According to Diana Jean Schemo’s article, Jane Fernandes believes that survival of Gallaudet University depends on its degree of inclusivity. This reminded me of a comment once made by one of our fellow bloggers, who noted that we need to be more mindful of “hearing diversity” within the deaf community. Another fellow blogger also commented that socially, we can be cliquey when it comes to our communication preferences. But, of course, through all the programs under Gallaudet’s handle, one can hardly argue that they discriminate against prospective students based on preferred mode of communication (or choice of hearing “aid”).
The past two weeks has demonstrated a clear rift between the edges of our deaf community - and I’ve noticed that sometimes it does indeed come down to Jane Fernandes’ “degree of deafness”. This definitely was not the focus of FSSA’s mission- although I’m not sure why they singled out Cochlear Implant users in their web statement, when they could have just easily named any other segments of the deaf population. FSSA partially addresses the issue of “hearing diversity” in their “Not Deaf Enough?” letter. They, however, simply state that their members come from varied backgrounds and instead draw the focus on other kinds of diversity- and their intent to stay united.
In the very end, this is really about the direction in which Gallaudet is headed- and again, the issue of “hearing diversity” must be aggressively addressed if we want to truly unite. It’s easy for us to say that we’re open-minded; however, I personally have seen little evidence of that over the last two weeks. The common motif seems to be that ASL-users think that their oral counterparts simply don’t get it, and vice versa. I’m obviously over-simplifying here, but if a Culturally Deaf President was to replace Jane Fernandes as our ninth (or tenth president, whatever), would Gallaudet move into a more inclusive path in terms of “hearing diversity”? Would they gain more support from the rest of the world as a result?
p.s. My deepest apologies to those who are tired of reading about the Gallaudet saga.
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I’ve said before in one of the other websites that it’s good to have some deaf/hard of hearing who are labelled as hearing in mind around, and we should benefit from working with them. They have completely different perspectives that sometimes, I stress sometimes, can be refreshing. That’s my global thinking here. So discriminating against those with different communication preferences isn’t helpful in the long run. I’ve said before that we need to be gentle with them for they could be our best allies. One doesn’t need to sleep with them, just be gentle and respectful.
I understand what you’re getting to. However, assuming that JK’s more inclusive of all kinds of deaf people simply because she grew up oral is like thinking an african american couldn’t be a racist just because he/she was black, or the opposite: if you’re white, you must be a racist.
In my opinion, JK saying one of the reasons she’s qualified because she’s “the future of Gallaudet” (because she grew up oral and the deaf nation’s presumptively becoming more oral because of CI) is as bad as if we really rejected her just because of her background- both are equally shallow and superficial. I don’t deny SOME of the protesters are prejudiced, but overall, our reasons are pretty solid. It’s too the media never bothered to report on them fully.
As for FSSA mentioning CI, they obviously want to show that they’re not deaf militants and that they come from all kinds of backgrounds.
There’s a definite rift in the deaf world but not just between the “little deaf” and the “big D” folks. It’s also between those who are knowledgable about JK’s past performance and who aren’t. You may disgaree, but it seems to me out of those who have actually dealed with JK, about 90% of them are against her. Those who haven’t and are merely watching from a distance usually support JK, because she seems qualified… ON PAPER, and don’t know much about her leadership abilities.
Ben, that’s why it’s *important* for those who have been at Gallaudet under Fernandes educate those who graduated before she arrived. By “educate,” I mean providing examples that can be backed up by evidence of one kind or another. General, non-specific phrases like “She’s had 6 years to prove herself!” or “We’ve suffered under her– we know what we’re talking about!” do little to attract support. Many, many alumni are concerned, sympathetic, and ready to support the students, but not all of them are going to parrot lines and jump on the bandwagon until they fully understand what’s going on– a comphrensive, fully-backed narrative WILL win sympathy and support. I really think when the students return in the fall, and if they decide to resume the protest in full, that they do a better job of getting their side of the message out. It’s the only way they’re going to win the war.
I think there really isn’t any.
I mean, everyone knew she was interested in being President way back so a list of grievances could have been easily made in that time frame…,
And 12 days was not enough to come up with a **** list?
More like, grasping at straws here…
Obviously, everyone has their own agendas/motives here.
Correction: “It’s too bad the media never bothered to….”
