Special Online issue
USA
Malz & Ben: Off to Work They Went
Eric Malzkuhn, like many deaf college students, worked during his summer vacation in Akron, Ohio. His friend's father got him a job at the Firestone plant. Malz's friend was Ben Schowe Jr., son of Ben Schowe Sr., the deaf labor leader, and his classmate at Gallaudet University.
Malz worked as a chipper. "It was the best unskilled job a person could get," Malz remembered. "A chipper takes a red hot rim from the welding machine, and uses a pneumatic chisel to take of the surplus metal." The result is a smooth rim on which a tank will roll into battle.
The pay was great. Malz made $200 a week—four times what he would make later as a new teacher at the Michigan School for the Deaf.
But the work was hard—dusty, dirty, back breaking. In a nearby building, Malz's friend Ben Schowe was making fly wheels on a vertical turret lathe for aircraft engines. Neither man has pleasant memories of the work. "We worked ten hours a day seven days a week," said Ben, a former teacher and librarian.
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Ben Schowe |
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Eric Malzkuhn |
Malz believed the long hours on the job led to his girlfriend dating another man. His "jealous temper" finished off their relationship. But he fell in love again—and married Mary Claveau, his wife of over 50 years.
In the Army—Almost
When Eric Malzkuhn reported for his army physical, the doctor did not ask him about his hearing, and Malz did not mention that he had been deaf since he was ten years old.
Like many deaf men, Malz wanted to be a soldier. His country was at war and Malz wanted to fight. When he was classified 1—A, he was thrilled.
Eagerly, he reported to Fort Mead in Maryland. As he waited, a sargeant came up behind him and issued an order. Of course Malz ignored him. Furious, the sargeant tapped his shoulder.
"Whatzzamatter?!" he demanded as Malz turned around. "You deaf or something?"
"Yes sir, I am," responded Malz.
Malz told the sargeant that deaf people should be allowed to serve in the Army. The sargeant sent him to a corporal. The corporal sent him to a lieutenant. The lieutenant sent him to a major. Each time Malz made his case. "The major was sympathetic," he remembered.
But rules were rules—and Malz would serve the United States at home.
World Around You published the story previously in the Nov.-Dec. 1995 issue
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General comments may be sent to: Cathryn.Carroll@gallaudet.edu
Last modified February 3, 1998
Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
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Gallaudet University |
