How Do Deaf People Experience Music? | AJ+
Shaheem Sanchez is a Deaf dancer and instructor with his own method of feeling music's vibrations to learn a song.
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It's a common misconception that Deaf people can't enjoy music. But there's actually a whole community of Deaf dancers and sign language music interpreters. Shaheem is also an instructor at ASL Music Camp, which is making music more accessible to the Deaf community.
Note: When "deaf" is capitalized as "Deaf," it's referencing the Deaf community, an important and empowering distinction to those in the community.
Transcript available in the comments.
Archival photos courtesy of Shaheem Sanchez.
Music tracks courtesy of APM and Audio Networks.
Special thanks: Justin Kirk, Hugo Lopez, ASL Music Camp, Melissa Elmira Yingst
Transcript [Music] [Sirens] [Sound of crosswalk] I identify myself as a Black Deaf woman. Lower Third: Cahlah Chapman, Gallaudet University Senior Cahlah Chapman: I’m Cahlah Chapman. I’m from Washington, DC. I’m a 5th-year student at Gallaudet University. I'm majoring in government and considering two minors: public health sciences and criminal justice. Maybe I'll run for Congress one day. You never know. All Deaf individuals can do everything except hear. Title Card: Untold America Deaf in America Proud to Be Deaf On my first day, I was a little taken aback. I was taking it all in, you know, just introducing myself to people … Lower Third: Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Gallaudet University, Class of ’89 Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: Gallaudet is unique because it's the only one of its kind in the world. I mean, the only one. It's the only university for Deaf people that provides education designed specifically for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. [cheering] Cahlah Chapman: The first time sometimes people meet a Deaf person, they might feel overwhelmed, and then they'll just decide, you know what, I don't even want to engage with this Deaf person. But I am happy to pull out a pen and a piece of paper. I'm ready to communicate with anyone who wants to communicate with me. If there's even a guy who's hitting on me, we can write back and forth. That's fine. I can even navigate the dating scene, writing notes with someone who might be interested in me. So that doesn't bother me at all. Around seven months old, something happened where I had a hearing loss. We’re not sure if it was due to an illness, but after that I became Deaf, and so I began to learn ASL, got a cochlear implant, and that led me to who I am today. I remember when I finally came into the Deaf community, it was in high school and I felt like the Deaf community was something new to me, that there was this whole Deaf world where everyone was signing, you know, everyone was communicating openly and freely with one another. Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: American Sign Language was first began by Deaf people. American Sign Language is our language. Research has shown that many children would benefit from having access to a visual language, be they Deaf or hearing. And it adds a certain dimension to your brain in terms of the way your brain processes language. Gallaudet University was founded in 1864. Fast-forward to 1988. At that time, Gallaudet was 124 years old, and in that 124 years, we had never had a Deaf president lead this institution. Archival footage: “We want a Deaf president now! We want a Deaf president now!” Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: My role 30 years ago has been one that I’ve carried with me throughout that time. Part of Gallaudet’s history, something that we call “Deaf President Now” - DPN - which was a movement that happened here in DC but involved people throughout the country. TEXT: In 1988, Gallaudet University’s board chose a new president. Lower Third: Jane Bassett Spilman, Board of Trustees Archival footage, Jane Bassett Spilman: “We picked Dr. Elizabeth Ann Zinser as the 7th president of Gallaudet.” “Nooooo.” TEXT: Elisabeth Zinser wasn’t deaf and didn’t know American Sign Language. Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: Gallaudet University had to have a Deaf president because that was the whole purpose of the university's establishment in the first place, to advance educational opportunities, to advance the lives of people who were Deaf. Archival footage: “Deaf president now! Deaf president now!” “The world can’t stop us!” Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: We closed the gates of the campus. We get a lot of media attention. We had rallies every day, sometimes two or three times a day, in fact. Archival footage: [cheering] Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: “The effort grew, and it didn't just impact folks here in the United States. It went global, and all of that happened within one short week. We call that, “That’s the week the world heard Gallaudet.” TEXT: After days of protests and national media coverage, Elizabeth Zinser decided to resign. Archival footage, Elizabeth Zinser: “I tendered my resignation last night to pave the way for the Board of Trustees to consider the selection of a president who is hearing impaired.” Lower third: I. King Jordan, First Deaf President, Gallaudet University Archival footage, I. King Jordan: "I am thrilled to accept the invitation from the Board of Trustees to become the president of Gallaudet University." [Cheering] Archival footage: "Today, we can say, is the proudest day in the history of Deaf people." Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: We had won. We won. We had made it happen, you know, all that hard work can result in something that was successful. And we proved that to be the case, that we made this enormous impact. It was incredible. Archival footage, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: "We made the first step. It's not over yet - this is just the beginning. And we'll keep on making steps until we run, and run ahead. Until we succeed!" Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: King had a famous quote: Archival footage, I. King Jordan: “Deaf people can do anything that hearing people can, except hear.” Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: And that quote was shared broadly. Cahlah Chapman: DPN has inspired me, actually. What I learned was that Deaf people really can do anything and everything, and that really inspired me to get involved in politics. Because we don't have any Deaf individual at this time serving in Congress, and I want to be the person that makes that happen. You know, maybe by the time I'm 25, who knows? I'm actually the only Deaf member of my family, so I come from a hearing family. I do remember my mom telling me that when she found out that I was Deaf and had a hearing loss, she was a little taken aback at first. You know, of course there's that grief that you experienced because, you know, she didn't know what to do with a Deaf child. Sometimes I felt lonely and isolated. You know, I was a Deaf student in a hearing classroom and in a hearing environment. I actually went to three different programs for Deaf students. The first that I attended was an oral program. That didn't work out. And then I stopped speech training when I was in middle school because, of course, I was a rebellious teenager at that point, right. Like I didn’t want to use my cochlear implant. I thought I was perfectly fine. I knew who I was, and I didn’t feel like I needed to hear. I didn't do that well in school. I was getting in trouble a lot, I wasn't able to participate and do well in class, finish my homework. But once I got to the school for the Deaf, it was like night and day. Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: Because of the Milan decision back in 1880 [that banned sign language in schools], from that point forward, Deaf education really did not focus at all on sign language. Children were supposed to only focus on spoken language. And so Deaf and hard-of-hearing children who were trying to sign to communicate with one another, using their hands in any way for communication, were punished. TEXT: The inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, was influential on deaf education and suppressed sign language. TEXT: He feared intermarriage in the Deaf community would lead to a “defective human race.” Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: We grew up hearing, seeing stories shared by our parents about them going to work and coming home having experienced discrimination in the workplace. We could see yet how strong our parents were, battling against oppression and making their way in the world, very strong willed and believing that Deaf people could do anything they set their mind to. TEXT: DPN played a critical role in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. TEXT: The ADA requires accommodations like interpreters and wheelchair access. Bridgetta Bourne-Firl: The younger Deaf population, the younger children these days, they don’t know this story and they need to have this story shared with them. It’s true, I don’t hear certain things that those of you who can hear are able to hear. And yet why should that be the focus, on that deficit way of thinking, when instead we could focus on all the good that life brings to people who can’t hear, the amazing things that people who are Deaf have, as opposed to focusing on what it is they don’t have. AJ+ Producer: This video is part of a larger series on the Deaf community. Here are some of the incredible people featured in this series. Follow our Watch page to catch all of these stories on this season of Untold America. And let us know what community we should cover next. Credits: Senior Producer Maggie Beidelman Producers Emily Gibson Jun Stinson Camera / Video Editor Michael Nguyen Animator Marisa Cruz Archive Material Gallaudet University Cahlah Chapman Executive Producer Sarah Nasr Interpreters Kari Bahl Stephanie Baran Candas Barnes Folami Ford Jeffrey Hardison Carolyn Ressler Ariel Pearson Jen Olson Deaf Access Solutions Special Thanks Kati Mitchell Robert Weinstock Story Consultant Melissa Elmira Yingst
I wish join with you .i love song.
@NatNatcho lol
I so stuck...I can feel the music before i hear it.....I'm not deaf...but ppl think I'm crazy for dancing in sign language or whatever I'm doing..it's amazing to me so I'm gonna keep doing. You're amazing...
“I’m proud to be deaf because I don’t have to hear the negativity around me” amazing
That auntie like really annoying I wish I can’t hear her voicesses
@@reveluvlp1714 you know I'm deaf are as hard my life lose hope😔💔
That's what's up bro much love and respect to you. 💯
I really enjoyed this. The world needs to become more accessible to those who are deaf and also blind. Side note: he seems like a really sweet fun person with a great spirit.
He talks better than mumble rappers
HAHAHAHA 😂 ESPECIALLY THAT HE LOOKS LIKE ONE
Mos def, haha!
Deadass tho 😂
Yes.
Like who
This guy's energy is amazing 💜
Made me realize how much I take my hearing for granted. Thank you for sharing his perspective.
Exactly, having good hearing is basically a privilege and I’ve learned that over the past year ever since I started having tinnitus and signs of beginning to go deaf. Protect your ears, hearing clearly is one of the most precious things in the world.
