Earlier tonight, my son, Joey, came home with his new deaf girlfriend, Lola, to get what they can’t have in the university cafeteria. Real food. And, of course, as we all know in Mexico, with real food comes good conversacion.
Lola regaled an incident where she said she was approached by a friend asking for her opinion on the recent Gallaudet Washington Post article.
“What is FSSA?” the friend casually asked.
Lola responded, “Damned if I know. My best guess would be something like, ‘Friggin’ Short Sighted Amateurs’ or you know what, I could cheat a little, claim ESL as an excuse and answer, ‘Fame Seeking, Shortsighted Amateurs’. Take your pick.”
“Smart girl. She’s quick on her feet” I thought. “But what I really want to know is - does she like my enchilada del camarón - my shrimp enchiladas?”
“Mmm. I haven’t had enchiladas this good since I was a kid. Speaking of kids, take a look at this.”
She pulls out her Apple Powerbook and shows me a snapshot of a group of young estudiantes - students who have been appointed the new spokespersons of the FSSA Coalition at Gallaudet University.
“Ms Garcia, let’s play a juego - a little game,” she said mockingly. “Take a gander at the photo and if you can guess the average age of this group, I’ll give you a dollar!”
I reply, “20?”. Joey says 21.
“Now I don’t doubt the ability of these individuos to be successful someday but I do question the ability of the American public to take this group seriously. Just take a look at them. Couldn’t they have at least have had the decency to dress up? I’m not asking for suits. Slacks or a skirt and a nice shirt would’ve been just fine, don’t you think? Si?”
“And don’t get me started with the poor muchacha wearing that godforsaken ‘Mexico’ t-shirt. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that she was forced to wear it.” It’s one thing to genuinely strive for diversity and completely another to have it shoved it right in my face. I’m sorry, but as a Mexican-American, I think that you’ll agree that this is an insulting and painfully obvious PR tactic that does nothing but scream, “Si, si, yes, yes. We really do care about diversity!”
Her hands flail wildly over her head as to sign, *BOOM*. Backfire! “Joey, am I right, I think the American idiom for this situation is,
‘Shooting oneself in the foot.’
Joey nods.
“And these wonderful shrimp enchiladas have me thinking that the equivalent Mexican idiom is,
Camaron que se duerme, se lo lleve la corriente. The shrimp that falls asleep, the current carries it away.
In other words, “You screw up, you lose!”
She went on to say that the PR blunder was just one of many that the FSSA have made. “No unity,” she says.
“They continue to fight a losing battle. They continue to flip flop. Oscilar like the water sprinkler in your backyard. They’ve been shot down. FSSA. Roll of thunder. Hear my cry.”
Parada. Parar el embarassment. Save yourselves from further shame and embarassment. Put yourselves out of your misery.
Crescendo.
“With all this negative exposure, they simply don’t stand a chance. If they don’t stop now, they will go down in history as being this amateurish, loosely-knit coalition that foolishly sought to rekindle DPN’s success. And if there was ever a way to jeopardize the legacy of Gallaudet University, this is it.”
Decrescendo.
She calms down.
“Sweetheart,” I reply, “why is it that you even care about what goes on at Gallaudet. You’re not a student there and I apologize if I sound rude, your plumas del peacock have been ruffled in a big way and I’d like to understand why.”
“Ms Garcia, I grew up revering Gallaudet. Esperanza. The school represented hope. Gallaudet taught me to believe.”
“And it’s high time for everyone to wake up. There is no consensus. This time around, not everybody agrees.”
She went on to explain that in 1988, DPN had incredible worldwide support. It is documented that even members of Congress descended onto Kendall Green to offer their help.
“My guess is that these congressmen and women are now rolling their eyes in their Senate offices thinking, ‘What’s the big deal? A formal search process took place and according to King Jordan, it was fair. How can we not believe him?’ “
“You know, it’s really as if they want to say, ‘Now could we please move on and figure out a way to solve this Foley fiasco?’ “
“Ms Garcia. Please understand that for me, this ridiculous comedy of errors is not about righting a wrong. There was and is no wrong. I see the situation as being an attempt by the radicals to turn the tables in the culture war that they are losing.”
“A culture war?” I ask.
“Yes!” she cried. “Gallaudet does not belong to the ASL community nor should it. Gallaudet belongs to all of us.”
“In 1988, the sides that were at war were those who were deaf and those who were hearing. In 2006, the sides that are at war are those who are Deaf and deaf.”
Despite Ms Fernandes being a more fluent signer than IKJ, it is clear that there is an almost-invisible, subconscious modern-day war being fought to ensure the emergence or continuation of certain cultural characteristics that will ultimately define Gallaudet’s future.
“And don’t give me any caca about how the search process wasn’t fair and how this isn’t about Jane. You know just as well as I do that it has everything to do with Jane and the fact that the Board of Trustees isn’t Deaf enough either.”
Joey replies, “So the FSSA needs to accept defeat?”
Silencio.
I wonder. Could Lola be the one? The one for my Joey?
And should I be concerned that she said, “caca” in my casa?
