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Dominique Fishback Shares Her Motivation To Learn Sign Language As A Black Woman
Actress Dominique Fishback is restoring faith in humanity after revealing the significant reason behind her decision to learn sign language.
Fishback, who has been involved in the entertainment industry for nearly a decade, is recognized by many for her groundbreaking performances in The Hate U Give, Project Power, Judas and the Black Messiah, Swarm, etc.
To date, the 32-year-old is currently starring in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts alongside actors Anthony Ramos and Tobe Nwigwe. While the trio was promoting the film recently, Fishback shared that she knows how to communicate with others using sign language and that she learned how to sign while attending college in New York many years ago.
According to the University of Washington, sign language is a form of communication through symbols and gestures "commonly used" by individuals that are deaf. The site also states sign language is not universal and that depending on where a person is located, they would have to learn the appropriate language. American sign language (ASL) is frequently used within the United States.
Dominique On Why She Learned Sign Language
\u201cThis is such a beautiful reason to learn ASL omg\u201d— j a d a (@j a d a) 1686361522
During the June discussion, which has since gone viral, Fishback disclosed the reason why she learned sign language stemmed from her personal experience of being a "Black person" and having to navigate in spaces where no one is "forced to understand" where she came from.
The Deuce star would add that those instances in her life motivated her to figure out how it must feel for those that are deaf and how they adjust to life without having people accommodating them because it isn't enforced.
"I'm going to be very honest as a Black person having to go into other areas where nobody is forced to like understand where I come from, I wondered what it would be like to not be able to hear and feel like you have to kind of navigate the world and nobody is forced to navigate with you because they don't have to,” she explained. “So I said, ‘If I learn sign language, maybe that could be helpful to other people.’"
Further into the interview, Fishback recalled an event that involved a mother and her young child while working at the concession stand at a movie theater. The Night Comes On actress shared that the mother verbally ordered popcorn, and when Fishback asked if she wanted some butter, the woman apologized and said she was deaf.
Fishback would respond by using the appropriate gestures to rephrase the question. When the woman saw that Fishback knew sign language, she was shocked and told her daughter, who immediately became excited.
"I worked at the movie theater, and this woman came in. She spoke to me, she said, 'Can I have popcorn? So I turned and said, 'You want butter on your popcorn?' She goes, 'Oh, I'm sorry, and she says I'm deaf.' I said, 'I'm sorry you want butter on your popcorn?' ( signing) She was like [gasps]. She told her daughter that she was very excited," Fishback recalled.
Dominique On Another Instance Where She Used Sign Language
This isn't the only occasion Fishback has opened up about her passion for using sign language to help bring people together.
In a March interview with Jimmy Kimmel Live, Fishback revealed that as she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party that same month, she had to interpret a conversation for Creed III star Jonathan Majors when a deaf fan came up to the actor and wanted to talk to him about his performance in the film.
"A deaf person actually came to talk to him [Jonathan Majors] about his performance in Creed III, and I've been learning sign language in college. That was a couple years ago. So I didn't know how much I remembered, but he didn't know, so I ended up interpreting for him... I love sign language," Fishback said.
When asked if she took any classes to learn sign language, Fishback explained that besides taking a course while in school, she also searched online for free ASL classes in New York and found one at a Mormon church, which she attended weekly.
"It was a class that I took. I also ended up googling a free ASL class in New York City, and I found one in a Mormon church on 14th Street in New York. They do free lessons on Tuesdays, so I just went there," Fishback stated.
Fishback using her past experiences to learn sign language and help bridge a gap in any way she can is an inspirational tale for us all.
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Shaunie Henderson Says Creating 'Basketball Wives' Was A 'Matter Of Survival'
Before Shaunie Henderson married Pastor Keion D. Henderson, she was married to NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, and they share six children. However, the former couple was officially divorced in May 2011, a year after the first season ofBasketball Wivespremiered. While the reality TV show, which chronicled the lives of women who were exes or current girlfriends/ wives of basketball players, had a lot of people tuned in, it also faced a lot of criticism. One of the criticisms was the portrayal of the women on the show who, at times, were fighting with each other.
However, in our exclusive interview with Shaunie, the Undefeated author said the show was created out of necessity.
"We just tend to tear our own people up for whatever reason. When I started Basketball Wives, it was really a matter of survival for me. I was in desperation mode. I needed the show to be successful because I had to figure out how I was going to live and provide a life for my children," she said. "Basketball Wives is a platform and it is a space for women to have the freedom to be and say and do what represents them. And what that is, is their decision, right? I just provided the platform for it to happen.
She also explained that she wanted to help other women financially by having a platform that will give them access to opportunities.
"I knew that I had lost my voice before, and I wanted to provide a space to ensure that other women didn’t lose theirs. Again, what they decided to do with the camera time and who they decided to show up as is on them, but here's the platform, and I think for many women, it has been just that. It’s boosted them into a space in their life where they're able to make money and branch out into other opportunities that they may not have had otherwise."
"I knew that I had lost my voice before, and I wanted to provide a space to ensure that other women didn’t lose theirs. Again, what they decided to do with the camera time and who they decided to show up as is on them, but here's the platform, and I think for many women, it has been just that. It’s boosted them into a space in their life where they're able to make money and branch out into other opportunities that they may not have had otherwise."
Basketball Wives: LA Cast. L-R: Jac'Eil Duckworth, Brooke Bailey, Jackie Christie, Shaunie Henderson, Evelyn Lozada, Jennifer Williams, and Brandi Maxiell
Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
One of Basketball Wives' most infamous moments was the fight that occurred between Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman in the second season. While it was a very explosive scene, Shaunie revealed that behind the scenes, the following day, everything was copacetic. She recalled that moment and said it was one of her most cherished memories from the show.
"It was probably the day after the infamous fight between Tami Roman and Evelyn Lozada. Evelyn had coined the “non-mf factor” phrase, and production had broken up their fight the night before. Me and her were on the beach, and Tami called to see what I was up to. I told her I was with Evelyn, and she said she was coming to meet us," she said.
"I'm thinking I'm about to be in part two. There's no security, we were off for the day and I was sure it was about to be horrible. Tami gets there. She’s already got her cigarette lit, her bob is bouncing as she walks up to us, and I just remember her saying, ‘What y’all heffas doing?’ It was just like nothing had happened at all. It was like they fought, they got it out, and she was off to the next thing."
She added, "Those type of moments I wish people could experience and see that although things happen that seem outrageous, it’s all love. It doesn't always end up perfect. But for the most part, we have had a really, really good time."
Read more from the interview here.
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