Open Letter from Leaders of 1988 Deaf President Now Movement

The 1988 DPN Movement was a milestone in the history of Deaf people. Because of that event, deaf people were given the opportunity to lead, to make decisions, to self-advocate, and, to some extent, govern our fates. For the first time, the Deaf community, the larger civil rights community, the larger network of institutions for higher learning, the media, and therefore, the world, stood behind the assertion that deaf people should make the decisions that affect their own lives. It became a principle that DEAF people know their own needs better than anyone else could. Who, in fact, knows us better than we know OURSELVES? We believe that we have proven our leadership again and again. Through our personal and political efforts-indeed, through protest-we have installed deaf leaders to represent us.

Our Voices are being Dismissed

The current situation here at Gallaudet today is an extension of the aims and passions of the DPN movement-an ongoing fight to be heard, respected, and recognized by the Board of Trustees, and now the Congress. We want out input to matter. We are not asking for the ultimate authority to appoint a president or approve of an appointment. However, when so many of us share in a collective message of concern about one of the candidates, we would expect our concerns to be heard and honored. When our access to communication and information is denied, when our concerns are met with repetitive, party-line statements, you are sending us the message that we are not valued, not respected, we don't matter and that you don't care. And this message is being tailored to the consumers of this community-consumers who in large part placed you in your current positions of authority!

As we all know, Dr. Fernandes is deaf herself, and she is a member of the Deaf community. But we all know that deafness alone shouldn't qualify anyone for anything. Although she is qualified on paper and has held many positions of leadership within Gallaudet and other educational organizations, we know what her leadership style is like. We also know the kind of damage she has done in the past. This is the crux of our concern. For Dr. Fernandes and the Public Relations Department at Gallaudet to say the students have asked for her resignation because she is "not Deaf enough," is an insult to each and every one of us. This comment alone tells us that she is taking advantage of the 1988 DPN protestors aims and twisting them to her advantage-to attempt to use the issue of being Deaf to detract from the very real concerns of the modern protestors' movement. In fact, this movement is made up of deaf and hard-of-hearing protestors of every background who have no confidence in her leadership.

We question why the Board of Trustees selected Dr. Fernandes despite the public concerns that were brought to their attention BEFORE the selection was mad e. And, we are questioning why, after five months, there have been no solutions to the issues and why someone who claims to have the leadership to be a dynamic president has not been able or willing to make her case on campus.

The protest continues, and we have a rapidly-escalating crisis. The many deaf constituents who have dedicated our lives to Gallaudet and all it represents as a beacon of hope around the world are deeply saddened. Once again, the Deaf community as a collective body is being told our input doesn't matter and that our leaders don't care if we are being oppressed. We are being told, "We know what is best for you." This condescending and paternalistic attitude is hard to stomach in today's world where access, equality, and justice are expected. What is happening is a tragedy. Nobody can win in this situation.

Yet, "Gallaudet" has spoken. In reality, Dr. Fernandes and Dr. King have spoken. They have spoken volumes. The arrest of nearly 135 students on Friday, October 13, 2006, is evidence of this message. The leaders our protests put into positions of power are using that power against us. We need to be heard; we need to be respected; we need new leadership; we need to heal.

Our Demand of Dr. Fernandes

We acknowledge that the Board of Trustees may be adamant about not changing or rescinding their decision. We recognize that the Board may be concerned that a precedent cannot be established whereby demonstrations and protests can force the university authorities to change policies and appointments every time a new president is selected.

However, we do have a demand. We ask only one thing, and it is directed to only one person, Dr. Jane K. Fernandes: Do what is right in this situation and graciously resign from your appointment. Do so because it is the most just resolution for all of the parties involved. Relinquish control as a show of good faith to the collective community a t the university and beyond. That is exactly what Dr. Zinser did nearly two decades ago, and it has lead to great progress all over the Deaf world. Gregory Hlibok relates that Dr. Zinser considers her resignation the best thing that she has ever done. We can only hope that someday, we will be able to thank you for being courageous enough to take the same action. Help us to move beyond this stalemate. Help us to tear down the wall that has been built between repetitive denials and positive action. Just as President Reagan appealed to Mikhail Gorbachev, we appeal to you:

Tear down the wall, Jane Fernandes. Tear down the wall!

Unity for Gallaudet!

Remembering our past and committed to a just future, yours, the 1988 DPN
Student Leaders,