If I flip you off for being annoying, I would definitely be communicating something as specific as if I’d used words.
The storyteller uses some very impressive body language; it's great to see. It made me wonder if this is a particular strength of deaf storytelling, given that the audience has to be watching closely anyway.
Similarly, 99% of people will not appreciate an expressive signer as much as a vocalist.
That is just reality. I doesn't mean it is without value.
"But look, there are tons of people who speak English but still use Spanish to communicate with others who only or mostly speak Spanish"
"99% of those people would not be interested in Spanish if they or a loved one did not have problems speaking English".
Are you claiming everyone can "easily appreciate" a Spanish language singer as much as one they actually speak?
"Hearing folks can as easily appreciate a talented and expressive signer as a vocalist. " is a silly claim.
If that were the case everyone would be going to sign language concerts they dont understand.
Lots of folks feel similarly about opera.
It sounds like you've formed these opinions without ever exposing yourself to the things you have opinions about.
Like I said in my original response, that's ok. It can be a valid art form with less mass appeal. More people like swift than Miles Davis. That doesn't invalidate Miles Davis.
There are very strong opinions within the deaf community that it is not a handicap or disability and should be viewed more as a culture [1].
Sign languages are for humans. Even those of us with sharp hearing can learn to take greater advantage of the bandwidth available to us.