Ah I wish I could delete the above comments- I’m tired and misunderstood some of your points.
You asked:
“….but if a Culturally Deaf President was to replace Jane Fernandes as our ninth (or tenth president, whatever), would Gallaudet move into a more inclusive path in terms of “hearing diversity”? Would they gain more support from the rest of the world as a result?”
My simple answer is, it depends on what kind of person the president is, not his/her background. For example, ex-candidate Ron Stern is culturally deaf but, to dabble into stereotypes, is a typical Jewish intellectual- somebody who’s very tolerant and accepting of multi-culturalism. He clearly demonstrated an ability to develop rapport with all kinds of people- yes, including hearing people. His fundraising efforts have been extraordinarily successful, as a result.
Blah Blah Blah… know what we say at the office? If Jane has p*ssed off so many deaf people, she must have been doing something right.
There are some who say that IKJ’s comments to the media (”squabble over what it means to be deaf”) has set back 20 years worth of deaf-unity/hearing-diversity.
I disagree. Are there people out there who now have lowered their opinions of certain deaf groups just because of this protest? I’m not one of them. I think there is a tremendous amount of acceptance of hearing-diversity in our community. It’s part of our increasingly-divergent evolution as a cultural group. I’d like to think that our unity is far stronger than the comments of one or two people in the newspaper.
These media statements try to manipulate public opinion and Congress against Gallaudet protestors. They show Fernandes as a victim of intolerance, and she is absoluteley ready to reap the fruits of this false victimhood. What a scam!!
The real reason Fernandes is unfit for president is that declining academic standards during her years as provost damaged the reputation of Gallaudet degrees and lowered its value at the job market.
[…] I got an e-mail in response to my “hearing diversity” post. The author prefers to be identified as “KBM”. I have not yet seen this issue addressed publicly on any of the many blogs covering this Gallaudet protest, and very much feel that this needs more attention. I just wanted to say despite FSSA’s diverse members, the protest is also split along racial lines. As a long time active member of NBDA, I can tell you from a quick look at the petition, I recognized at least 1 or 2 NBDA members’ name on it. Nope, I didn’t sign it either. 25 BDA chapters nationally, and we have 1 or 2 names, is especially telling on where our views of this protest stands. Our view on this protest is that it is sore losers bunk. […]
I don’t think she referred to the hearing when she commented on inclusivity. She was referring to diversity of Deaf people. Ms Fernandes has a history of maximising numbers by lowering standards instead of focusing on high achievement. I expect the entire college to become little more than a work preparation center now. Expect more hearing people on campus-studying us.
Nothing wrong with any of this-it’s just not my dream for Gallaudet, and doesn’t look like the place I’ll want to go for my next degree. Too bad, just got money for it.
By “hearing-diversity”, I meant all D/d people- regardless of their communication preferences, in addition to hearing people. I know “hearing” is a poor choice of term- what would you suggest?
I don’t understand that perception. I think the perception of that type of “diversity” is false… we are all Deaf people. Our difference is not in our bodies but in our ability and choices about communication - largely because these are our visible differences, since we are an invisible race (unless we’re tagged by our Blackberries and implants and hearing aids and TTYs and endless other gadgets…)
There’s no easy answer to your question but I’d like to suggest that the issue of real importance is one of where a person is in their acceptance of their own deafness, Deafness, hearingness, Hearingness, etc. etc… people achieve a state of Deafhood where they learn where they are on their own mental map, and where they can be to obtain their maximum personal power: this allows them to see themselves as other sees them.
We have to remember when we use terms like d/D, no matter what their source of personal power, we are repeating discrimination against us - after all, amongst ourselves, there is no true difference; the difference is in how we communicate with hearing people; but it comes back and it divides our community, to whom it should be meaningless (except to people who are brainwashed to think otherwise.)
Example, even though I speak and sign both, it really doesn’t matter to me. It’s not a huge mindblowing issue. I take people as they come. To CERTAIN PEOPLE, the issue is obviously very important, to the point of superseding their view of the individual.
Oh god, I spent too long in Women’s Studies… Look, you know how sometimes people get so blinded by the gender question that they can’t see what women can really do because they’re women? Same thing, but with Deaf people. Deafhood is also about comfort with internal and external diversity. We must become comfortable enough with our deafuality so that we don’t become upset with the deafuality of others.
