Feedback on GLAD Report

From: Disability Watch - Jun 9, 2003

Feedback on GLAD Report May 31, 2003

By Tom Willard

Every time I send out a report about GLAD (the Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness), I am fortunate to receive feedback from people all over the country. I thought you might enjoy reading the comments I received since my most recent report went out last week. I would like to thank those who have taken time to respond to my postings, as well as USA-L News and Deaf California News for sharing my write-ups. (You can check out my previous reports on www.deafy.com).

I've been asked several times, why don't I sue GLAD? For a number of reasons. First, GLAD operates under an "at will" employment policy, which means they can fire someone for any reason or no reason at all, as long as discrimination is not involved. As a white male, it would be hard for me to claim discrimination. (I do believe that GLAD favors women and gay men but it would be difficult to prove in court). Another reason is that GLAD gets millions of dollars from the government and does not hestitate to use this money to defend itself in the legal arena. I'm just a little guy and don't want to spend all my money on legal expenses, not do I want to see this case dragged out for many years. And I notice that many of the former employees who sued GLAD have won their cases or settled out of court, but are burdened for the rest of their lives with gag orders that prevent them from saying anything about GLAD. One slip of the tongue, years later, and they may have to pay an onerous penalty to GLAD. I, on the other hand, can say whatever I want about GLAD as long as its true or represents my educated opinion. Basically, I am speaking out on behalf of all those who cannot.

Anyway, I will sign off and let you read the recent feedback below. As always, feel free to contact me at tomwillard99@aol.com with anything you'd like to share.

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I really always enjoy reading ur comments about GLAD. :-) U really always have so funny words that always make me giggle and laugh out loud. Bless ur sweet loving heart!! I truly always love ur frankly truth what u've seen in the past. :-) Some ppl dont like ppl who are frankly honest with themselves. I always believe in helping the others with great love, honest and justice. :-) I see that u and I are similiar in that area. I dont believe in favorism of friends, but honest and justice with great love. Of course with wisdom. :-) I can see all those in u. That's great!! :-) hugs hugs ILY forever xoxo :-)

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Glad to hear you are home safe with family and an environment you feel comfy in....:-)) I just HADDA respond to this.....NO, you are not the only one who finds it ironic that Deaf Human service people are vicious. It's one of the reasons I got out of it...This aint no SERVICE field! GLAD is prolly the only Deaf Service Org I know of that not only competes, but controls as well. I hope the new exec director at least makes some positive attitude changes

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May I respectfully suggest that you put GLAD behind you and start your new life in Rochester? Whatever the merits of your original concerns with GLAD, the reality is that your reports have become blatantly one-sided. Now that you're not even in Los Angeles, I don't think that you can be considered a credible primary source of information. Change doesn't happen overnight, not at GLAD, not anywhere. Why not give the new CEO a chance?

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Thanks for writing a report about GLAD and it made all senses to me. I haven't gone to GLAD headquarter, or heard anything from it, or received the GLAD magazines, etc. I seems to forget that there is an organization exists. Sad to say it. But, when I read your report and I admitted that I agree with you mostly. Even though, I do not know your backgrounds very well but I just know that you are telling the facts. And, I buy it from you easily, smile. I really admire your intelligent. (Did you know that I first thought that you were a hearing person?) That was because your writing is an eminent scholar. That was my poorly assumption and it taught me to realize that anyone regardless of the degree of hearing can be an eminent scholar. (I am still learning, heh).

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Hi... Once again... your report (and the previous report) was read and robustly enjoyed. Like the effect a good reporter is supposed to have when they shine the light of publicity on the roach nest, you are really keeping these people squirming... and preventing them from operating in the dark (as much as you can). Best... p.s. Again, pls do not respond. I am simply posting my admiration and support for your effort.

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Welcome back to the East Coast. Things sometimes do seem a little saner out here than they do in LA. Your assessment of Marcella Meyer was on the button, but you are much too kind. Marcella's penchant for black-balling people is very well known and she has always used her "in-your-face" intimidating style to make sure you knew who was supposed to be black-balled, and if you didn't toe the line, you'd be black-balled yourself. I often wonder how GLAD ever had any success, given the fact that she was personally so unpopular among the deaf in LA. Brown-nosing the board was one way she stayed in power, I'm sure. Oh, boy, Marcella is back in the GLAD offices looking over Patty's shoulder. Fireworks guaranteed - put your money down and sit back for the show!!! On the surface, Patty may seem timid and uncertain at times, but don't be fooled. ... Patty is one tough lady and I'm sure a day will come when she tells the GLAD Board that Marcella must vacate the premises posthaste or she will. Marcella is a total busybody and there's no way she will keep her nose out of important decisions that should be Patty's alone, and then have the gall to claim credit for it as well. Is there anyone out there in LA who can take over this long-running saga of yours and continue the story as I'd be really interested in seeing the outcome of this odd arrangement. Thanks for an entertaining and enjoyable story.