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I found this conversation fascinating because neither you or Lola attend gallaudet, but both still had an opinion.
the part of the conversation that caught my attention was:
“A culture war?” I ask.
“Yes!” she cried. “Gallaudet does not belong to the ASL community nor should it. Gallaudet belongs to all of us.”
I think that’s the best statement I’ve ever heard, Gallaudet belongs to all of us. We were all raised in different communities & different cultures (whether our parents are deaf or hearing, or whether we were born deaf, became deaf later in life, taught cued speech, taught asl, taught how to lip read & speak english)
We all still have one thing in common, we can’t hear (it could be severe or slight, it’s still all the same).
We just can’t hear….
I agree. I’ve been caught in this “cultural war” as an oral Deaf person and been criticized for not being Deaf enough.
The FSSA does not, however, consist of only a DEAF crowd. There’s quite a variety in there. So I feel the argument’s based on a straw man-that the protest is by, for, and about a specific segment of Deaf people.
I was not quickly accepted by anyone due to my learning ASL later in life. There is a large variety of tribes in the Deaf community, and no, not all of them get along.
Yet it was Jane Fernandes and her office which began the comments that protestors thought she was not Deaf enough. I feel this was a divisive tactic to prevent anyone focusing on the real issues.
Of course there are parallels to other communities and groups with internal fighting. I guess it happens everywhere. It just sort of proves, you know, how cultural the whole thing is, grin.
“I feel this was a divisive tactic to prevent anyone focusing on the real issues.”
Indeed. I feel the same way.
How can it be about Fernandes “not being Deaf enough” or like I. King Jordan saying it’s “identity politics” when some of the very same faculty, who voted no confidence, came from similiar background as Fernandes?!
How can anyone let them talk like that and hurt the Deaf community much further? It makes me wonder if their heart is in the right place if we are not in their best interest.
Well, I have been criticized and hassled by oralists, mainstreamed and anti-ASL folks for several years as well. Only because I chose to be educated in a Deaf school and chose ASL as my preferred sign language. Heck, I was even criticized by the same folks for not using my voice or refusing to speak! Furthermore, I was frowned upon and insulted by several local D/deaf women for choosing to date or be in relationship with hearing women.
Let’s face the fact: in every society and culture, hostility and condemnation spew forth from both sides.
Like Noelle, I have been attacked but not as an Oralist…
They attacked me for my choice to be mainstreamed. Even worser, I have been attacked by HEARIES about how “Deaf” I am.
I do label myself as Deaf and I use ASL daily (I do use interpreters! I never use my voice) and yet I should be punished for being fluent in English or wish to attend a local university despite the fact it is a hearing university?
That’s just wrong.
You shouldn’t have been attacked for your choice in attending the university you wanted. I chose to attend a liberal arts college because the academic courses given there were far superior to the ones offered at Gallaudet.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Erin. Gallaudet does belong to all of us, but the protests have mushroomed into a culture war. That doesn’t mean the complaints about JFK’s professional performance in the administration are invalid and trivial, but they have been regrettably lost in the flames of resentment towards her personal background. And it doesn’t help that the beginnings of the protests, some of them admittedly manipulated by the media, have sent the public wrong messages about the nature of the protests.
I don’t identify myself as someone who can’t hear but someone whose visual enhancement has given me the tool to absorb what is and the world around me.
From day one, I never agreed with King Jordan’s “We can do anything except hear.” Whoa, that sends me a yucky goose bump. At the same time, I understand why he said that because he lost his hearing at age 20.
I know I have ears but their purpose is aesthetic only :)
Aloha! I couldn’t disagree with such a statement that Gallaudet University doesn’t belong to the ASL community. It doesn’t belong to the English-speaking community, either. Gallaudet University is where ASL and English happen together but there is a language hegemony in which English is reguired and ASL is random. This is just my reaction to your witty conversation.
Lola said that Gallaudet belongs to both, the ASL and English-speaking deaf communities. Perhaps you can help me understand why you say that “ASL is random”. When I go on campus, everyone is signing. Where is ASL not required or present on campus?
English is required for graduation. ASL is not. Yes, everyone at Gallaudet University is signing but they do not study their own language for clarification, coherence, composition, and cross-linguistic/cross-cultural comparison with its English counterpart as part of the graduation requirement. ASL should belong in the university curriculum; it should not be allowed for a margin of communication. There is an academic vaccuum for ASL, the language and culture of the Deaf.
English is required for graduation? That’s news.
OH, my goodness! Skippy Edmunds! Collegiate English, Composition, and Literature are among the required courses toward the credits for graduation!
I think that, given the widely known quality of Gallaudet’s academic offerings, Skippy Edmunds may have been using … just a tad of sarcasm.
a tad of sarcasm or none, it’s not at all funny to those who struggle, struggle, struggle, and struggle to pass FWE and SWE! Insults or sarcasms, mocking at deaf students who struggle to pass their English, have no place here or anywhere else!
I wasn’t making fun of those who struggle with English. God knows I have my days. Still, the education at Gallaudet *is* an issue- for all of us, even non-students.
