BOT Terminates Fernandes Amidst Flurry of Press Releases
By Chris and Allison Kaftan on Sun 29 Oct 2006 |
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Tonight, the Gallaudet Board of Trustees voted to terminate their selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes as the 9th president of the University. In the press release (linked above), they write, “We understand the impact of this decision and the important issues that inherently arise when a Board re-examines decisions in the face of an on-going protest. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the University to terminate Dr. Fernandes from the incoming President’s position.” They also call for a time of healing and say they continue to meet on transitional issues.
Regarding the FSSA’s second demand of no reprisals, the release calls for those who violated the law and/or Gallaudet’s code of conduct to be held accountable, saying, “We expect the University to honor its long tradition of respect for each other and property and to return to normal.”
Dr. Jane Fernandes issued a statement, copied and pasted here in its entirety:
It is with deep regret that I heard the Board’s decision to terminate my contract.
I love Gallaudet University and I believe I could have made a significant contribution to its future. I hope that the Gallaudet community can heal the wounds that have been created. I trust that we all want a stronger, better, more inclusive Gallaudet where ASL and Deaf culture have been and always will be at the core of academic and community life.
Dr. I. King Jordan also released his own statement in which he acknowledges the pain the community has experienced and calls for healing. In the same paragraph that he calls for an end to the war of words, he praises Dr. Fernandes and the BOTs initial selection of her, noting that they terminated her “to resolve the current stalemate.”
He ends,
“In my Town Hall speech last November I said there is more that unites us than divides us. I think we lost sight of that for a time and we must work together to refocus on the core values that unite us. We should not look for a resolution to the struggle of recent months in terms of winners and losers. If we do, Gallaudet and our students will be the losers.”
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The Deaf will never be a part of the larger world. It’s a shame.
Because they protest? Like early Americans protested? Or pretty much every other group has, in order to achieve civil equality? I’m sick and tired of people implying that just because Deaf people are doing their best to fight off social injustice it somehow means they’re MORE immature than if they’d stayed in the classroom and acted like stupid sheep even when they knew something was wrong! And the thing is they ONLY say that stuff - because people are Deaf! And subsequently somehow feel it’s okay to claim there’s no such thing as Audism!
Just because I’m black doesn’t mean that I’m not guilty of racism although there’s the automatic assumption in some circles. Just because you’re gay doesn’t mean that you don’t harbor prejudices against “breeders.” Just because you’re Deaf doesn’t mean that you don’t harbor a strong dislike against outsiders and hearing people in general.
All identity politics centers around a common identified core and an exclusion of an outside who is frequently perceived as antagonistic. The protesters have successfully excluded Fernandes from their inner core, but they have not had the balls to stand up and say that they want a white Deaf president and no other person will be acceptable.
Any token comments about including Glenn Anderson are nothing but token, period. We have been played as fools, and, yes, I’m looking squarely at you, LaToya.
DDPC: To make sure I’m understanding you correctly, you’re disgruntled both about tokenship in play and the implication that protesters deny any act of audism/deafism/dishonesty (inadvertent or otherwise). Correct?
TOKENISM!
This is nothing but tokenism, pure, plain, and simple. We have been played as fools by everybody. I will wait and see if my prediction is accurate — the student leaders will endorse either Stern or somebody else, but it sure as hell won’t be Glenn Anderson.
So, would you protest?
If you are going to get some sort of reaction out of the community get in touch with the press.
BTW, does it have to be a person of color? Won’t qualifications matter (not like they did in JKFs case)
I’ll be willing to bet that Latoya and other protesters of color won’t protest the non-selection of Glenn Anderson because it’ll shatter any image of unity and show up the fact that they’ve been played for fools. Running around on TV is no substitute for hard-eyed action, like Fernandes found out.
Oh yes. The unity, right.
I went to the ridor site some people were talking about.
Quite a lot of people were heavily against Glenn Anderson. That was inbetween the shouts of Unity, unity unity.
As McConnel says, unity for whom?
It is and has always been unity on the protesters’ terms. We are about to find out who they’re favoring and the lengths at which they will go for until they get their selection.
What I find chilling about the whole thing is that unity is not a mindset that you want in an university. You want critical thinking and independence of thought and I’m not finding that anywhere at Gallaudet right now.
Anonymous… okay, so I ask you, can unity and independent thought/critical thinking coexist? I have an opinion, but I’d like to know yours.
They rather not evolve with the society. They want to keep their old ways, a dependency gulag at Gallaudet University.
You are wrong, Rich. It was Fernandes who wanted bring dependency on us from the medical-industrial complex. This dependency would have killed Gallaudet. It is better now that she was terminated.
Deaf culture follows the societal changes. But we refuse to conform to something that is alien for us. You helped us a lot in dethrowning Kelleher, as you opened many eyes. You helped us to understand what was hidden behind her strange vocabulary.
It is you who keep a dependency gulag in your skull. Your demagogiery is so much similar to that of Jane. You are both very confused individuals. And she learned from you… When she started to sound like you, she was immediately finished. The Board made the right decision!
“White deaf president”?
I think you are really overestimating the racism of the Gallaudet students. Oh, come on.
I won’t lie and say there isn’t racism, but I really don’t think it was a big motivation beyond this protest at all.
Newsflash: White Students at White College Protest Appointment of Black President, Demand Resignation
2nd Newsflash!
Employees at Burger King don’t like their boss. They chain the doors shut and then act outraged when they are told you don’t get to choose your boss and are fired.
A college president isn’t a boss. It’s a president. You do choose presidents. Every four years.
News flash — Students do not select College presidents. When was the last time you heard of campus elections for Presidents. I am sure you knew I was not talking about White House president which you are correct we do elect.
Mobocracy is not a way to run a federal institution. The trustees caved in although Fernandes gave her critics plenty of ammunition.
Oh, I saw a news clip of Noah Beckman signing that the “oppression” has been lifted from him now that Fernandes has been terminated. Noah simply has no idea what it means to be oppressed — he’s a white male who presumes to know what is best for everybody else. Just because he has his hair in a frizz doesn’t mean he’s African American.
This was nothing more then crybabies wanting to make history so they could say they are a part of it. I continue to be amazed at the sheer stupidity that has been displayed. I pray that the adminstration has the guts to issue the severe reprisals that are deserved.
Disgrunted Person has a point. Oppression has been lifted…for whom? If you think that covers the students of color, think again. To find out first-hand, go ask BDSU.
Some black folks are desperate to wedge a gap and create controversy. Why is that? What do they want? Was only LaToya who protested? I don’t think so. There were much more black students for the protest than against it.
