Until today he has been a much misunderstood human being, something quite different from the rest of mankind. Even now he is shunned and isolated as a useless member of society, a pariah. His more fortunate brothers contrive to have as little to do with him as possible, and when they cannot pass him by they tolerate him from business interests, policy or unavoidable necessity, rarely from any inclination to take him to their bosoms as an intimate companion or as a close friend.

Occasionally you will come across an unusually bright, intelligent deaf-mute who awakens your interest and sympathy, but the slow, cumbersome difficulties of conversing with him stand as an unsurmountable barrier against free and equal companionship. In consequence, you drive him into seeking the society of his fellow unfortunates, for it is only among this class that he finds himself on comparative equality. When this happens you frown upon him for his peculiar "clannishness."

His misfortunes are multiplied by the unnatural methods used to thrust upon him a sort of "education," methods that stunt and warp his character by isolating him, while still young and helpless, in the institutions and schools built for him and his kind.

His peculiarities and grotesque characteristics are created by you--one of the fortunates blessed with speech. They are caused by your ignorance of the real situation and by your unintentional neglect of his crying needs. You must not add indifference to the list of your faults--it would be unworthy of you. In the past you have been constantly deceived by his outward appearance, by sophistries handed to you by so-called experts, well-meaning but ignorant philanthropists, and by parasites who thrive and fatten on his misfortunes. You are also deceived by the quietude of the victim himself who is usually unable to present his grievances convincingly.

I realize the stupendous task I am assuming in raising as mighty an uproar as lies in the power of the very limited language at my command. This uproar has to be proportioned to the enormity of the wrong we, the deaf, suffer. Perhaps the louder, the sooner, heard the quicker our SOS may be answered.

I shall make no apologies for the unpleasant disclosures I am going to make; call it muck-raking if you will, but the muck is of your own spreading, though done quite unconsciously and unintentionally. Most assuredly it is up to each of you to do your part in clearing it out. Nobody can do it single-handedly. All that lies in my power is to call your attention to its presence.

I need not, and will not try, to mince matters or gloss over the festering sores out of respect for false propriety. Neither shall I consider anyone's superficial sensibilities. In this matter I care neither for approbation nor censure. The need of the situation transcends the personal interests of any individual or group.