I agree with you, PR. Some certain deaf people act so elitistic towards those who don’t write well and struggle yet the same deaf people accuse native signers with good English skills of being elitists. They think they can have their cake and eat it. This appears to be a deep-rooted anger and resentment by those against native bilingual users. They need to re-direct it to those who deprived them in the first place.
Hasn’t it occurred to anyone that a large majority of deaf people struggle to read and write? It has NOTHING to do with them being deaf but often, many hearing educators want to lead everyone to believe it is to avoid responsibility for their own repeated failure that has been going for a hundred or so of years.
This may sound harsh, but many of deaf children’s English language development has been thwarted by hearing people through misguided several beliefs. They are NOT guinea pigs to be experimented where more than not fell through cracks. I, like some of you, could easily be among one of those victims and everyday I am blessed that I am not.
However, I feel helpless and terribly for many of those who are victimized by the hearing dominated system who knows zilch and continue to rule. We have to STOP turning a blind eye to who caused all of that and end the vicious cycle.
Speaking of quality of education, it is not only Gallaudet but also NTID, for Pete’s sake, as well as some other hearing colleges/universities.
Thanks for explaining. Would you still keep the English requirement if ASL is required in the Gallaudet curriculum?
Oh, golly! As for myself and I believe I can also speak for Carl and many others. Shane, how silly of you to ask such a question! Of course! Why would not anyone want to empower ASL/English bilingual education?
I am surprised that Gallaudet does not require basic ASL courses. After all the University *is* the center of the sign language universe. I certainly hope we will see a more visu-centric University in the near future.
Not all people think ASL/English Bilingual education is the way to go. Are they crazy? Not really, it’s just a difference of opinion and they all can cite reams of research papers to support their claims.
Shane, to the contrary, I’m well aware that hardly enough people support ASL/English bilingual education.
Now I have to ask you whether or not you ever pause to ponder about the educational and linguistical rights of deaf children of deaf parents?
Don’t you think it’s quite oppressive, on the verge of being abusive, to admit deaf children of deaf parents in a classroom when the teachers refuse to sign fluently or improve their receptive skills. As if that is not enough, many deaf and hard-of-hearing classmates coming from hearing parents do not sign fluently either.
Is the educational system fair to deaf children of deaf parents? Do they show respect for deaf children of deaf parents? Aren’t deaf children of deaf parents at the mercy of hearing teachers, deaf and hard-of-hearing classmates of hearing parents who don’t sign fluently throughout the day after day, year after year?
It is obvious you demand diversity, do you care about deaf children of deaf parents? As far as you’ve exhibited, do you care to hear my perception of you?
Please name just one school that exists solely for deaf children of deaf parents?
How many schools in the United States cater solely to deaf and hard-of-hearing children of hearing parents?
While deaf and hard-of-hearing children of hearing parents have countless educational options, why can’t deaf children of deaf parents and those who do support ASL/English bilingual education have just a FEW schools of their own?
I said that not all people think ASL/Bilingual education is the way to go in response to your question, “Why would not anyone want to empower ASL/English bilingual education?”
Since you raise new issues, I will respond to them.
Deaf children of deaf parents have every *right* to their linguistic preference (as well as hearing parents of deaf children who prefer the ASL/Bilingual approach). They should fight for it. No doubt, the world is not designed around their needs, and a paradigm shift is needed to meet them. Some would argue that Gallaudet should lead the way in this effort. There may be merit in this argument, because Gallaudet *is* the center of the sign language universe.
Does it mean to include the Manually Coded English systems or not when you said “sign language”? Or, did you mean ASL specifically? Just want to clarify.
Shane, last year Ryan Commerson had to stage a hunger strike to enforce ASL/English bilingual education in the state of Michigan. So many hearing parents with deaf and hard-of-hearing children were against it. But the people in the Dept of Ed finally made a small opening for babies from 0 to 3 to be educated in ASL/English bilingual education, specifically for those who want it.
Katherine, when I say ASL/English bilingual education, any kind of manual codes are excluded; however, for those who want it, speech training is definitely included
Okay. This will reveal myself to those who follow deaf politics in MI, but I gotta set the record straight here. My mother for 20+ years, had been working on changing the educational policy in MI regarding deaf children.
With Ryan Commerson’s hunger strike, and his vitrolic attacks against Beth Steenwyk and Cece Winkler…. It was an embarassment to many of us, both Deaf and hearing allies, in MI.
My mother was laying down the groundwork behind the scenes to slowly, but surely reform the educational system to support Bi-Bi for the parents who wanted them. Massive changes like this won’t, and SHOULD NOT happen overnight. We gotta work with the parents one on one.
DESPITE Ryan Commerson’s antics, the educational system is being reformed, finally. The only reason the Dept of Ed paid Ryan Commerson any attention was because he went on the hunger strike, but now, they’re not really paying him much attention anymore after it was revealed that he *cheated* on his hunger strike.
But Ryan Commerson and his friends didn’t, and still don’t understand, that double standards will not succeed. They want to tell people how to raise their children, and how to educate them, but by God nobody can tell Ryan and his friends what to do!