Why? Perhaps they’ve been marginalized much too often and for too long. Heck, could be considered worse than audism that’s “rampant” in all nooks and cranies at Gallaudet.
I see many black students on all protest videos. Maybe you should wash your eyes a bit and watch… (???)
… and even that is questionable, Truth, depending on who you ask!
The writing was on the wall when Fernandes kept on giving interviews to the Washington Post and completely failing to even address or even acknowledge the protesters as people. If I were her, I would have gone out to the faculty and the students and talked to them. That’s what a leader does — reach out to people that you may not like in the first instance despite all the negative commotion. If Lincoln could, in the middle of the Civil War, talk to Southerners, Fernandes could certainly have bridged the divide as well.
I agree. I even met her. I liked her. I supported her until I read what she said in the paper about identity politics. I realized that she was trying to put a spin on the situation and “win” it in the press, instead of reaching out to the students.
It was at that moment I realized she was not the right person to lead Gallaudet. We don’t need politicans that try to spin us. We need someone honest who will get down here in the much with us and help us dig out the dirt.
Hey WSS - I want to get in touch with you about an event I’m organizing on Blogging and the Future of Gallaudet. Drop me a line at Jill.Bradbury@gallaudet.edu, if you are interested in participating.
I won’t lie…I felt a sense a sense of celebration when I was informed that the BoT had in fact voted to terminate Jane’s contract. I even went out to a local pub to celebrate with a few drinks and a pizza.
But at the same time, I am touched with a tinge of sadness. It is unfortunate that things had to come to this. I wish there would have been a less painful way to come to this resolution.
Nevertheless, I commend the Board for its decision, and for the integrity it took to make such a decision.
But to paraphrase some of the comments I made in a response to Allison’s post… we should not see this as an end, but as a beginning. As I said, anyone who thinks that the change will occur overnight is hopelessly naive. The problems went much deeper than just the selection of Jane Fernandes as president, and the solution will go much futher than just her terminate as President.
This protest was just a symptom of deeper rooted problem that must be addressed if we are to truly heal. I am not even sure that I fully understand what the problem is…but there is no doubt that it exists, and must be addressed.
But at this moment, all I can do is breath a sigh of relief, give thanks to the Goddess, and pray that the healing can now begin.
Blessed Be,
Reverend Ocean
a.k.a. Virginia L. Beach, Gallaudet alumnus
I felt the same way you do! We have a long way ahead of us, and I personally will continue to keep up with the news and support FSSA and GUAA when needed.
Wow. I guess it won’t gnaw at us anymore. I admit I’m glad I can return to work knowing that I can be more productive now that I don’t have to keep checking the blogs for an update! :)
But, the fact remains, the battle’s just begun.
My mom, who’s hearing, and did not know the depth of the protest, said it all; it would be pointless to have a leader the students will not respect. It definitely sends a powerful message to everyone.
I hope that the FSSA and, especially, the students of Gallaudet University will give the respect to JFK and IKJ regardless of the breaking news. They are both human. They fought for what they thought was best for the university. They are a part of the deaf community no matter where they go. They deserve the respect from all involved with this protest (especially both sides) and I hope that the battle that’s just begun is off to a smooth start.
And while I understand this calls for a huge and exciting historical celebration with the release of every emotion known to woman/man, why does Chris Corrigan and LaToya Plummer have to chug down a beer in front of everyone (see http://www.deafread.com’s Celebration video)? That serves IKJ’s point in the last sentence.
Your thoughts are mine exactly!
Did they seriously? Oy vey.
Love your comment… thank you for bringing up the point (again) about respect. I really hope that everyone can find a way to respect and honor each other as Gally moves into this new transitional period, whatever the outcome may be.
I hope it wasn’t beer but the act of chugging resound a beer to me! :)
*grins*
Although I have not had a chance to see this victory video at this time (the servers are currently down, no doubt due to all the folks who are taking a perverse pleasure in seeing that beer being chugged down)…I have to agree.
Sometimes victory is better celebrated with humility.
I saw the video they are chugging away like they are at a frat party.
My words to the deaf leaders who are saddened by the loss of Jane Fernandes as next president of Gallaudet University, is to go on with your good deeds, do your business in areas not readily accessible to the old deaf guards. The 98% of the deaf society is on our side. Time is on our side and the old deaf guards will be paying a big price for their small victory yesterday.
We can capitalize on this by showing the world that old deaf guards are very inflexible and non-inclusive which is a major turnoff to most grantmakers. Save the newspapers and the Gallaudet university press releases on Jane’s termination and use them in your highly competitive grant writing.
If youre competing with a deaf organization for funds, use the blogs to see if the competition supports the protest and use that info in your grantwriting as proof of the old deaf guard’s inflexibility toward people who represent the future of deaf society. You will win easily.
The recent old deaf guard’s victory at Gallaudet is our fundraising goldmine to use.
LETS USE IT!
Richard Roehm
Old Deaf Rich, guard yourself because a huge goldmine gulag is building up in your skull. ;)))))))))))
Yeah, LOL. The beer. I wa slike, “umm… first of all, are you of legal age? second, aren’t you NOT supposed to drink beer outside on the campus, and third, ummm. way to go, bud”
But oh well I guess you can’t blame them, as excited they are righ tnow.
oh, and I promised myself. Tomorrow, during work, I will NOT check a. single. blog.
it’ll be hard but I gotta start sometime.
Chugging a beer? What’s there to celebrate about? A deaf community divided? Shredding two long-time members of the deaf community to bits? Creating emotional discord and limbo for weeks at end? Sorry to be a party pooper, but for me, it is not a time for celebration. It is a time for healing.
And in the meantime, think about this. How do the students of color feel being on campus now? Are the protestors now flaunting their pyrrhic victory in their faces? I will know soon enough, they will let me know. Will the SBG/FSSA now do the harder work of ensuring social justice reigns on campus, such as anti-racism…or was it just another empty rhetoric all along? We will be watching, and hoping, they indeed will be walking their talk.
I agree — this joyful celebration raises serious concerns regarding the veracity o fthe claim that this was about leadership.
I would venture to guess that the joyfulness is because they have succeeded in overturning an unacceptable candidate, but they have never quantified what is an acceptable candidate other than “negatives” and those clearly eliminate anybody who is not Deaf.
What I would like to see is a Deaf or deaf person of color. It’s about time Gallaudet faced the fact that its student body is just as racist as anybody else, deaf, Deaf, or hearing. The protesters were largely white. Fernandes recognized although she didn’t say too much about it — that Gallaudet is the last bastion of the white male preserve.
