“The NAD thanks PepsiCo and the NFL for their support in ensuring that the elegance and allure of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful would once again be showcased through ASL,” said Bobbie Beth Scoggins, NAD President.
"Inclusion does not happen overnight, rather it is a journey of awareness,” said Massimo d’ Amore, President, Global Beverages, and executive sponsor of the EnAble inclusion initiative at PepsiCo. “That is why PepsiCo partners with such visible champions as National Association of the Deaf (NAD) to drive positive change. Our partnership with NAD began with 'Bob's House,' the ASL ad we ran during the 2008 Super Bowl pre-game show, so it is only fitting that we are working together to once again use this amazing platform to shine a light on ASL and the issue of inclusion."
The Super Bowl is one of the most sought after sporting events of the year and is watched by millions. The NAD is grateful to its partners for their support in promoting the artistry and linguistic importance of American Sign Language.
For The National Association for the Deaf (NAD)visit:
http://www.nad.org/
For more information about NAD Miss Deaf America Ambassador program and Rachel Mazique visit:
http://nad.org/youth/miss-deaf-america-ambassador-program
# http://www.nad.org/news/2012/2/super-bowl-xlvi-pepsico-and-nad
## UPDATE
Miss Deaf America, Rachel Mazique, an Arlington Hts. IL native, “very disappointed” she's unseen at Super Bowl | Feb 7, 2012
By Jamie Sotonoff | The Daily Herald
During the Super Bowl, television cameras showed everything from Eli Manning's young family to hip-hop singer M.I.A.'s obscene gesture.
Yet, they didn't for one second show the National Association of the Deaf's Miss Deaf America Rachel Mazique — an Arlington Heights native and Hersey High School alumna — as she signed the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.”
Mazique doesn't believe she appeared on the stadium's Jumbotron, either; wasn't invited to stay for the game; and wasn't placed near singers Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.
Even though she says she was never promised television exposure (but was told to smile the whole time, just in case), her treatment at the big game has upset many people in the deaf community, especially those in the suburbs. Now her supporters are rallying for an apology from NBC and the NFL through an online petition at change.org.
As of Monday night, more than 1,000 people had signed the petition, including some from as far away as New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
“We are very upset by this,” said Angie Kubiak of Mount Prospect, who is deaf and whose husband and three sons also are deaf. “We waited and waited to see Rachel appear to perform, only to be disappointed. Everyone of all ages in the deaf community across the country was expecting to see Rachel Mazique appear on TV, even if only for a few seconds. We thought we would see something even go on the Internet. She has nothing from NBC.”
No one from the NBC or NFL could be reached for comment Monday night.
Mazique said she was grateful to sponsors PepsiCo and EnAble for allowing her to sign at the game as the NAD ambassador but was “very disappointed” about the missed opportunity to show the world American Sign Language. She questioned the point of her appearance, since her signing wasn't visible to an audience.
Mazique, who now is teaching and working on her Ph.D. at the University of Texas, is hailed as a role model for the deaf community. By keeping her out of the spotlight on what turned out to be the most watched television show in history, NBC and the NFL missed a chance to show the world that deaf people can be successful and that sign language is beautiful, said petition creator Kate Spencer, a former college classmate.
“What an insult,” Kubiak said.
# http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120207/news/702079941/
# http://abilitychicagoinfo.blogspot.com/2012/02/miss-deaf-america-rachel-mazique.html
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