Vomiting rage on the hearing will only turn them away, like Ryan did to many hearing parents of deaf children. You will not believe how many e-mails my mother got from hearing parents of deaf children saying: ‘Oh my god. Is this how the deaf world is? Such full of RAGE and HATRED? Maybe I should implant my child and put him in the Oral program… because I don’t want my child to be like Ryan Commerson and his friends.’
~ A Deaf Pundit
PR:
Sorry for the confusion. My inquiry for clarification was intended for Shane, not you, on his statement, “…because Gallaudet *is* the center of the sign language universe.”
I am not interested in anyone trying to poiticize ASL by using “sign language” when it could be mistaken for other MCEs. Historically, people have referred a few of MCEs as sign language before linguists said they’re not language and ASL was recognized by linguists.
To be on the safe side, using “signed language” would give no room for misinterpretation or politicization of ASL. Hearing people use spoken language and that is automatically to mean English, Spanish, British and so forth.
Do they use “speak language” to refer their language as opposed to spoken? No.
Signed language would mean ASL, SSL, BSL, barring ambugity that “sign language” would.
Katherine,
Perhaps “ASL universe” is more accurate. Will use that from now on.
uh? I thought Gallaudet had separate ASL, Linguistics, AND Deaf Studies departments. Students can take ASL if they want to.
Shane,
As a college professor of some 20 years, I’ve always emphasized that an ideal college graduate can write a good essay that includes a thesis statement, topic sentences, examples, and a clear concise conclusion. I require all my ASL students to write essays about ASL or they cannot pass my course. Yes, I am facing a very difficult dilemma because most of my ASL students are hearing, and they are made to write about ASL. I do wish that most Deaf students do the same about ASL which is not happening.
Exactly, Carl! Indiana School for the Deaf is the only one I know that there is a class exclusively for students during one period to learn about ASL, its rules, syntax, grammar, structure for all ages, I believe. I learned about this during the ASL for All Kids Conference in Indianapolis a year or so ago.
What’s even more impressive is this deaf woman, who runs the interpreting program in Indiana, told me that passing their courses are not enough to become an interpreter. They have to go through the active Deaf community to get their approval.
Did you realize that the majority of the faculty members have given Dr. Fernandes a no confidence vote not just once, but also twice? I think the new policy, the restrictions on students’ expression, last June interferes with the students’ rights of speech, press, and assembly, as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
Included the faculty members, who gave Fernandes a no confidence vote, are those of similiar background as Fernandes — was oral, mainstreamed without exposure to ASL/Deaf Community until much later in life. That alone speaks volumes.
I’m a bit weary of this myth being repeated as fact. The no confidence vote occurred during a faculty meeting at which not ALL faculty members were present. So to say “majority of faculty” is not accurate. You could say that the “majority of faculty WHO WENT TO THE MEETING” voted no confidence. The rest of them stayed away. Secondly, rights of free speech, press, and assembly are not absolute. There are allowed restrictions. Enough said.
Ridor, get lost. You can either disagree in a civil manner or don’t say anything at all. Grow up already!
DON’T FEED THE TROLL!! Don’t attack on anyone like you did to Ridor! It seems like you have a personal issue with Ridor. If so, please put it aside and focus on what we are trying to discuss. We are entitled to hold any opinion as long as it’s relevant. Let us say whatever we like because that’s what freedom of speech is about. Respect anyone’s opnions/views. You may need a netiquette lesson! Anyway, everyone, let’s focus on what we were discussing. Thanks
Thank you for sharing the story with us. I especially loved how you concluded the narration with the witty comment of a caring mother. ;)
Are you saying that the FSSA needs better dressed people? Yes, you might be right about the image that kind of picture presents to the american public, but the message is the same, isnt it?
Culture war? I don’t know about that, yes there are elements of Deaf elitism here, but I feel that the main drive behind the protest is the lack of dialogue from the adminstration for so long, the lack of communication, acknowledgement. I do feel it is about Jane, yes of course, because of who she is and how she’s handled herself in the last decade and more recently during the protest.
I hold my belief that the search process was flawed for 2 good reasons (based on what we all know, I have no idea what other reasons the BOT is witholding, if any). I support the FSSA on the premise that the search process was flawed.
I look at some of the protestors and it does disgust me to see them smiling, laughing, giggling, etc while they’re marching or chanting something directed to the adminstration as if its nothing that they really believe in, these are the uneducated people that just want to be along for this “badass” ride, I don’t respect these people. I do respect the people that have a firm belief in this protest and are standing up for it strongly. This whole protest has been a very negative thing because of how both the FSSA and adminstration has handled it so far.
I’m curious Juanita, what is your… opinion on the protest? The FSSA? The premise of the protest? Do you think anything that’s happened up to this point is significant?
Which protest? The “she’s not deaf enough, she doesn’t use enough ASL” protest? Or the one that focuses on the issues? This is failing because there are two distinct protests going on.
