So....JKF is out of Gallaudet

The deaf communities across the globe, erupted in victory as the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University dilberated on October 29, 2006 to decide what to do about the situation that has been occuring since the announcement of Jane K. Fernandes's selection as the 9th President back in April/May 2006. The objections and demands were intenstified in the beginning of October, cumlulating with sit ins at the gates, closing down of the HMB (for the life of me can't remember the full name of the Building), letters to the Board of Trustees, President and President-designated, through injury and suffering due to forceful movement of the Tent City at the gates, and lastly the hunger strike.

First and foremost - of course I wouldn't forget - is the arrest of more than 130 students, faculty and community members - several who are friends of mine. That was the first mistake that IKJ, JKF, and the Board of Trustees made. The arrests were infrigments of our civil rights and in violation of the First Amendments. This action had the communities in an uproar; thus the decline of the administration's ability to handle the situation - if there were ever an ability to begin with.

Now the message rings - "Healing begins now". It takes to consideration, what steps shall we take now? There will be a President search process starting all over again. I implore the Board of Trustees and Gallaudet University participants in the search process - do not repeat the same mistake. Ensure that the person is highly qualified; not on basis of what the President says, able to bring Gallaudet U's education standard to the highest it has been since before 1988-1993, be a representative of the deaf community at educational, cultural and lingual standings and bring Gallaudet U into the future.

There are several things the Deaf Communities across the world have to consider - especially here in the US. Cochlear Implants (CI) is the big thing; thus allowing the "superior" people to have control over those who are young that they haven't experienced life as it is. In truth - CIs are going through the same hype as when there were hearing aids back in, the mid 1900's. The end result is still a blend of speaking and signing ability.

Educating the general population about deaf people - not just culture or ASL, but the ability to be employed, resources to maintain employment and freeing up communication barriers lay upon us to teach the general population that there's pretty much nothing to be afraid of. Hearing loss is one of the most common sensory losses and yet the general population is afraid of us, that they want to change us without understanding us first. People with hearing loss has been present for more than 2 thousand years.

Gallaudet U and its people have a huge responsibility ahead of them and they have to remember that the real world is bigger than the community. Compromises are not necessary because we are more than just Deaf, with ASL as their primary language and a unique sub culture based on the visual and manual. Working together is the necessity, sharing philosophies, self-weakening inner resistance, and working with an open mind and heart and above all, accepting each other as who we are without making changes to selves.

Unity for Gallaudet U!

For more information on Gallaudet U. Protests, Letters and the like...
www.deaftimes.com
www.joeybaer.com
Washington Post
www.gufssa.com
Dr. Robert E. Johnson
Or basically just type in search for "Gallaudet University Protests 2006"