I’m sorry you have to experience that “white male preserve”
I would have thought that in this day and age you would not have to deal with that. Imagine if all the energy and resources that were wasted on this protest had been put towards addressing concerns like yours. Good luck.
Mmmph. DDPC: I keep smiling at your comments. Would love to start a conversation via e-mail. You up for it? Allison.Kaftan (at) deafdc.com
Why does a Deaf person of color count as “diversity” but not a Deaf woman? Racism and sexism go hand in hand, along with multiple layers of oppression (has that become a household name now?). Had a Deaf white man been selected to be the next president for Gallaudet University, would the protests still have happened? And would the protestors be still spewing the same rhetoric of social justice?
Deaf woman of color
You make a good point if I will do.
I supported the FSSA with all of my strength throughout the protest in spite of unfavorable media coverage. Unfortunately, I finally got turned off when I saw Jane Jonas’ photos (an unbelievably long beer funnel was pictured) and read the article in the Washington Post today:
“That set off a night of jubilation on the campus in Northeast Washington, including hugs, beer funnels, speeches about unity…”
Come one, beers?? bongs?? How tacky and unprofessional. Image is all image, folks!!!
Wow. This outcome sure isn’t what I expected. I have a feeling, though, that this is just the beginning of the end.
The protestors said they would be fighting the reprisals. So I definitely expect a few twists and turns before it’s *completely* over. And quite honestly, I don’t think JKF’s going out that quietly. I would be VERY surprised if she did.
And I have to admit, I wonder what the ramifications will be for everyone in the community. Where do we as a whole go from here?
~ Deaf Pundit
Stayed tuned to this station, Deaf Pundit! Season 2 is beginning. Wonder if the BoT will re-open the search process, or just pick the man behind Door Number One, or Door Number Two? Will the search process be different from, or the same as the first one? Will IKJ stay longer? We’ll tell you the answers after these messages from our sponsors :-)
LOL.
Which sponsors would those be? HawkRelay — the name alone is war-isome! ;-) We need some Doves and peace…
Maybe we could get the Hawk and Dove to sponsor a mediation party? ;-)
I am afraid the ramifications are a combination of what several people have said here one way or another:
White students will gloat and continue the Deaf white dominance of major positions on campus. A greater divide between DoD and all other “impure” forms of deaf people will be palpable. If you think I exaggerate all anyone ever has to do is walk into Gallaudet’s cafeteria (hanson plaza) and you can see a microcosm of the social, racial, political, and other divisions that exist among students at Gallaudet. These were the kind of things JK wished to address with her vision and her strategic plan for an inclusive university.
The selection of the next Deaf president more likely means Deaf of Deaf, ASL user (God help him/her if he/she as speech skills) someone who is seen as representative of the .03% that makes up the elite core of Deaf Culture. Ironically: A president who will be expected to cater to the masses, BUT who will not be of the masses. FSSA, GUAA, NAD and many other organizations expect to have a say so in the selection of the next president. Until the BOT constituency is changed they really don’t have a vote.
The division that this situation created for everyone, (for, against, neutral, couldn’t care less) at all levels (from admin down to maintenance people) isn’t going to go away for a long time even after all the workshops, group therapy, panel of experts, round table discussions and whatever else is going to be done to begin the healing process. I have been at Gallaudet for 12 years and I am an observer of patterns of behavior as much as the next person. As evidence of Gallaudet’s community tendency to hold on to negative feelings, discontent, grudges, and outright hate we just have to read the letter from Clerc Center teachers http://news.gufssa.com/categor.....rc-center/ . This group of teachers are talking about things that ‘supposedly’ happened between 7 and 12 years as if it happened to them yesterday. The faculty is no different. Their issues with JK date back 6 years. At the time she was appointed as provost. That part wasn’t even her fault. IKJ over-extended his authority as President when he selected her without following proper procedures.
The results are the same in both cases. Many years later when the opportunity presented itself in the form of a student-led protest against the very person they had been harboring all these negative feeling for, both groups (clerc center and Fac) jumped on the bandwagon and joined the hate parade. So much for all the money that was spent for therapy, mediation groups, support groups, community meetings, retreat after retreat, climate study, task force for this, that and the other. It just doesn’t go away. Someone, sometime, somewhere will use anger, and frustration and oppression resulting from the current situation as arsenal to swing at the next target.
Outside the walls of Gallaudet, the ramifications may include loss of credibility with funding, sources and research partners looking to serve more diverse and inclusive populations not to give to those who already experienced the best of all possible situations (DoD). The new president may not have the credibility or desire to continue with the Sorensen building vision of both ASL and English coming together to show our status as a BILINGUAL university. (My personal per peeve is for people to say we are an ASL university since it negates the use of all English modes including print).
There is so much more to say but I will stop now. I just wanted to post this to have a record of my own thoughts to compare against the events that will take place in the months and years to come.
PEACE to you all
Oh yeah.
I have been on a few news message boards, as well as the general press. A very large number of people thought that the school made a mistake.They may not be following, but it bothers a lot of people to see mob rule and a person forced out before they have a chance.
Speaking about funding. As has been discussed, she is either being paid off or is due to sue, so money is lost anyway. And Congress will surely investigate. When governance resumes after the election get ready for some people to question why a BOT went back on its contract without proper explanation.
“(God help him/her if he/she as speech skills)” - that is to be construed for anybody to have speech skills as not “Deaf enough.”
You said it, not me, “For-the-record”.
True. Although people are more or less forgiving of your speech skills depending on your ASL fluency.
My speech skills is fine. No problemo. ASL. Not a real problem there, either. If I choose to speak, that’s my right and choice. Although I respect others their right to whatever form to communicate. In fact, just got off of the VP with a very good friend of mine. Uses SEE2. Prefers SEE2 than ASL though the person is learning more new ASL. If chooses to stick with SEE2, who am I to argue or even marginalize the person’s choice? I don’t practice discrimination in the communication preferences territory. You might. But not me.
Whoever is going to be the next school president, I truly pity them.
It will have to be someone enormously qualified, has connections to the school, and is deaf. They could go back to other candidates, but I would question their sanity to take a job like that. It is walking into hostile territory with guns already drawn.
For the students, expect an interim president for the next year.
For the protestors, celebrate now. You got what you wished for, just dont complain if it isnt exactly what you wanted.
for starters, the next president should wear a halo, walk on water, and turn loaves into fishes. But you all know what happened to HIM. :-)
We need a decent president, for a change!
Have you begun looking for another position? Or are you suing?
Are you offering me the presidency?? ;)))
Nope. Just wondering if your “we” will become “they” when you move on, get a job…. Do you have permanent residency?
