UFO Backing Off Cartoon

Here is a cartoon that I drew and submitted to SIGNews. Yes, it was published not a long ago. I believe it was in its November 2007 issue. I picked that watercolor cartoon because it made me think of a recently controversial term – audism. What does it mean? According to Tom Humphries, audism is “the notion that one is superior based on one’s ability to hear or behave in the manner of one who hears.” I like his awesome quote. Basically with my understanding, audism means prejudice or discrimination against deaf people by hearing or even deaf people. Lately, there have been hot issues about Deafies experiencing discrimination, oppression, and inequality. So how is that term related to my cartoon? Well, this cartoon does not exactly indicate audism. But just for fun, I questioned an UFO’s attitude toward a deaf earthling. When one of ladies in that cartoon was abducted by that unknown flying object, a frightened deaf lady made a gesture showing that she was deaf and could not hear. The UFO was startled by her signs and suddenly freed that lady. Incredibly, the UFO just left and disappeared without hurting her or abducting her. Why did the UFO let her go? Simply because she was deaf? Was the UFO treating or seeing her differently due to her deafness? Did the UFO feel that a hearing person was better to kidnap?? Audism? You be the judge. Lol.

Hope you enjoy this cartoon. Peace—Shawn