Deaf man signs 'I'm proud of you to Obama.' (See what President Obama then did.)

[Are_grits_groceries]

Stephon stood just a few feet away from Barack Obama. The president, busy shaking hands, looked right at him. “It was like he was waiting for me to say something,” he said later.

So the 26-year-old Prince George’s Community College student took his cue and spoke to President Obama in his first language: American Sign Language. “I am proud of you,” Stephon signed. The president, almost involuntary, instinctively, immediately signed back.

“Thank you,” Obama replied.

This is one of those moments that humanize the office of the presidency:

Much more:http://distriction.com/2012/03/sign-of-the-times/

Way cool!
He did it so instinctively that he has to have used it before.

[Raine]

1. Very very COOL!

[nanabugg]

2. Waaaaay cool. Spontaneous, I'm proud of the President too. nt

[quinnox]

3. great moment

Neat it was captured on video.

[TheWraith]

4. That... is pretty fucking impressive.

I couldn't do that offhand, and I spent 6 months dating an ASL student.

[eridani]

5. That is truly wonderful

I can just see Dim Son thinking the guy flipped him off and answering in kind.

[Tennessee Gal]

7. LOL!

The visual image!

[CTyankee]

26. probably what Newt would have done, too...

can you imagine any one of these repukes knowing sh*t about sign language?

[Tennessee Gal]

6. This man is so obviously kind and loving.

Americans who hate him should be ashamed.

Oops, they are incapable of shame.

[gordianot]

8. He obviously has done that before very impressive.

I am retired but continue to work with deaf and hard of hearing preschoolers.

[MrSlayer]

9. I hate to say that my initial thought was quite cynical.

But after viewing the video a few times it is obvious that it was genuine. You can actually watch the entire thought process on the President's face. He's an amazing person.

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. It was so fast,

that it seemed to be second nature. I am a huge skeptic about everything, but this seemed genuine to me.

[briv1016]

11. What a snob.

[progressoid]

12. If you know ASL, perhaps you'd like the whole story.

I, unfortunately don't know sign so

[Bryn]

18. I do! I am tickled!

I, too, speak in ASL. This guy did great. Impressive. Him and Obama both.

[ScreamingMeemie]

22. His smile is infectious, you could really see how excited he was.

[Behind the Aegis]

13. That was incredible! Good on him!

Makes me wonder though...does he know sign? Does he know what was said to him? Still, I found that rather classy.

[ScreamingMeemie]

20. I am guessing that he prepared himself, as that looks like a group of hearing impaired.

Either or, it is still incredible, and I don't think too many Presidents would do that.

[pokerfan]

14. I only know 'I love you'

and 'you complete me' from that movie.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

15. VERY NICE!

i think everyone should know some basics signs...actually heart warming to see such a natural response!

sP

[Blue Owl]

16. Anyone remember when Dimson waved to Stevie Wonder?

Those little things say it all.

[SidDithers]

17. K&R...nt

Sid

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

19. And then there are those who have trouble with the intricate workings of a door.

[Tarheel_Dem]

25. !!!

[Bryn]

21. Hey, Rick Santorum ... if you want to live in D.C. learn ASL !!!

That's where Gallaudet University, college for the deaf/hard of hearing, is located at. Fair is fair since you told people in Puerto Rico to learn English. Obama spoke in ASL!

[Fawke Em]

23. He learned that from watching Blues Clues with his kids!

LOL!

&feature=player_detailpage#t=38s

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. My brother taught his (then infant) daughter simple ASL signs.

It was pretty impressive.

[demmiblue]

27. Awww... very touching.