Considering the history of our discussions here, I don’t particularly feel compelled to believe that you care any bit about what you ask. So let me keep my personal information for myself.
However, if you want to nominate me for the next president of Gallaudet University, please do not be shy, just do it. Thanks!! ;)))))))))))))
So you too can get a hefty severance package?
No I want to rule like a King. I want worshippers. I want a building named after me, and another one after my wife. Then I go and retire peacefully. I promise. ;)))))))))))))))))))
Right now, I feel sorry for Dr. Feranandes and I certainly hope she takes advantage of all legal resources available to her. I also feel sorry for the protestors who have engineered this for their own personal gratification and I have some concerns regarding the long term consequences. Judging from many of the excellent pieces of blogs and comments that have been written on deafdc.com, I’d like to be blunt:
The deaf community is hurtling towards a landscape that will be significantly different in the next several decades and as of now; we are not ready. Further, this will become one of those protests where several years from now, people will still not be able to articulate a specific reason as to why the protest started. If it takes a 17 page statement, complete with third party hearsay and innuendo, doesn’t that make you pause?
I’m not sure how to further articulate my thoughts or dismay with the long term consequences of this. Part of my sadness is due to the differences that we are seeing impact the deaf community: technology, education, advanced testing for deafness, genetic manipulation, and new laws being written without much input from the deaf community.
Dr. Feranandes seemed to recognize that and saw Gallaudet as a place to address those. Her leadership was, doubtless, abrasive and too strong for many people. Yet, I think she understood that the deaf community is going to need to ‘step up’ on the global stage. Unfortunately, to me and to many people in the world, we seem to have taken a step back where a respectable academician was torn down like a piece of meat and discarded all in the name of “Unity”.
While I understand your sentiments, it is just much more than the academician she is. Regardless of her ideas and visions, she was just simply not well-liked and not well-respected (and vice-versa). That’s a really hard path to take if she’s to become a president of a university.
Hiya Scott! I, too, am very curious about how the landscape of deafness, technology and education will evolve over the next few decades. My mother and I had a discussion a couple weeks ago about whether the role of Gallaudet needs to change, in light of the drop in enrollment and the hordes of mainstream deafies (like us) heading off to college, grad school, law school, etc., at places other than Gally.
I’m sure she has a nice severance package. And I’m sure the deal includes her walking away quietly.
I was thinking about something just now.
Are the protesters liable? I mean, it is not like they conquered a devil that vanishes in a puff of smoke, they stopped someone from getting a job.
Would the actions taken, make them liable in civil court, and damages be owed to her from the organizers of the protest?
She deserves a very generous severence package. She applied for a job. She was hired and then terminated before given a chance.
“Unity” never existed the whole time. It was an illusion. As I have said since May, “Unity for whom?” is what I’ve asked. Indeed, this was dirty laundry that was aired for all to see. Each one of us, including protesters, must acknowledge their own accountability in this mess. If they can’t or won’t do that, there won’t be any true healing nor will there be “unity” in all of this. This whole thing was a farce. A fascade by those who insisted on wearing the mask of hypocrisy that totally turned the “Mask of Benevolence” onto themselves for a change.
In short, it was ugly from all sides. You know who they are. Be accountable for your own actions because there are consequences to one’s own action. And those who insisted on making it worse are not part of the solution, but the problem. It’d be intellectually dishonest to think otherwise.
Do you guys really think she had no idea how much people disliked her after almost 11 years on campus? Would you try to lead a group of people who hate you? If she didn’t see that, I’m sorry, she really shouldn’t have been in the running for President at all, you know? To not know your people, that badly… it seems weird, doesn’t it? Unless she was just power-mad.
You are a bigot.
…because…
Yes, how is this comment “bigotted”?
Calling someone power-mad isnt bigoted?
How about the way that this hatefest has been about her on a very personal level.
“hatefest”?
Wow. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
It wasn’t a hatefest? So, it was a love-fest then?
I was referring to Johan himself.
Don’t turn it onto the protesters. That wasn’t my point.
Oh gee. Sorry about that. I didnt mean to be getting rude.
Next time when i want to make a point, i will make an effigy of someone and burn it!
Sick sick sick.
Johan: no calling her a power-mad isn’t “Bigotted” just as you falling it a “hate-fest” isn’t.
I do feel sad for Dr. Fernandes although I have supported for her resignation, thus eventual termination. I can only imagine it is very painful for her.
What I do not support after the announcement of Dr. Fernandes’ termination is how the protestors chose to celebrate — burning the effiacy, chugging down beers and say nasty things about her. Rubbing it in Dr. Fernandes and administration’s face is uncalled.
Given that the deaf community is unique where close knittedness is acknowledged, I would expect us to do better. The least we can do is to appreciate the Board of Trustees’s decision with humility. Then, offer Dr. Fernandes our forgiveness and welcome her to the deaf community that is rightfully hers. This will begin the healing process.
What many people have forgotten is, in spite of everything she did over the years, that Dr. Fernandes is a human like any one of us. One thing for sure, she has learned a lot throughout the protest and from it, may grow into a better person. Only time will tell us what she has become as a result.
Scott, if the Board of Trustees have decided to terminate her, I would believe the reasons are too hard to ignore as many have gone wrong.
A hearing friend I know who has a close contact with one of the senators. I told him about what happened at Gallaudet and he had inquired about it with one of the senators last Spring. He sent me an email letting me know that he got a call from one of the senators’ office that an announcement about the president-designate will be made. I would be surprised if BoT, including the senators, didn’t do a lot of research and gathered information before making this decision.
Here is what my friend said:
“It goes to show that right is right and wrong is wrong and if enough people stand up and demand what’s right, they won’t be ignored in the long run. This is, after all, not the first time an appropriate uprising has interferred with appointment of the wrong person to head Gallaudet University.”
It is not only about Dr. Fernandes but also the administration at Gallaudet. I doubt the same mistake will be made again as we now have the deaf community nationwide and worldwide watching Gallaudet. Implementation of governance within the system will change everything on how things have run before.
I hope that we will reach out to Dr. Fernandes rather than continue to scorn her. Also, for those who decide to reach out to her, I hope those very people won’t be scorned by some members of the deaf community.
I too was appalled at the behavior of the protestors when they found out about the Board’s termination of Jane Fernandes. If you read the Washington Post article about the termination announcement last night, you can glance at the flurry of comments, many of them unapologetically critical of the protestors’ behavior as mob-like inmates and the university as an aslyum (an institution in the old school sense). This is the public image of Gallaudet an its students to some of the people in the real world.
