Hey SADA!
So far, November has been plentiful with opportunities to go out to events related to the Deaf community in and around Austin.
Of course, I couldn’t hit up every single event going on recently, but Mashaal and I did make it out to the Texas Book Festival to see Marlee Matlin’s presentation. She presented about her most recently authored book, Leading Ladies.
Marlee began writing her books inspired by her childhood dream to write a book telling the world it is ok to be Deaf. Her books follow the story of Meagan, a young Deaf girl who grows up in a predominately hearing centered world. At the book festival, Marlee read from a chapter of the new book. I haven’t read any of her books yet, but someday when I come out from under the piles of reading I am a slave to for school, I will definitely try to put them on my reading list. Reading for my personal enjoyment? What’s that?
Anyways, Marlee takes a lot of flack from the cutlural Deaf community at large for some choices that she has made in the past, such as using her voice at the Academy Awards way back when I was still a in diapers. I know there are also a lot of feelings that go around about her fame, wealth, etc. There’s definitely always been some sense of crab theory in the Deaf community. I understand since I feel there are many talented Deaf actors out there who have probably been overlooked since Marlee is somewhat of the “go-to” girl when Hollwood needs a Deaf actress. But despite all of the various opinions about her–love her or hate her–I met her in person at the book festival. I found her to be very humble, sweet, and generally open to questions. She really wanted questions from kids. One little girl asked her if she had a husband, to which Marlee replied, “Yes, I have a husband, and he is a police officer.”
After the talk, another little boy asked her if she ever had any “mean friends.” It was so cute. I took my picture with her at the book signing and chatted it up with various people while waiting in line, including the current Miss Deaf Texas, Katherine Murch. (Picture coming soon…)
One last note, I also met Marlee’s personal interpreter and production manager, Jack Jason. I love his name–it just sounds like it pops and belongs in Hollwood…Jack Jason! *Jazz hands* He was totally cool as well. They met some 20-something years ago when he first began interpreting for her in New York, and they have worked together ever since. I have to say, he has a pretty sweet job since he gets to travel the world with her for business trips. I think I would totally be willing to take on an interpreting job like that. So if anyone is planning to become famous/well-noted and will need an awesome interpreter to travel around with…remember my name!
–Annie :D