I must admit Lola raised good points but I’m not sure I agree with her wholeheartedly. To sum it up, far too many people or audists never listen to deaf people in general. I can understand why people want to make Gallaudet a cultural place in addition to an educational place. I was told that an educational institution can’t be a “cultural” place. But look at Howard University, Moorehead College (sp?)…if it’s possible over there, why not for Gallaudet. I dream one day that Gallaudet will be a place where the hearies are forced to listen to US. Forgive me if you don’t understand what I mean…that’s O.K. One day, you will.
from article: And should I be concerned that she said, “caca” in my casa?
Yes you should. She should be speaking English. Or at least cueing English. :)
About Lola’s comments. I think she should’ve realized that Martin Luther King Jr. had been in a similar but entirely different situation. MLK Jr. and his movement had been laughed at, threatened, stoned and taunted that his (and their) movement for fighting a losing battle.
Lola, if you read this (if not, Juanita, please print or show it to her), guess what? They were wrong. MLK Jr. and his movement has revolutionized America. Guess who has the last laugh? Well, you know the answer–assuming that you had studied some American history… My response to Lola’s comment brings me to post two well-known quotes. First quote:
“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they arrest you, then they fight you, then you win!” — Mahatma Gandhi
Lola, memorize it all the time. All the time, my dear, because FSSA now is in the second or third stage–some folks here ridiculed the FSSA or Unity For Gallaudet movement and some strong-willed students or staffs at Gallaudet had been threatened or fired for merely voicing their disagreements. Second quote:
“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it” - George Santayana
Indeed. There were a lot of moments in history where many unsung heroes have revolutionized many things that changed people’s lives for the better. They have been laughed at, taunted and threatened with various unethical behaviors from ignoramus people but they made it out which helped people (example: Bill of Rights).
However I wholeheartedly agree with Lola’s statement, “Gallaudet belongs to all of us.”
Wow. Bravo to Juanita for posting this article. Not many would have the courage to do that.
As for FSSA, I have to agree. If FSSA wants to be taken seriously, they need to look and behave more professionally. Their issues with JKF isn’t even that coherent. Which is why JKF can get away with blowing off the FSSA.
KBM’s comments in the other thread, ‘Tent City Revived?’ says it all about FSSA’s tactics, but nobody of course, responded to that. Nobody wants to. :P
And yeah. I think it’s absolutely fair to say that we’re in the midst of a culture war right now. With all of the changes in technology and in education, I can certainly see why so many Deaf feel threatened at the possibility that ASL and the Deaf culture fading away. And it IS a legitimate concern.
It’s just too bad that the ‘leaders’ don’t realize that this kind of tactics FSSA is pulling will just cause more damage and ergo, more exodus from the culture and community.
One last comment: I don’t understand this politicization over ASL. Without question, ASL should be part of Gallaudet’s curriculum, but only because the more communication skills you have, the better. It’s also a good way to impart the Deaf culture to those who haven’t been fully exposed to it. Nothing wrong with that.
ASL, however, should NOT be used as a tool to shame each other because we don’t sign ASL ‘good enough’… And believe me, that’s what is happening at Gallaudet and among the ‘elite’ Deaf. That behavior is just equally as bad as hearing people shaming us because we don’t speak ‘good enough’… Which is why FSSA and their supporters are losing this cultural war.
~ Deaf Pundit
Another provacative post from Juanita. But I am absolutely flabbergasted how the words of Lola, from what I could discern from the blog, someone newly arrived to Gallaudet, could say FSSA PR is a blunder! If she was there at the beginning fighting in the trenches I would understand.
Look at history. Those who eventually profit from a battle are the bystanders like Juanita. The Civil Rights battle of the 1960’s, who profitted most? White women and Asians! And ADA? Those profitting most arent the actual people Congress had in mind. DPN? The only people profitting from it are King Jordan, Paul Kelly and the hearing people promoted to top positions at Gallaudet.
Dan,
Do you know whether there are “strong Deaf” individuals that have top positions at Gallaudet?
“all of us”???
Gallaudet belongs to ASL users, native or otherwise. Surely Gallaudet is not for anti-ASL oralists! Anyone should be welcome at Gallaudet as long as they can sign (or are willing to learn) and as long as they respect ASL. There are gazillons of other places where anti-ASL people can go for their education (or to work). Why would they want to come to Gallaudet if they are not going to sign?
I’m sorry to read how some of the posters above experienced rudeness and unpleasantries from the so-called Deaf elite or other individuals who think that they are “more Deaf.” While not excusing their behavior, I wonder if this stems from their perception that ASL has a low status as a language at, of all places, Gallaudet. If memory serves me, Gallaudet’s language policy mischaracterizes ASL and thereby devalues it. It is difficult to see how this mischaracterization is *not* unintentional; Jordan and Fernandes can’t be unaware of how languages are defined and how distasteful the policy is to ASL users. But it is not difficult to imagine that the current administration could have more effectively promoted ASL and directed *both* native or near-native ASL users and non-fluent signers to maintain an ASL-signing environment in which both ASL and signers at any level of fluency are respected. Respect was mentioned in the language policy, I think, but the devaluing of ASL is the ultimate disrespect to not just the elite Deaf but all ASL users.
