As many readers will know, Tony Kotsur was honored with an Oscar, the first Deaf man to receive the honor and only the second Deaf person who’s gotten such an honor after Marlee Maitlin was honored way too many years ago for “Children of a Lesser God.”

You loyal readers will know, I’ve posted about the movie CODA twice already, telling that I liked watching it in 2021 and crowing that it won “best picture.” I am so glad that the mass media are recognizing Mr. Kotsur’s (and the rest of cast’s) accomplishment.

Mr. Kotsur does not just play a deaf person. He is Deaf. But, he’s an actor, and he knows how to fill a role. Here’s a description from National Public Radio’s Mandalit Del Barco’s report about the award (see also a story about Berkelee’s music group):

Kotsur's winning performance in the film includes a scene in which he asks his daughter to sing while he touches her throat, so he can hear the vibrations of her voice. He also improvised hilarious and graphic American Sign Language gestures while talking to his embarrassed teen daughter and her friend about safe sex.

What is more, US Public Broadcasting System (PBS) featured an interview with Mr. Kotsur on 29 March 2022. It warmed my heart yet again. There is a lot to love about advocating for folks with disabilities and how these events lead the way in advocating for considering those folks as…well…folks. Thank you, Mr. Kotsur!