf people who need a place to live – or lure them under false pretenses

How does it work?

➢ if deaf person sells things, can live in the home for free (must earn his/her keep by selling)➢ if not sell “enough” (quota) - less to eat, worse living conditions, sometimes beaten or sexually assaulted➢ usually all profits go to the ring leader.

From where does a ring leader recruit?

▪ welfare/social security office▪ bus stations▪ homeless shelters▪ (article) Mexican church

Not all deaf peddlers are in a peddling ring

Some do it of their own free will, on their own or with a few other peddlers, just for the money.