While I can understand the magnitude of jubilance, I am dismayed at the seemingly lack of foresight for what may unfold. Gallaudet still needs a president, a quality one with a deaf-friendly, collective-oriented vision. And Fernandes still has much to contribute to Gallaudet, even though she will no longer be its 9th president, but from the stunning hostility manifested towards her, it’s difficult to envision what her future role will be. The protestors should take the initiative for a reconciliation with her and I. King Jordan. It’s far more productive than burning an effigy of Fernandes and chugging down barrels of beer, for starters.
Gallaudet professor Chris Heuer sent out this Robert Frost poem on email tonight. I thought it was very fitting, especially in light of some comments above, and so I am posting Chris’s email.
The BOT just terminated Jane’s appointment. I don’t know what the future holds.
Below is my favorite poem. I wanted to send it to you as a way of marking this moment in our history:
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
That reminds me of another Frost poem that I think will also be befitting here:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference.
Whatever road Gallaudet, and by extension, the deaf community, travels down on — it will be uncharted. We cannot repeat the past, we must look forward to the future. As I said in my recent blog:
“Let’s raise the bar!” (And I don’t mean the kind of bar that’s a pub…. ;-)
An interesting choice coming from Chris who was one of the early leader in the hate parade. I guess he must be speaking from experience.
I have to agree with several folks here tonight–Scott Van Nice and a few others. I also think, from a legal perspective here, that Jane MOST LIKELY will be consulting with some lawyers about her legal rights and I wouldn’t be surprised if she filed legal suit against the BOT and/or protesters for causing her to be removed when she hasn’t done anything to get herself fired/removed.
I, like Scott Van Nice, feel very badly for her and hope that she does take advantage of all the legal tools to compensate her for what she has lost through no fault of her own.
Additionally, the protesters probably will be held accountable for the damage they have caused to property and other things. They shouldn’t be let off scot-free just because they “won” the fight to get her removed.
Lastly, I think the Board of Trustees really are a bunch of wimps for caving into the protesters’ demands because that shows that in the future, if the students don’t like a particular president–they’ll protest and riot until they get what they want.
In short, authority wimped out here against the students.
Kind of what I have been saying for a while.
It is setting up a precedent where any organized student action can overturn an administrative decision.
It may be a unique situation that could garner as much support as it did, but most of the protest could not stem from just one person. As I have been reading, there is more to it than JKF.
Dont get me wrong, she may not have been the best, but people could have lived with her as president. Now the case is that the school has gone through trauma but it really doesnt end until the current president steps down, since the protestors and the faculty have lumped him with the mess.
Dont forget, she DID NOT RESIGN. That is a big thing, she stuck to her guns and kept at it, she was forced out of her job and is due compensation. I would wager two things: she gets paid a big amount outside of government funding to keep queit and the school has to cut corners to stay afloat, or she is getting ready to sue. Both are likely, she has lost everything at Gallaudet on a personable level except for her supporters so I would think she has no reason to keep her ties there.
What is ‘it’ that you speak of establishing precedent?
Human beings are social and political creatures; sufficient pressure is capable of overturning most decisions. This is true at every level, from family to workplaces to government. Thus, it should not come as a great shock.
Besides, the students had other means of protest available at their disposal including withdrawal and transferring elsewhere. That would have had been seriously damaging to the university from a financial perspective.
Be thankful that this will cost a lot less than that worst case scenario to pay off Dr. Fernandes. “Jane, here’s a fat envelope full of Ben Franklins. I promise not to badmouth you. Promise to do the same? Deal.”
She should have no trouble finding new employment elsewhere given fine credentials as a senior administrator and has preened well for the media over the past six months.
Elsewhere? I don’t think so. Right now, she’s a hot potato. What other deaf institution is going to accept her, given the feeling in the deaf community?
And, will she be able to find a similiar position at a hearing high education institution? You know how it is to get a job in the hearing world sometimes - you still get people who panic pecause you’re talking to them through the relay service, even though its been around for over 25 years.
No… because hearing Universities have already, many times, had such protests. In fact, Gallaudet already had one such protest. So “precedent” was set many times. I am afraid that what you’re saying is that this sets up a precedent where any DEAF PEOPLE’S action could overturn an administrative decision. I mean, even a President of the United States can have his decisions overturned by two other bodies, the Senate and Congress. America was MADE by the overturning of an administration. So it has to be the deaf part that’s the issue for you, right? I mean, if hearing people can do it when they feel something’s wrong, why can’t we? Unless you believe Deaf people are somehow less capable of governance? Remember, this was an organized action by faculty, students, staff, alumni, previous employees at three locations…
Point of clarification….
“Congress” includes both Senate and House of Representatives.
Congress includes the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
Guess you slept through your civics classes, eh, Joseph?
What?
Dont make stupid analogies, you completely fail at it.
^^^^^^^^^^
This does setup a precdent you idiot. I have never heard of a case where an administrative decision to hire someone was stopped due to a highly personal protest.
She was not in office, so your analogies dont work. It astounds me how simplistic and bad it is.
And dont get up on your high horse about what deaf people can do, you are a bigot and a follower of hatemongers. The personal attacks stopped someone from doing a job, great. Now watch as you see that now it was a bad decision and a backlash hurts the Deaf cause.
Oh please. There have been PLENTY of times where someone was fired by a protest. Do you know that this last year alone, nine university presidents have been kicked out of office due to protests?
Oh and by the way, lay off Joe. That’s not cool, ok? I don’t see him engaging in personal attacks, not like you are.
I mean, wow. CHILL.
Paddy said that. I sure would like to see the sources and/or links to those protests if that indeed was the case.
The Old Deaf Guards can have their little victory tonight. They will pay a big price for it. And this doesnt effect my position as CEO because audists on our board liked Jane and they expressing anger at the Old Deaf Guards incompatibility with the future of deaf society. And we do our business in areas not easily accessible by the old deaf guards. And therefore they cant tinker with us.
Richard Roehm
“”audists on our board liked Jane”"
Hmmm, that might be true…
Paul Singleton won his little victory here. His next step will be to engineer his application for Vice President of Business… a position currently held by Paul Kelly. To do this, he needs a friendly face to be the new President. It will have to be a Kappa Gamma man to be sure. If this man is not even in the next round of 3 finalists, look forward to another protest, anyone? This was never about justice. This was always about Paul Singleton going underground. He will never stand front and center with the students because he’s already on thin ice at his job with DoD.
Paul Singleton is a tool. I will protest any selection that has him associated with Gallaudet in any shape or form.
What’s up with the animosity for Paul ‘Rosen’ Singleton?