DSA, please tell me more. What is Gallaudet’s language policy? Where can I see it for myself so I can make my own judgments? Exactly how does it “mischaracterize” ASL? Why should the policy be distasteful to ASL users? Knowing how universities work, I am positive the current policy was the work of a committee and not IKJ or JKF all by their lonesomes. And knowing Gallaudet, I’m positive that some “strong deaf leaders” were involved with the policy committee. If the policy isn’t to their liking, are they not partially responsible for it?
Juanita,
You are a gifted, even poetic, writer. I really appreciate how honest your posts are and how you go back and forth from English to Spanish and occasionally even sign too. I also appreciate your way of looking at the world, even if I don’t always agree with you. Thanks for blogging here.
I’m curious how Joey likes Georgetown; it’s great he has managed to find a deaf girlfriend, when I know that was on his mind a little bit when he was trying to choose a college last spring.
Juanita … I wish you would stay in Mexico. Seriously … your postings are so stupid I cannot believe that some deafies actually think you are so wise or gifted. It is really sad that you mock the other Hispanics who are really supporting the Deaf movement.
I can tell by your posting and tactics that your a member of the FSSA! This is the kind of action the group is known for.
They dont want to engage in meaningful dialogue or debate but shoot down anyone who disagree’s with them without even a slight offer as to their purpose.
Unity for Gallaudet the true voice of Gallaudet those who oppose the protest are the ones who are really scared to speak up!
It has been said over and over that some members of FSSA are scared to speak up because of reprisals from the administration yet so many speak up or is it so few?
Notice how few actually stand up against the FSSA because we are the ones who are really afraid, we are the ones who have so much more to loose.
I love her posts. You likely would too, if you found them to be on the “right side”. Friend of Delia’s I presume? :-)
Claiming that the search process was fair, and that this whole thing is a culture war indicates that you haven’t really looked at the core reasons for the protest (It is either that, or you are simply ******* stupid). A culture war wouldn’t result in a vote of no confidence given by the faculty…
If the search process actually wasnt fair, do you seriously think King would admit this?
And judging the “clout” of a group by their age and attire? Its the brains and passion that count. They once mocked Steve Jobs because of his youth, and his jeans and flip-flops. Little did they know that he would change the world…
I can’t speak for the others, but you obviously do not know Ryan C. and his passion. Do not write this guy off.
And you obviously do not know Jane Fernandes.
You know what bugs me most about this entry- Ms. Lola made many assumptions that were unfounded.
First of all, the protest leader’s ages? The average age is NOT 21. You’d be amazed at how old some of them were. Secondly, the protest leaders of DPN weren’t dressed much any better? Has anybody forgetten Jerry Covell walking around in his sneakers, jeans and a t-shirt?
Third, she says, “A formal search process took place and according to King Jordan, it was fair. How can we not believe him?’ ”
why are we obligated to believe him? Is he the our master? Is he the final authority of what goes on at Gallaudet? Just because he was chosen to be President of Gallaudet University does nto mean he has the ultimate say or authority to say what goes or what doesn’t go. If being the Presidnet means he has ultimate authority on what is to be believed and what is not, then God help us. I know Universities are not democracies. But they aren’t theocracies or dictatorships, either!
I want to ask Lola - did YOU sift through the issues? Did you read the articles? Talk to the people? Do some fact-finding? Check on the information that was given out?
Or did you, with a knee-jerk reaction, dismiss the whole protest as a personal agenda of some militants? Did you just assume that since we support use of ASL at Gallaudet, your choice of communication is automatically invalid?
That brings me to the last question, something has BUGGED me since the very first day - If you do not want to use ASL, you do not suppport the use of ASL in an educational setting, if you feel that enforcing the use of ASL, to establish ASL as equally vital and important to the life of Gallaudet University is unacceptable..
then, why, oh why, are YOU at Gallaudet University? It’s as if you moved to a University in Mexico and now you’re complaining because you don’t speak Spanish that well, that the professors and other students are oppressing you because of your language choice. You’re in Mexico! People speak Spanish in Mexico!
Why do people feel that ASL does not receive the same respect or acknowledgement that other foreign languages receive? Why is it ok for a woman who can barely sign ASL to be the CHAIR of an ASL department, to be CHAIR of the Board of Trustees? Would a woman who can barely speak Spanish be hired to be the CHAIR of an Spanish Department? CHAIR of the Board of Trustees of the imaginary University of Mexico?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I have no problem with JK’s language ability. I don’t support the choice of her as the President of Gallaudet, but not because of her ability to use ASL. I don’t support her because I do not feel that she really understands the needs of Gallaudet University. I don’t support her because she thinks it’s perfectly okay to initiate such machiavellian manipulations such as misrepresenting the protest, trying to get the “hearing world” on her side, and claiming she is fluent in ASL when she is not.
If the President of University of Mexico stood up in public, and said, in very mangled Spanish, “I am fluent in Spanish”, imagine the outrage there would be.
When will people start giving ASL the respect it deserves? Gallaudet University should lead the way in establishing ASL as a bona fide, legitimate, valid, accepted, respected, supported…. (fill in the blank)language that is EQUAL to the use of English.