This deaf America series is so enlightening. I love it. Keep Em coming
Huh, I'm deaf myself I don't feel my through my feat but instead the bones in my head. I am deaf in my ears but not my skull structure and I can "hear" things but it is muffled as it would be normally
Just found this tonight. My son can’t speak though he can hear so when he was a month old I learned a few signs. And now he’s gonna be 6 years old next month and knows 60 signs. He’s not deaf but he can communicate with ASL. And he loves music and loves to dance and play music on a keyboard. It’s truly amazing how music is so influential and motivating. Thanks for showing us a different avenue! Much love!!!
Studies show that kids benefit more from visual languages than they do hearing, helps them learn faster! Congratulations!
It's funny, I guess, kind of ironic maybe, but I find his voice extremely pleasant to listen to. The way his tongue clicks sometimes gives me a bit of ASMR.
Love this video very inspiring! We need more off this beauty in our world.
Wowwwww...I am so speechless. His grace, poise, and majesty are so beautiful. His little brother is so blessed to have a deaf big brother who dances to change the world!
HIs usage of ASL during his dancing makes me think of the usage of mudras in classical Indian dance.
Wow when I turned off the audio to focus on the visuals I could see how expressive he was and how vibrantly I could feel the signs expressed his ideas! ASL is so cool :D
So inspirational my brother is deaf and extremely smart
Love this guy's optimism and vibe. So positive. There's a KZheadr that goes by the name "ewitty" that has been posting asl dance videos for about decade. Would be cool to see a collab!
I've been waiting forever for AJ+ to cover Shaheem! Thank you! He is absolutely incredible
Awesome, I didn't know that deaf people can enjoy music until I saw it on Bruce Springsteen's tour in Amsterdam. It makes me feel good to know that deaf people can enjoy music like nondeaf people, I have the feeling that they enjoy it even more.
Thank you so much for educating the hearing community. I was enjoying some hard beats last night and was feeling bad for def people cos I thought they were missing out on the best connections ever. But hey, I am at peace now and very happy to know that we are one when it comes to music. I can hear but I don't hear beats. I feel it!!!
The production on this is great! You guys did a phenomenal job :)
So many of us take some much of our lives for granted and never stop to appreciate not just the subtle beauty of life but even some things so impactful and emotional like the vibrations of music. Most of us just listen to the sounds but these people who don't have that sense to hear the music are still able to appreciate the vibrations of the sounds. They can steal FEEL the meaning behind the beats, they're just more in tune with other senses that still allow them to have the experience that music provides. You see you don't need to have the same things other people have to still get the meaning or experience out of something, and that's something I think most of us have been ignorant to for most of our lives. We strive to acquire things we don't have just because we want them. When you realize that you don't need those things you want and you can still experience the sensation those things offer without them, that's when you start to appreciate all that you do have in life. That's when you learn that you just might have enough or even more then what you need and that there's no real reason to craving things just because you want them.
This guy has the most immaculate vibes i have ever seen and I enjoyed watching him move so much. Thanks for the good vibes, sir
I'm a dancer, and I'm studying asl. I love the visuality of asl it's beautiful and the movement is as fantastic as most dance I see. It means so much to be able to feel music, and vibe with it. I feel most happy when I can feel music while I dance. I can only imagine how it feels when you're not just hearing the lyrics, but you're feeling the music.
Deaf people experience music just like anyone else. Keep doing your thing. I'm the same way. I have one 👂 that I can hear out of and the other one is dead. So I know where you coming from. People be surprised what we can do.
❤️👍🏽I'm deaf but I can talk, makes for interesting conversations...lol, my favorite part is when he explains music, I can feel the music and if the song is from growing up I remember. I live in a different world but it's my world and I love it... Shout out "Shaheem Sanchez"
I love this guy
Most early I have been to a video. Love this quality content.
This guy is cute and then he says he wants to help people.... That is what we're on this earth to do! I think I'm in love.
For 60 years I have danced and signed for my deaf friends. I am so happy to see someone who loves this too. Hearing people don't get it..... except me. Since I am old now I do want I call dubsign. ASL beautiful language.... it's dance to me.
This channel gives the hearing community good insight, builds positive communication to see things from a different perspective.
this guy's story is so inspirational, i hope that every deaf people out there are doing great, don't let the negativity get to you!!
Wow!!! I didn’t know he was your brother! Y’all are being amazing.
So informative. Thank you, *everyone* deserves to follow their dreams. ♡
I would LOVE to see Shaheem’s dream come true! As a performer myself who is learning ASL, that would be amazinggg 😍🤩
I learned a lot from you! Thank you for sharing your incredible work and lifestofy with me, friend.
Im now very inspired to make sure my music is more accessible to deaf people. It is amazing to find out that there is a community of deaf people who enjoy music and want to experience it live. I’ve always felt live music is a true experience more so than simply hearing the recording of a song and now this has confirmed it!