Erfo is here and says hello.
You all have to be deluding yourselfs on ‘ludes to even posit that there is one big happy family at Gallaudet. There never was, there never is, and there will never be…
I was a student there once, and there is really a large, uncrossable gap between the Deaf and everyone else. No words can obsfucate that fact.
And, the sad thing is.. they actually do think that’s its ok to discriminate against others because they have felt the brunt of that discrimination just because they are *gasp* deaf.
Well, in any case, Gallaudet will do them a lot of good… after all, they are the very people who move onto gaining employment in deaf schools, deaf organizations, group homes, or being welfare benificiaries. So, not really much of a harm to them, or to the rest of the word.
In the end, only themselves will give a flying **** as to what is going on at Gallaudet… its really one big, big echo chamber. No one else will—alas, I’m starting not to….
This is really Deaf (and I strongly emphasize the big D) culture’s last stand… and by the looks of it, Jane isn’t the one who is General Custer.
Great blog, Julie. I always look forward to the perspective your posts bring.
“[I]f a Culturally Deaf President was to replace Jane Fernandes as our ninth (or tenth president, whatever), would Gallaudet move into a more inclusive path in terms of “hearing diversity”?”
This is an interesting question to ask. I know I certainly needed to see examples of Gallaudetians who weren’t necessarily all pro-Deaf power or culturally Deaf before I was willing to enroll.
I’d agree with Ben M. - it’d depend on the person’s overall attitude about the whole thing. I did, after all, meet many culturally Deaf people who were entirely accepting - and yes, even welcoming - of my lower-case d deaf identity before enrolling as well.
Do you mean “Deaf Elitist” or “Culturally Deaf”? I submit one can be CD without being DE.
Agreed. Julie’s posts always make me think too!
The lack of what I’ll call “hearing pluralism” at Gallaudet is perplexing and an issue that needs to be addressed by Jane and the new Provost. Pluralism, as defined, is supposed to allow for the development of a common tradition while preserving the right of each group to maintain its cultural heritage. It implies mutual respect.
I suspect that many at Gallaudet who are not native signers or Deaf, or from a Deaf family are subject to a certain silent ridicule and scorn. For example, a cueing friend of mine has always told me that her popularity would deflate if she were to ever cue to others on campus.
I support ASL and believe it has its rightful place on Kendall Green. However, what I don’t believe in is denying deaf students their right to freely choose their communication preference.
In short, I think many of the Gallaudet students who do not embrace ASL - and perhaps the majority of its prospective oral students are being told, “It’s ASL or the highway.”
Yes, it’s a common complaint that non-ASL users are stigmatized on campus. Perhaps this is why there wasn’t very much support for the protesters since, rightly or wrongly, they were believed to advance that argument that Fernandes wasn’t “D” deaf enough since she doesn’t use pure ASL.
I could be generalizing, but there aren’t a lot of places in the U.S. where there is a large population of “strong deaf” people sharing a common language, such as ASL, except for Gallaudet, right? Now, with more deaf people, regardless of their “strength of deafness” choosing other colleges and universities, the “strong deaf” culture in America is slowly fading and that’s the scary reality of it. So, it’s predictable that many “strong deaf” people want to prevent that from happening so they react aggressively toward others who aren’t like them.
I think the term “inclusive” was one of her rhetorics - merely trying to make a neutral statement that the university welcomes all kinds of deaf people - capital D or lower D or whatever you call them. Nothing wrong with that anyway.
Just that if Gallaudet continues to be a place where “strong deaf” students are the majority, they may risk losing students who are “less deaf” and that was what she was trying to emphasize. Is that the best way to go? I don’t think they have a choice.
[…] Gallaudet remained a dominant topic for DeafDC.com visitors as Julie brought up the now-apparent splits in the deaf community and the racial conflicts surrounding the presidential selection process. The blogpower team of Chris and Allison Kaftan discussed Dr. Fernandes’s attitude towards her constituents and the media’s declaration that the protest was over. Also, two memos from Gallaudet were released; one from the Board of Trustees declaring no reprisals, and one from Dr. Jordan on the search for an interim provost. DeafDC.com welcomed a new blogger, Swetha Amruthur, and pushed the hot-button issues of cochlear implants, privacy, and English as our national language. Remember, you read it here first! […]