Instead of a family sockpuppet like Paul, how about getting a Rosen in the first place? Like Roz? Paul is an unimaginative person who only mouths what his wife, Suzy, wants him to say. Sock puppet, indeed.
Maybe now all of you can now properly focus on deaf issues rather than be caught up in Gallaudet issues. This includes all the bloggers, from Alison Kaftan to Bobby Cox. It’s understandable that their views have become narrow, after all the majority of the bloggers work at Gallaudet. Every fascinating article, theory, or true deaf issue for every deaf person throughout the world was tainted by their own narrow viewpoint that had only Gallaudet in it.
I did forget one thing regarding Gallaudet. It is clear that in victory, the true nature of the student that protested came out. What did they do? They burned effigies of Jane, engaged in a beer-fest, and generally acted like teenagers.
The sad part? They looked exactly like the protests in the Middle East that burned effigies of the United States. Except there, I don’t recall alcohol being chugged by leaders. It appears they have better understanding of how protests should go than LaToya and her partners. What role models they are! Sarcasm fully intended.
Gallaudet is a joke for every deaf community abroad and in the United States outside of DC.
Yeah, you’re absolutely right! the leaders in the Middle East are better. I mean, they send out suicide bombers, discriminate against women, hijack plans, but THANK GOD they dont’ drink!
It was inevitable they would have sent in the student suicide bombers, sooner or later!
Excellent review of my comments, wildstarryskies. You miss the point obviously, which was that the leaders in the Middle East understand the media much better and how to portray themselves.
But if you want to get into specifics, we can discuss the threats leveled against Jane and her family … Oh wait, did you say that the protest students are innocent? Really, now?
Also, way to go off tangent there, wildstarryskies. While I compared the protests, you choose to compare the actions of terrorist groups with student leaders. Are you calling all the people involved in protests in the Middle East terrorists?
Huh? I was responding to 29928. I didn’t go off on a tangent. I was responding to a comment someone typed.
No, I am not comparing people involved in the protest to Middle East terrorists. Someone brought up the analogy and I was trying to make a point that it was a faulty analogy.
Was that you? I don’t know, I just responed to “Anonymous”.
*shrug*
here is the FBI Definition
FBI
Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
*laughter*
Haven’t you ever heard the quote, “someone’s terrorist is someone else’s freedom fighter”.
How do you think the Crown viewed the American Revoluntaries back in 1774? You betcha they called them terrorists then.
Even then, there was no physical violence or force involved in this protest. I didn’t see anybody becoming violent with others.
If you really want to compare the students to people who flew planes into two buildings and killed three thousand people, go right ahead.
I’ll just be here in the corner laughing.
Intimidation is a form of violence.
I guess deaf people can be bigots too!
of course they can be. We’re human. Or did you think we were only allowed to be deaf and nothing else, not even smart, dumb, funny, sexy, smelly?
Smelly!
A few comments:
1.) Whether you liked Dr. Fernandes or not, she had to go.
2.) Honestly, I was shocked that the BOT fired Dr. Fernandes. I had always felt that the BOT couldn’t possibly change it’s mind because it would set a precedent. I was hoping that Dr. Fernandes would resign on her own.
3.) This thing is FAR from over. Right now, we all are in uncharted territory. Some thoughts in regards to the future:
a.) What will happen to Dr. Fernandes? I must say at the least, I was impressed by her convictions. She wouldn’t change her mind no matter what. IMO, a person of her talent is needed in the deaf community (just not as a leader, IMO). I think she could help us in other ways.
b.) What will happen to Dr. Jordan? People say his legacy was tarnished. I am not sure about that. I think his 18 year career speaks for itself. I also thought that he did what he thought was the best for the University. Yes, he ordered those arrests, but can you really blame him? He had to reopen the University. I agree that those students got themselves arrested on their own accord (still like Jordan, they did what they believed in). Will Dr. Jordan serve as president until January 1st? Or will he ride off in the sunset sooner? Interim president?
c.) The BOT? Will members of the BOT resign to be replaced by members who at least have their fingers on the pulse of the deaf community? Or is all forgiven because they fired Dr. Fernandes? Or do we need to rebuild the foundation? Or a little of both?
d.) The selection process? When will it begin again? Will there be more input from FSSA? Or will the input be the same, but the BOT will take it more seriously? Will it be more drawn out this time around?
e.) What will happen to the Fernandes supporters? I hope that those people do not suffer as a result of supporting her. I hope that their opinions will be respected and that we all can forgive one another.
f.) What will happen at other Universities? Now everyone will say, “Look at Gallaudet! They got rid of their President! We can do the same!”
g.) What reprisals will the protestors face? All I can think of is going to court for obstructing the 6th street gate…what else? Taking over HMB? Did they ever catch the person who defaced IKJ’s name outside of the SAC?
4.) Bottom line…the healing will begin now, but it’s FAR FAR from over. I just hope that we can capitalize on the positives from this protest: a.) The Deaf blogsphere. We are all much better connected today than a year ago. b.) The collective action taken by the deaf community to protest the selection, I hope that this collective action can be utilized to fight for other things such as captioing and accessibility issues. c.)Increased awareness of the term “audism”, I think with the increased awareness..we’ll all make a conscious effort to unify all kinds of deaf people.
Well said, JJ. I think you are asking the questions that everyone is asking…or at least should be! The answers are not going to come easy, nor quickly.
But they won’t come at all if we don’t start addressing them.
just to answer e and f.
For her supporters, they should organize themselves as well. Mobilize a group and keep your interests known. If one group can steamroll a school, why do people who dont agree have to take it? Simply put, by doing this it sets up a chain of recrimination, which is something I was worried that this protest would lead up to.
On f, uh no. First of all she wasnt even president yet. The factors that were in play are only found in a few cases, having the faculty vote of no confidence helped their cause, but in fact it is not a well used weapon unless aimed properly. And to make a point, this was a personal fight because JKF was not an outgoing person.
So, no it wont spread because there are a large number of people that believe in an orderly system or governance and dont have the self-avowed belief that a university has to be a moral beacon for others or a key center of culture.
J.J. Puorro,
Very well thought-out comment.
In response to 2., another effect is that the Board has lost some of its power. The FSSA, if it continues to exist as an organization, may have the ability exert more power on University operations.
In response to 3c, it appears that the protesters are satisfied with the termination of Jane Fernandes. They have closed up tent city and returned to classes, so we could probably interpret that action to mean they trust the Board to select the next President without a change in its structure or membership.