I love this 💙👏🏾truely inspirational I mean dude can dance better than I ever will
Amazing,wonderful, loving and fantastic. That's a few words to describe this amazing young man. Oh and gorgeous. Love the comment he can't hear the negative around him. He's a wonderful dancer too.
This warms my heart
Love Shaheem!! Never saw this interview before! Amazing! 🥰
Wow! Awesome testimony! God has surely Blessed you!
Who else had tears in their eyes listening to him?
I'm very impressed with attitude. He doesn't see limits. He sees opportunities and that's why he's grest dancer. You're amazing.
His ideas of dancing in sign language are just so good....... both on-stage dancing and viral videos (just look at Tiktok, people love dances). I DO HOPE these things grow over time, besides, this guy seems so lighthearted, I wish him the best.
I love this guy. He’s a great dancer and a very clear signer and an innovator changing the world. 🥰🙏🏼👍🤟
Wow, what an amazing piece! I loved it :)
This was awesome an awesome episode!
wöw! i’m so impressed & inspired, you’re amazing
I am about to begin a journey in opening my own dance school and would was looking into dance for people who are deaf. You have shown me a way to do this, thank you so much. I would like to share your video to others in my classes if that’s okay x
love this guy first vid I've watch ❤
This dope asf..!!!! Inspirational 💯🙏🏾
ASL dancing is such a brilliant idea, it's like if dancing had lyrics.
Absolutely yes to all of this 🙌🏾💯
respect for raheem he is so talented and positive minded a big example for the world
Appreciate it bro,positive thinking
Keep going what you can do and never say I can't do it! Enjoy watch you!
remarkable talent and spirit. Best of luck to you, sir!
Man..I just love this.
This guy is sooo awesome!!
Love his energy fr
Awesome video. Great information and great stories
this is one of the nicest video i have ever watched on youtube
He is an inspiration not just to deaf people but to all. So cool.
amazingggg!!!!!!!! thank you soooooo so so much
thanks for exposing this!
My homie is deaf too. he loves music too, well he has impaired hearing and speaks well. Well I got used to him with time and I learnt sign language with time. Deaf community are cool not as bad people as think
Inspiring!!!
Great job! I’m a deaf musician - bass guitar - and it has been a challenge but not impossible to do.
let's just acknowledge the fact that he is too gorgeous #WoW
Fantastic series! As an australian I know only some Auslan (Australian sign language) and interesting to see what signs are similar and totally different. The 'symbolic' signs (deaf, help, which/either) are very similar, but the fingerspelling is totally different in ASL! Great reminder that deaf communities have developed their own identities and languages around the world - for example, British and Australian sign languages (two hand finger spelling) are in a different "family" to French and American (one hand finger spelling) sign languages. It would be fantastic if your series would reflect this global diversity! I'm very aware that Deaf folks in Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries also have their own regional sign languages and Deaf cultures, but I never hear (ha) about them and would be keen to see them represented, especially where Deaf communities don't have the same recognition and rights as in the USA, which is comparatively progressive on Deaf inclusion following Gallaudet's activism.
This dude is such an inspiration
He's so inspirational
I love his personality and his hair
A good dancer is not the one that can hear the music, but the one that can feel it.
Hi!!!😄 only 3 weeks ago I started learning ASL in my community college and on my way home I tried practicing some sign with the music on the radio and thought 💡if anyone’s thought of actually signing and dancing !? But I’m hearing and not deaf so wanted to first get a sense of what music is like for the deaf community? I’m glad to learn that music is still enjoyed and dance and excited to continue to learn andshare and hope this reaches out to more people , this is beautiful ♥️
That would be so cool to have back-up dancers who can sign in asl! I hope you make it a reality!
This video was super good!!!!
I found Shaheem on tik tok first and he’s awesome to watch! Also very funny! 👍🏼💗
Wow, this video alone changed the way I view deafness.
Liked and subscribed... thanks for the videos.
I would love to see him ASL-Dancing to "In My Feelings"
This giuy is Amazingly awesome 😊😍💖
Amazing I support🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
you got that right sir... and theres lots negative these days. i love how you think
Beautiful!
His voice is so soothing wth
I recommend holding on to the body of a violin while music is playing. You'll feel the vibrations through it far more than you would through your body.
I just wanna say I love his voice
Wow this guy is amazing
Awesome!!!
Your so beautiful God bless you keep doing what your doing I watch you tiktok
I love his story ❤️❤️❤️
I hope he reaches his goals
So inspiring
What an amazing guy xxx
This is so damn cool
O M G WOW!
AMAZING
This is so cool. I would love to learn how to dance with ASL.
Is this guy single btw? I'll learn ASL for him!