Antonelli Briceño

Why even invite an interpreter if you have no intention of utilizing her?

thedailywhat:

This Is All Kinds Of Wrong of the Day: Even though the Super Bowl was officially the most watched TV program in US history, one person at Lucas Oil Stadium was completely invisible to viewers: Miss Deaf America Rachel Mazique.

Mazique, a representative of the National Association of the Deaf, was invited to sign both the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” as Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, and Blake Shelton belted the words.

Unfortunately, as Mazique was not placed near the singers during the performance, her signing was not shown on television nor, reportedly, on the stadium’s jumbotron.

The University of Texas Ph.D student, who has been an inspiration to many in the deaf community, says she was “very disappointed” at having missed an opportunity “to showcase ‘America the Beautiful’ and the national anthem in ASL on television.”

NAD has launched a petition through change.org demanding an apology from NBC and the NFL.

“I truly hope that this becomes a teachable moment for everyone involved,” Mazique said, “and that American Sign Language renditions of these iconic songs are broadcast in future Super Bowls rather than being a token gesture.”

[dailyherald.]