In response to 3e. it is very likely that the protesters will hold grudges against those who supported Jane Fernandes. The Deafhood workshops taught us that deaf vs. deaf conflicts undermine our common goals. Unfortunately, it is no longer solely a ASL vs. Oral conflict, it is now divided even further by two camps, the pro-JKF and anti-JKF groups.
While I like your optimism in point 4, I am afraid that this protest has only further divided “all” deaf people even more. Deaf or hard of hearing people who may not be very involved in the ASL community that heard about the “not deaf enough” card via the media may reject any attempts by the ASL deaf to unite the community. In addition, the ASL deaf individuals who supported Dr. Jane Fernadnes will probably be ostracized and thus will resist any efforts by those well-intentioned people who will attempt to re-unite the ASL community.
I agree with you, Shane.
This is a bit of a tangent, but I’m starting to think about the PR office’s role in this. Not that they are entirely responsible for the beating our public image has taken — they aren’t –, in hindsight, especially with the decision from the BOT, it seems to me as if the PR office really works (worked?) only for the administration, not for the students, not for the faculty, not for the BOT, and not for the Gallaudet community at large.
I have not yet seen any PR portrayal of the BOT’s decision as good, to be upheld by the community at large. It may be too soon, I don’t know, but I’d imagine it’d be time for the PR to switch tactics towards reunification and regaining credibility for all of us involved.
Instead, among the last official things released are a statement of pain from the BOT and a last parting shot from Jordan. I’m certainly interested in what transitional decisions the BOT made after they released their last statement.
Where do we, as a university community, go from here? It’s been almost 48 hours. Given the speed with which they reached their decision on Sunday night and publicized it via the PR office, I would hope more information would be soon forthcoming.
If I’m mistaken, please, anyone, correct me.
Actually it depends on how JKF supporters approached the situation. I know a small handful of students who were pro-JKF and, as far as I know, they were respected because they expressed their opinion in a manner that wasn’t overly combative.
Yeah, the protesters, both students and faculty, could be considered ‘combative’, but generally only to the administration and JKF, not towards their supporters.
In the midst of this aftermath of the Board of Trustee’s decision - which of course has generated about as much divided emotion as the protest itself did - I would like to offer up to all of us a little food for thought…
Conflict in a group does not necessarily mean something is wrong; it may mean that something is right. Sometimes, we need to confront people in order to stay in relationship with them. Honest, loving confrontation can deepen our intimacy.
From compassion, we can generate community. To put it crudely, we didn’t get into this mess alone, and we can’t get out of it alone. We need sustained support to enact our visions of healing and renewal…support that itself embodies the deep value we recognize in each other.
Reverend Ocean
Are you seriously going to tell me that Jane Fernandes is going to be accepted within the Deaf community at some point?
It is good to hope, but as a community there is much to still be discussed. Paticularly the power game that is now set in motion. For people at Gallaudet this will not be the last time you will have Plummer barging into your lives to make a point.
Johan, what is exactly your point? Are you a hearing person? What do you have to do with us?
I’m still baffled by the “us”. I never knew or conceived of you as “Deaf” or even “deaf” or hard of hearing.
That is not my problem, hon. You check your facts before you go to battle. I am profoundly hard-of-hearing if you want to know. Why don’t you ask me if you have a question? I am here for you. In lack of knowledge your fight is more like a joke. Don’t you think so???
I guess Johan is not deaf enough to be involved in this discussion, eh?
Fairly or unfairly, it’s going to be extremely hard to argue that Gally is an academic institution.
40% grad rate; shutting down the campus for students, workers and kids; and burning effigies in response.
We can leave the deaf academic institution alternative to Rochester, perhaps.
40% graduation rate? Is that limited to undergraduates? Embarrassing…
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/......2005.html
Program Performance Measures in Section 4. RIT Deaf is close to 70% for undergrad.
The dismal graduation rate makes me wonder if it includes those matriculated who decided to leave Gallaudet for an infinite number of reasons. Even so, it’s still dismal. I graduated from a university where the graduation rate, last time I checked, was 96%.
Thank God I didn’t go to Gallaudet. I went to a different midwest institution that is held in much higher esteem, and it’s paid off for my career in spades, rather than the toilet paper known as the Gallaudet degree (what a joke!)
She wasn’t fired. It’s more like they withdrew her appointment.
“Conrgratulations, you’re hired….. ummm, wait a minute… we’ve decided to go with someone else. Sorry ’bout that”
She was indeed fired the term used was “Terminated”
What is up with the quote in the NYT saying many protesters want Gally to ban the spoken language from classes and official meetings? Isn’t that against freedom of speech or something like that?
Thats the old deaf guard language to ban spoken language. They value the dependency culture they have become accustomed to.
That’s a very interesting viewpoint right there especially when Federal dollars goes to Gallaudet. Someone can raise this with hackles to Congress about that “discrimination”.
But will that really happen though? I think not. No one will allow the ban to take place for fear that Congress will CUT funding if that ever happens.
Allison, have you gotten your life back?
The Board of Trustees have voted to terminate (what a strong term, conveying the concept of a war here) Fernandes from her presidential election. Now what? This is only the beginning of another battle…
As for the safety and the future of people who supported Jane. It’s entirely up to what their base is.
Our base is deeply entrenched into the future of deaf society that the old deaf guards wont ever be able to tinker with us.
And we’ll be able to get our TC school this time since the ODG has provenly shown their wholesale inflexibility toward ideas that support the future of deaf society.
You know, a good friend and I were discussing the aftermath of the protests and if Jane definitely wins the lawsuit or gets a huge sum for settlement, we agreed that Gallaudet probably will pass on the costs of the protests to the students in the form of tuition increases due to legal fees and all that.
Before you speak up, think about this: Do you actually think Congress will allow Gallaudet to use Federal Funds to pay off Fernandes? No way, Jose!
So you protesters are gonna lose anyway as Gally will stick the increased costs onto you, which won’t make your state VRs, parents, and yourselves happy campers.
Someone has got to foot the bill for this and it ain’t gonna be Gallaudet themselves–it passes the buck onto the students themselves since they are the ones that brought this onto themselves.
Fernandes breached her contract when she got involved in the student arrests and tried to push Irving to the sideline. As designate she did not have authority to do that. Therefore she forfeited her right for monetary compensation. Probably, the university could sue her and make her pay for the inflicted damage.
As far as I understand, it was I King Jordan who ordered such arrests.
He actually stated so, thanks to several sources.
Care to yield your sources, or is it just your paranoia?
Oh wait, am I deaf enough to discuss this with you?
We have evidence that Jordan lied just as he did so many times. If his lies are effectively linked to gross and direct financial damages, then he will have to pay back all the lost money or accept prison term.
