“Thank you”

Here is a great example of how easy it is to ensure yourself a long, celebrated career in politics. After attending a conference in Washington recently, Barack Obama greeted some audience members. A deaf student in the crowd signed to him: “I am proud of you.” Not missing a beat, Obama signed back: “Thank you.”

The student, only known as Stephon, was so touched by this that he uploaded a video of his encounter onto the net. It has since been picked up and has gone viral:

Stephon also uploaded this video message. As it is in sign language, the text of what he is saying can be found underneath the video:

When I got in, I took many videos. What amazed me is that it took two hours to make it just right before Obama started. I did not realize how great of seats there were for us deaf people. Right front of Obama. I sat in VIP with the Governor Martin O’Malley and many other important people. So, it started at about 11. Obama was right front of me. I was ready to jump up and walk toward him and shake his hand. Could you imagine how the Secret Service would’ve responded? When I watched Obama give his speech on the stage I thought to myself, “No way, Obama is not standing right in front of me! Wow!”

If you want to know more about what Obama’s speech was about, you can find out online. I was close enough to touch Martin O’Malley on his shoulder but I didn’t want to bother him. I regret I could have done better holding my camera while talking to Obama. The moment I will never forget was when he looked at me. He gave me a chance to talk to him. It was like he was waiting for me to say something. I took the moment and signed “I am proud of you,” and his response was “Thank u” in sign language back! Oh my gosh! I was like wow! He understood me after I said I was proud of him. It was so amazing…I was just speechless. Right after he thanked me, he smiled at another deaf lady who signed “I love you.” When I shook his hand it did not feel like he was superior to me. He was just a humble man. I am just impressed by him and know that he will have my vote and he will win second term without a doubt. Yeah, I feel safe to have him for another term.

This is not the only cool thing the American president has done recently. Check him out, singing “Sweet Home Chicago” With Mick Jagger And B.B. King here.

This is also not the first time Barack Obama has used sign language on the campaign trail. In 2008, several deaf bloggers noted that then-Senator Obama understood basic sign language after he signed to them.

[Source: Washington Post]