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I enjoy reading your articles through the Deaf News and the Deafy site. ... I want to compliment on your wonderful job in reporting news to us, especially all deaf people who don't live in Calif and may like to know what happens there. I know it is not easy for some people to "tell and show" everything in spite of the majority's disagreements. I appreciate your willing to share the news with us. Guess what, I used the Glad's activities and your news for my research project for a managerial communications course last term. Interesting, the students expressed their disbelief about the Glad's attitudes to the deaf community but overall, we enjoyed our debates on how to solve the disputes so forth. Also, I want to say, A Big Warm Welcome back to the East! to you and your family. Keep your writing up!!!! I admire your guts, your wit and your dare to share whatever is going on with us. Thank you very much for your great writing job!

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I do immensely enjoy reading all your tidbits about GLAD. I used to be on GLAD's voting representative. It seems to me much change have evolved over the years.

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Tom, I have been enjoying your articles on GLAD. They are hard-hitting and zero in on what I consider stifling paternalism demonstrated by deaf and hearing people in social service agencies. They lord it over you and think they are doing you a favor by even giving you the time of the day. I hate to say this, but I notice it in many state and national organizations of deaf people. I get rather tired of those lofty goals of these organizations when in practice they are more concerned about their own agendas. I try hard not to be cynical because we need these organizations. We have many enough battles to fight without having to deal with self-serving CEO's. I remember reading somewhere where one was asked to define indispensability. The guy says "If you want to know if you are indispensable, get a bucket of water and put your arm in it. When you withdraw your arm and there is a hole in the water, you'll know you are indispensable". You write so well that I hope you find an avenue in Rochester for your God-given talent. At any rate, we wish you and your wife the best of luck in making a good life in Rochester!

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I enjoy reading them! They are enlightening and sometimes entertaining (considering how the ones you're writing about "behave"). I consider you a brave person, because you speak out. I've always been nervous to do that (regardless of my environment), for fear I'd lose something as a result. (My job, my dignity, my temper.)

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GLAD's "brunch at the House of Blues" is a regular GOSPEL Brunch (black people on stage singing foursquare fundamentalist Christian baptist songs). EVERY Sunday, the seating times are 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. There is no need to pay a whopping $100.00 per person for the House of Blues Gospel Brunch, because the REAL costs, available to anyone on ANY Sunday are actually:

Adults (13 years old and up), 33.00 Children (5 - 12 years old),16.50 Children under 5 (must still reserve a ticket), free Adults (Closed Circuit Viewing), 27.00 Adults (Partial View), 30.00

All prices include tax and gratuity. Tickets are subject to all applicable service charges. Shows are subject to change without advance notice.

The Gospel Brunch is great, but not so terrific for deaf people because the brunch area itself is EXTREMELY dark (so dark that you can't see the food very well). People push through a crowded dark room to get their food which is in several areas of the dark main room, and then they bring their food to long tables, They eat for the first hour, and then watch the show on the main stage (which is loud enough for deaf people to hear, even without hearing aids) for the next hour. Then everyone is herded out of the door immediately, so they can set up for the next show. ANYONE can go on any Sunday to the Gospel Brunch, if they make advance reservations. Location: House of Blues® Sunset Strip, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, telephone :: 323.848.5100. Tickets available only through HOB Sunset Strip Box Office, call :: 323.848.5100.

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I am with you at being puzzled at how mean people in social services can be. A lot of things have puzzled me over the years. I keep thinking I was lucky to have been mentored by Fred Schreiber back in the late '60's and early '70's. He was a very caring person. I never forgot my first NAD Convention (did not call them conferences in those days!) where I noticed that Fred would be the only officer who would be down in the lobby talking with anyone and everyone. The others would be upstairs in their "private" room talking with one another. It made a profound impression on me. I never forgot it. As a consequence, the "leaders" came to hate me and the people out there loved me. You already know where the power lies.

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I am impressed with your articles pertaining to GLAD. In this country we embrace the myth that we are still a democracy when we know that we are not a democracy (voted by the few to represent the majority). We are not free because many Deaf agencies does not serve us but subjugates us. Although we give lip service to the notion of freedom to choose for the best, we know the agencies serving for the deaf are no longer the servant of the Deaf people but, at last has become people's master.

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I read your story on GLAD via USA-L News. As you claimed that you were so unreasonably terminated from your job in GLAD and so unfairly treated by GLAD, why didn't you file a lawsuit to sue GLAD? What held you back? By the way, I pray that you and your family in Rochester area have a better life than before.

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Your 19 May 2003 e-update came while I was away, otherwise I'd have acknowledged sooner. Thanks for keeping me on your list -- and for speaking out. It does this Shetland pony-sized old war-horse good to see you still bucking and kicking.... Pursuant to your penultimate paragraph: Nah, it's not just you. There are many of us "out there" in the same situation -- and of the same mind. We just haven't the flair with words, nor the time and the energy (or do I really mean "the guts"?), nor for some of us the youth, to do what you do. Fare thee well.

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Thanks for keeping us abreast of the incidents at GLAD. The way you expressed your words sure made me laugh. I could not believe that that former CEO with high school education is back in order to consult a Ph.D. CEO. You are sure one of the bravest persons I've ever known. Good luck on your new life back home in Rochester, NY.