Hearing World, schmearing world. We’re in Mexico. People speak Spanish.
It’s that simple.
Um. Look, the deaf community is made up of a huge variety of inviduals, such as oral Deaf people, ASL Deaf people, CUED speech Deaf People, and Hard of hearing. You’re making this into a cultural war of who’s “Deaf” enough again. I don’t think ASL should be a prequisite of “Deafness.”
Excellent point. ASL does not define Deafhood.
I never said you had to sign ASL to be deaf. I NEVER said that. Please don’t assign ideas and motives to me that I never articulated!
Please reread the article.
I only said that Gallaudet should more aggressively promote the use of ASL throughout its faculty, staff, and students. I only said that ASL deserves much more respect than we’ve given it.
You have your communication choice, that is fine. That does not make you any less deaf/Deaf.
However, for you to come here to Gallaudet and complain because the community in general DOES use ASL…. that’s what I really don’t understand. If in Rome, do as the Romans do… If you went to Italy, and got upset because the waiter didn’t speak English, wouldn’t that be a bit, um, odd?
If you really don’t want to sign ASL, you don’t really want to learn ASL, then I don’t understand why you are at Gallaudet. I’m not being sarcastic here. I seriously would like an answer to that question. Please help me understand.
There are lots of programs that support whatever communication choices you make. There are plenty of opportunities for you. Where is my opportunity? Where is a place in the world where everybody signs ASL and it is fully accessible to me? Where, if not Gallaudet?
I have no problem whatsoever with the choices you make, and I don’t think of you as “less” deaf. I can sign ASL, I can use simcom, I grew up using Signed English, as a matter of fact, and I can speak and lipread a little. I use whatever communication method is necessary at the time and I have no qualms whatsoever about it.
THAT is what deafhood is all about, respecting everybody’s communication choices. After all I do respect JK’s communication choices. I respect yours as well.
Do you respect mine? Can you possibly see how much I love ASL and see what a beautiful language it is, and understand why I want to promote it, WITHOUT saddling me with your bad experience, your baggage, the “militant deafie” strawman?
I’ve been there too. I used to hate Deaf of Deaf, I hated militants, I hated everybody who made fun of my signed english skills, but after I learned ASL, I realized that that’s not what ASL is about. That’s not what deafhood is about. I realized I wasn’t gonna let some jerks with a overgrown sense of entitlement take the deafhood experience away from me.
You shouldn’t either!
Wildstaryskies:
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt post.
I know that DoDs and native users of ASL are not the only one who feel the same way as you do.
Funny how you capitalized the “h” in “Hard of hearing”. So there’s a capital “H” Hard of hearing and lowercase hard of hearing? What is the difference between the two? And what is the difference between oral Deaf and oral deaf?
I think you are lumping all people with hearing loss into one “community.” This does not accurately reflect the real world. Someone suggested elsewhere that we ASL users call our community not the Deaf community but the ASL-using community. This sounds attractive because we are tired of people like you Noelle who are hijacking the word Deaf so that it loses its original meaning. If we call our community the ASL-using commmunity, all oral people, cued speech people, hard of hearing people who do not use the natural language of ASL cannot object to it.
Then the lines are clearer: it will be easier to see whether non-signers with hearing loss and their allies would support without reservation our demand for signed language linguistic rights in public education and elsewhere. But I think we know how that community would respond.
wildstaryskies:
Beautifully put! You have nailed every part and I certainly hope Juanita will keep an open minded when reading your post.
After reading all the posts, I need to ask again - Exactly what is the purpose of the FSSA? What are their agenda? I am only seeing discussions about the “laid-back” attire of the students, but nothing about the faculty and their strategies. That would be helpful in understanding their direction.
I do support the fact that we may need to choose a candidate who represent the majority of the university, but it needs to be someone who can improve the university that will allow more employment opportunities for the deaf - regardless of their biological or cultural deafness.
That should be the primary focus for the next president because like many of us already know - a large majority of the deaf population are either in the educational or mental health field. For some reason, I feel that is somewhat restricting because for those who decide not to go to other colleges because of the cultural immersion at Gallaudet, they should have more opportunities to choose different majors that is not related to liberal arts, such as information technology, law, or medicine. That probably sounded too ambitious, but hey if they can do it, then why not?
As a non-Gallaudet alumni and a working professional, it’s enlightening reading and understanding these posts during my lunch break at the office. So many able and bright people out there and it reminds me how damn proud I am as a deaf person.
I can help you out there, C&D. The aims of FSSA are two: reopen the search process and JKF to resign as the president select. That’s all there is. No wonder they’re losing, eh. They aren’t going to win this one. I hope that FSSA will wake up, see the light, and start working with the deaf community, Gallaudet, and the BoT on the things that can be changed, and not on what cannot. If they can do this, I’m certain they will see a lot more support from the outside community than they’re getting right now.