Fernandes showed up at the Security Kiosk on the day of arrest and made an ultimatum wrapped in a fake offer for chatting with her. When her ultimatum was rejected, she gave order to Jordan to initiate the arrests. Further evidences will be collected.
Jordan made sure that the arrests would start after dusk so that the Deaf students’ communication ability would be further hindered. It was very very pitiful. A class action may be an option. We will always remember of this day as Black Friday.
God! What’s wrong with all of you people! It’s so mean in here. I came here hoping to have a discussion about the future and seeking reconcilation. Yes, I know you’re upset and bitter that you didn’t get your way. It happened.
We all want to move on and make for a better Gallaudet, don’t we? Are you going to sit around and whine and predict doom and gloom and slander the entire deaf community just because you didn’t agree with the protest?!
YOu guys really, really need to take a chill pill, take time out to sit down and think. Did you see Jane or IJK behaving this way after the announcement? No. They both wrote very nice and thoughtful letters which I agreed with completely. I was impressed with the grace by which they accepted the decision and bowed out.
Do you really wish for Gallaudet to fall apart, just to prove that you’re right? If not, then accept that what’s done is done and work with all of us to improve things. We have a clean slate here to restart the presidental appointment process. I think this is a great opportunity to reform Gallaudet, into a better place, to pull up those graduation rates, to make it in to a stronger insitution for learning. I am excited about this opportunity and I will do what I can do to rebuild what is left from the rubble.
America became stronger as an union after the Civil War, and Gallaudet will be stronger, too. What we need to do is forgive each other and reconcile.
I know I’m probably blowing in the wind here, and all of you guys will jump on me and turn your words against me.
PLEASE prove me wrong.
Dont get me wrong here, it would be best if it could just blow over. However, JK did not resign, she was forced out of her position.
She did nothing wrong, except in the way she seemed to people who made assumptions based upon personality.
You cant possibly expect someone to have their name dragged in the mud, have an effigy of themselves burned, and have groups claim she would destroy the deaf community and then make it go away. I had that happen to me once in minor school politics and I am still incredibly sore about that.
If it seems I am one of those people fortelling doom and gloom, well I know of no other case where a possible president is taken out not for bad policies or bad actions, but for personality. I have immense pity for the next president, whoever that may be. Very likely it will be an transition president who will please no one, but be manageable. The school problems will not be resolved, and the school will be out close to $2 miillion to buy out JK’s contract (NYT). Celebrate now, because the school standing will fall in the next few years.
Also this protest setup a precedent at the school. This setup a situation which by law is illegal. The way the process works is within the channels of the system, something I have always said. Having a group of people to make an organization to change by threat of force is illegal. Before you start and say what MLK did was illegal too, keep in mind this is hardly the civil rights movement and this is hardly a case of discrimination even at the farthest strecthing of the truth.
So, WildStarrySkies, you want everyone to forget all of those cruel words hurled at each other in the past 6 months and join hands to sing Kumbaya?
You really must be that naive, or still think like a teenager who just had a nasty argument with her parents.
It will take a long time to heal and do not put the onus on the pro-Fernandes shoulders completely by telling them to get with the program.
“America became stronger as an union after the Civil War, and Gallaudet will be stronger, too. What we need to do is forgive each other and reconcile.”
That’s what I said. I didn’t say it’d happen overnight. I just said that sitting on the web spewing forth bitter words and accusations isn’t helping anyone, especially you.
Now that you’ve degraded and scorned me with your words, do you feel better? Is this helping anyone, most of all yourself? No it’s not.
Does it feel good to be degraded and scorned? Many folks who went to Gallaudet and didn’t support the protests felt degraded and scorned.
Is it helping? No, it isn’t. You’ve been honest and fairly straightforward with your views and I appreciate it.
You are correct, it won’t happen overnight. So why are you getting so emotional over heated debates that occurred days after the conclusion of the protest? After all, isn’t a dialogue neccessary, however heated?
“Chill pill”? Aquafina raised some important possibilities. However, as for Aquafina, it’s not even a sure bet that a lawsuit will be the case initiated by JKF. Until it does, we can only speculate.
I actually wasn’t referring to Aquafina. She did raise some good questions.
I’m talking about all the screeching about how it is now the downfall of Gallaudet, that the old deaf guard is taking over, etc:.
I’m not even referring to you. I do agree with what you said… “In short, it was ugly from all sides. You know who they are. Be accountable for your own actions because there are consequences to one’s own action. And those who insisted on making it worse are not part of the solution, but the problem. It’d be intellectually dishonest to think otherwise.”
You said it better than I did. Otherwise, we disagree about the Unity thing. But well, I’m tired of fighting about it. We disagree about the motivations of the protesters. That’s all there is to it.
What we need to do is discuss a solution. You obviously want there to be more open debate and independent thinking at Gallaudet. I agree. How do you think we can work towards that solution?
Can you offer a solution without putting down the protesters? Someone say something constructive, please.
oh, wait! wait! I know! I know! we’ll have a protest! we’ll yell, scream, draw cartoons, monopolize the blogosphere, block the GU gates, and lock down the buildings protesting Jane’s termination. We’ll write mass letters to Congress, Senate, Bush, the Queen of England, and the Sultan of Brunei protesting the termination. We’ll burn effigies of Noah, Ryan, Latoya, and Chris. We’ll ask to be arrested, and by gosh, we’ll tell them to put on real handcuffs, put us in the tank at the REAL DC jail, and forget about the interpreters. We’ll have daily press releases and be interviewed on Katie, Conan, Jay, and Letterman. We’re tough stuff, and we mean business, by golly! No tent cities, though. We’re bringing our mattresses from home and bunking down in the buildings.
… sorry. that wasn’t constructive, but at least I didn’t put down the protestors.
It didn’t put down the protesters. It wasnt’ constructive. Aer you finished wasting our time?
Why don’t you offer one yourself without being so critical of the ones who actually may criticize the protestors themselves?
Talk about a double standard …
[…] Not only does the Washington Post Express read DeafDC.com Blogs they read our comments too! “The Blog Log” in today’s Express featured the following quote by DeafDC.com commenter Virginia L. Beach: “Although I have not had a chance to see this victory video at this time…I have to agree. Sometimes victory is better celebrated with humility.” […]
I commend Chris and Allison on their blogging. The blog is the best I’ve seen- a lot of honest debate, tolerance for differing views, and soft moderating instrusiveness along with touching personal perspective. Brilliant blogging!!
Ron
Yes, you guys are doing great. I commend you for your good work. :)