Touched By Junius Wilson

After outlining my thoughts about the book, I thought I would like to begin this blog with my expectations before I read it. I was expecting to hear a personal tragedy of a deaf black man that had lost his life over misunderstanding. But, the book began with explaining that his personal story could not be shared due to the language and communication barriers. Initially, I was disappointed but then, this also impacted me tremendously. The power of communication is so critical for someone to be heard. I realized that the authors should be credited for their efforts in giving Junius Wilson his voice that was taken from him years ago. It is clear that it took intensive research and time to present important information and events of Junius’s life.

Right at the beginning, it truly sickened me to read about white privileges and behavior towards the African Americans through time. It made me almost ashamed of myself as a white person, although I’m a strong advocate of multiculturalism and sensitive towards people of different background. In the beginning, the book discussed about the newspaper company that was run by African Americans, The Daily Record, I am reminded of the Cherokee story in Georgia. During my undergraduate studies, I did a research about the Cherokees because my great great grandmother on my dad's side was Cherokee and Blackfoot and my great great grandfather on my mom's side was a Cherokee. They all were from Georgia as well. The Cherokees were prosperous and successful in Georgia like the African Americans in North Carolina. They held political position, ran newspaper, became doctors and owned slaves as well. They saw how white people were successful in owning lands and such. They felt they needed to keep up with them in order to be respected and left alone. Then, the white people of Georgia were fearful of them taking over the whole state, hence the trail of tears. The quote, History Repeats Itself could not ring any truer than this. It seems to be so senseless and cruel but how could it not seem that way to them back then? That is something I cannot fathom at all.

When they described Junius Wilson and James McNeil’s life in the institution, I was truly fascinated with the fact that they were able to function well as businessmen. They had no training or business operations were not taught to them, yet they are able to make sales and gather money somehow. This brings in the question of language defining a person’s intelligence. Oftentimes, we look down on those that cannot communicate, read, or write. We do not look at their abilities to function for survival, for leisure, and imagine their perspective based on their behavior and whatnot. This brings my dad into my mind when I thought about intelligence and language. My deaf father did not have language access until he was 15. He was diagnosed with spinal meningitis at the age of two and within recover; he was diagnosed with mental retardation. Until he was eight, they finally discover that he was just deaf. And, he enrolled in kindergarten without knowing his name, the alphabetic, or the color labels. He struggled throughout until he enrolled in deaf school at fifteen. He finally learned ASL and understood a little better academic wise. But, he was already delayed in English and ASL. He was never able to have opportunity to be taught about things, to read and write, and so on. However, he went on to become successful in life by being a hard workingman that provided everything for his family. He bought a home, owned a car, and became very financially secured. Although he cannot really read or write well, he is the smartest man I know. Again, this brings in the question of language defining intelligence. I do believe it is important to read and write for survival and leisure. But, it does not define a person’s ability or comprehension of the world because you cannot see what is inside their heads. This applies to Junius and James. I really wish I could see inside their minds and how they view the world during that time. I’m almost sure that they thought of things that we would have thought of or maybe the things we never would have thought of.

During the time of segregation and desegregation, it was a confusing period for all races, gender, and age. Now, I am thinking about all the deaf people during that time; white and black, green and purple and whatnot. They must have been so confused and scared, especially with limited language access. They probably struggled with understanding the point of segregation and desegregation because nearly no one would take the time to explain or had no way of explaining due to limited communication abilities. For Junius and James, they must have had so much questions that they pondered on such as the reason for their stay in the institution and desegregation. It was difficult for me to read throughout the book as a deaf person. I struggle with the thought of not being able to express my feelings, thoughts, and gather information about my life and everything around me. I just cannot imagine the limitations and inability to live freely as a normal person. I was thinking that I would slowly die inside as a person. Then, I thought about how amazing it is to see those two men still laugh and find ways to enjoy their presence in the world by participating and interacting with staffs and people. They made the best of their environment and that is so impressive.

Throughout the court proceeding and guardianship controversy, I found myself feeling that Junius should stay at the cottage although he had lost his life to the hospital and should be granted his freedom. But, the fact that he had no way of communicating with his hearing family and has never associated with them pushed me over to the hospital’s side. I have heard and read about those who were imprisoned or institutionalized and when they returned to the real world, they struggled and became lost. I felt Junius was already lost and found his way already by accommodating to the hospital and his life. And, to make him lose his way again will just take away his genuine soul. The cottage gave him some freedom and security. And, people around him have grown to love him so much. Junius deserved that much. It was interesting to see my perspective change throughout the book, whereas in the beginning I hated the hospital and sympathized with the family then, in the end, I appreciated the hospital and disappointed in the family.

I have several questions, especially for the family. I do not understand Carrie Gill, his sister. Why wouldn’t she be involved or testify? It’s her brother. I also wondered about the cousin, Andre Branch. What were his true intentions? Was it really Junius he cared about or the money? Also, there was a mention of Black Sign Language, which I found so fascinating. I wanted to know in detail about the difference between that communication system and ASL. I wondered whether there was intensive research about that certain sign system and its history.

All in all, the story was not what I expected; yet so very impacting. Everyone goes on with their lives, never knowing about some stories that lingers in this world that are profound and perhaps, cruel. We turn a blind eye and pretend that those things do not happen. In my deaf world, I am aware of discrimination and audism. But, deaf and mental institution never came to my knowledge. This is the first story I have heard related to deafness and mental institution. And, it will stay with me.