I had to smile (sonrisa) at the typical loving distress of a mother regarding today’s young people. Si, they wear T-shirts. Si, they delight in staging the obvious in this racially diverse photo. I have teenagers, and they tweak me unmercifully on my attitudes that used to be considered liberal in my youth! Now I endure gutter language, spiked hair, shaved heads and Mohawks, and yes, T-shirts with unbelievable logos and language. Then I have to endure “oh Mom, you’re so old-fashioned!” Juanita, being from the old country, you have an education coming. If “caca” is the worst word you have heard in su casa, consider yourself fortunate. With their unabashed diversity and diverse language, bless ‘em at Gallaudet, for they will bring fresh air to a staid campus.
DPG
To everyone:
This is a powerful analysis by Patti Durr on “Isms” along with the history associated to them at Gallaudet:
http://www.aslcommunityjournal.com/blog/?p=24
After reading it, you can decide for yourself.
Fresh off the Washington Post this morning - Gallaudet makes the front page
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....00405.html
I see that Ryan Commerson is the “spokesperson” for this protest, but after viewing his video, I have to admit that he’s being a little extreme. “The students and faculty living in fear?” Come on, that’s preposterous. Since when their lives were in jeopardy?
Amen, C&D. The levels of hyperbole being expressed from FSSA is reaching the astronomical! I’m appreciating the ironies of seeing pro-FSSA engage in their deficit thinking for pages and pages… whereas others are showing true Deafhood by accepting all deaf and every deaf regardless of schooling or mode of communication as one big deaf collective. Review Part III, Genie Gertz’s Deafhood presentation at JoeyBaer.com, and you’ll see what I mean. I’m more than ready for everyone to get on the same page and address the issues that concern us all.
I am very disappointed about lack of alumni or faculty spokeperson for the FSSA. They would be more articulate and logical than the current FSSA spokeperson, especially Ryan Commerson.
Many Gallaudet students agreed with me how they really feel about Ryan Commerson being an ineffective FSSA spokeperson.
I have nothing personal against Ryan Commerson as a person. He is really a NICE guy.
I would like to see Jesse Thomas being the major spokeperson or someone with media expertise. We need real media expert like several Gallaudet alumnis. I would not list their names on the public forum.
We need several deaf people with the public relations degree or media relations for effective public opinion broadcastings.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLM, you’ve got to be kidding! When a BoT member asked for an example of oppression at Gallaudet, Jesse Thomas said his “mind raced all over the place.” He was not prepared for the question. Spokesperson? I don’t think so. Ryan Commerson … um… how can I put this? He may be nice, but I haven’t seen that in him on any of the videos. Raging and out of control is more like it. good looking, though.
More articles on the Gallaudet protest - this one’s from CNN’s Education Page:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/.....index.html
Students claiming campus safety using pepper spray, but the administration denies that. Hmmm. Correct me if I’m wrong - the university is owned by the federal government? Well, does anyone know what are the legal ramifications for students taking over a building on federal property?
Gallaudet University is really a private university, but would consider the quasi-federal agency as what the 1950s congressional report indicate the status of Gallaudet College.
Of course, Gallaudet University transformed itself in many ways from 50s to 2000s when come to the finanical support of daily university operations.
Everyone seems keep discussing about the status of Gallaudet University whether it is really a private university or federal properrty.
The truth of the PRESENT Gallaudet University is the private property donated by Kendall Amos which never have been the federal property. The IKJ and JK adminstration just try to scare off people about the Gallaudet University being the federal property. Why didn’t the protestors have been arrested back last May for blocking the route access via entrance points?
Many universities receive federal fundings for various research studies and grant supports, BUT would not make these campuses to be the federal property.
Gallaudet University and Howard University did have the real special relationships with the federal government til the late 80s. Both universties finanically supplaned themselves wtih private donations and constant fundraisings nowadays.
Where are the FBI or federal law enforcement officers on the premise of Gallaudet University so far?? Where is the annual GAO report of Gallaudet University’s entire budget??? Yes, GAO could investigative on Gallaudet’s federal spendings where they go.
Police brutality must stop right now!! Oppression and terror is all over the campus. David King, a well-known bully who was linked to physical threat at a mailing list, sent an intimidating letter to protestors, threatening with lawsuit. The guy is from Africa, I mean he knows sht of American law zero. He is puppet, instructed from Kelleher’s anti-protest headquarter. There was a fake bomb scare, probably a felony committed by her Gang. Students were brutalized by the Gallaudet police. AOP reigns on campus!! (Apparatus of Oppression, word coined by Kathy Woods)
The Board of Trustees escaped the campus. They left behind AOP. They are not willing to face the challenge. Arrogant members of the Board (allegedly female) terrorize others into submission to Jordan the ‘Godfather’ and his cose nostra. Decent Board members have stand up! They need to take back leadership of the Board from the reign of puppets, restore the Board’s dignity and resolve the crisis at Gallaudet. Otherwise Congress will have to act and create a new page in Gally history.
Jane Fernandes revealed her true face as arrogant and oppressive power-grabber. She will never be accepted. Jordan’s legacy is finished. He became one with Kim-Ir Tseng II of North Korea. His personal cult needs to be dismantled.
A whole lotta work must be done before we can truly rest and resume normalcy.