mymodernmet.com: Meet Justina Miles, the American Sign Language interpreter who almost stole the show as she energetically signed the pop star's greatest hits for the telecast. Not only did she make the thrilling performance accessible, but she also became the first deaf woman to provide ASL interpretation during the Super Bowl halftime show.
4 comments:
First of all, when I opened this article my jaw dropped. Talk about stunning. Based purely on looks, I can’t think of anyone better to be the ASL interpreter for Rihanna. Two powerful, stunning women teaming up to create a wonderful and accessible show is exactly what the Super Bowl halftime show needed. I absolutely adore the press that ASL interpreters have been getting recently. It is such a thankless job that most people heavily take it for granted. I enjoy how choreographed interpreters get, she even added her own dance moves which is so awesome! It is itself a performance and Justina did not come to play. On top of all of that, she was the first ever deaf woman to sign for a Super Bowl halftime show. She undeniably has a passion for every single movement she makes and through this, she is able to draw in an audience. Although the purpose of an ASL interpreter is to provide accessibility to those who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the performance, Justina provided so much more than simple signing. She provided an experience.
I saw a clip of Justina Miles interpreting Rihanna's Superbowl halftime performance and she truly did an amazing job. ASL interpretation is about so much more than just signing the words. When you're interpreting a performance as large-scale and energetic as Rihanna’s halftime show, you have to really feel the music and express that with your body and face. I'm so happy that Miles got this opportunity as a young black woman, it’s very inspiring to see. It’s surprising to me that she was the first deaf ASL interpreter of a halftime show, but it just shows again how Miles is breaking boundaries. I think we’re definitely entering an era where people are more mindful about accessibility, but I don’t think we’re anywhere near where we need to be. This world we live in was built without disabled people in mind, and we need to be constantly shifting our practices to correct that.
I had to watch the video of Miles after reading this article and it looks very challenging to ASL in that artistic manner where you can feel what’s being communicated. For me personally as someone who does not live or is in close relation to somebody who needs ASL to communicate am only exposed to it in police reports and government live streams of speeches and those are often serious and objective messages which do not incite such energetic and passionate performances such as Miles at the superbowl. I think the only other time I’ve seen ASL for a performance/entertainment level is during a performance of Frozen the musical and on the side in a lit up booth were two ASL performers but of course I wasn’t paying too close attention. However like I said, I think Mile’s performance will be a memorable part of this year’s superbowl.
Miles' dedication to her craft is evident in her commitment to learning, networking, and refining her skills. Her willingness to take risks and embrace new opportunities is also a lesson for all of us. By pushing herself beyond her comfort zone and pursuing her dreams with unwavering focus, Miles was able to make her mark in an industry known for its competitiveness and high standards.
Furthermore, Miles' collaboration with Rihanna is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and role models. By working alongside one of the biggest names in the music and fashion industries, Miles was able to learn and grow as a designer, and to gain exposure and recognition for her work.
Overall, Justina Miles' story is a source of inspiration and motivation for anyone seeking to achieve their dreams. Her journey is a reminder that with hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
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