Dialing into the Past: Alexander Graham Bell, Eugenics, and Shaping Historical Memory
Brian H. Greenwald, PhD Gallaudet University
Wed, 10/23 · 4:30 pm—6:00 pm · A17 Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building
Program in Linguistics and the American Sign Language Program
Alexander Graham Bell is widely celebrated for his invention of the telephone, but his involvement in the American Eugenics movement remains a lesser-known aspect of his legacy. Yet, Bell is vilified in the signing Deaf community for his support for oralism and sought to dissuade Deaf people from marrying each other. This presentation explores the tension between his innovative contributions to science, his involvement with the Deaf community, and his role in the eugenics movement that reveals a complex legacy. By examining Bell’s role in science, eugenics and the Deaf community, we confront the challenge of reconciling these contrasting aspects in shaping our understanding of historical figures.
Brian H. Greenwald, PhD is Professor of History and Director of the Drs. John S. & Betty J. Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center at Gallaudet University. He is co-editor of two books and has presented widely on topics in American Deaf history. Funded by a National Science Foundation grant, the Schuchman Center is currently at work on producing a film about the Deaf test subjects’ participation in the early years of NASA history.
No ASL knowledge required. Interpretation will be provided.
