Introduction
A revolution that forever impacted the deaf community and made history took place on Gallaudet University’s campus on March 1, 1988 at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. This ground-breaking event altered the deaf community by furthering their communication, self-determination, and, most importantly, unity amongst the deaf. Gallaudet University was founded on April 8, 1864 and it was named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a deaf man, who founded the first school for deaf students in America in Hartfod, Connecticut, “American School for the Deaf.” Since the opening of the University, a hearing individual had the position as president. For 124 years, this was a silent issue amongst the deaf community, not only on campus, but across the nation. In 1988, the issue was acknowledged, and Gary Olsen told the NAD Broadcaster that “the appointment of a deaf person to head a University devoted for more than a century to educating deaf induvial is long overdue” (Olsen 9). Deaf President Now! A 1988 Revolution at Gallaudet University not only covers the protest that took place on the small campus, but the nationwide ripple effect it had on the deaf community. The effects that it had will forever glue the students and faculty of this community together as a group on solidified ground.
DEAF PEOPLE CAN BE QUALIFIED TOO
The quick resignation of Lloyd Johns gave people in the deaf community the opportunity to urge the board to select a president that was not a member of the hearing population. Members of the board claimed that a deaf president would not be suitable for the job and would be unable to communicate effectively with congress. This is just one example of many that shows there was no social equality amongst the deaf. “Through the years, deaf people have been…made, shaped, [and] controlled by hearing people…It is high time that deaf people manage their own destiny” (Kubis 15). Just because a person cannot hear does not make them less qualified to run a University. A University for the deaf should be run by a deaf person because no one can relate on a more personal level than to someone equal to them. People of the deaf community would have a higher chance of thriving if there was someone there that can relate. Before the start of the protest, the number of students and faculty in support for a deaf president was low, but soon enough the numbers quickly grew. One group on the campus that united quickly to bring justice for this cause was the “Ducks.” Six young deaf men came together and formed this “close knit family of birds.” The group’s goal was for the next president of Gallaudet University to be deaf. These men served as mentors for the students and faculty, guiding them in the right direction and helping them in any way possible to make sure it was the deaf community that came out triumphant. Throughout the following weeks, posters and flyers were made along with interviews with the press were held in regards to the situation. Many influential leaders wrote letters to the Board of Trustees concerning the appointment of a deaf president. Gallaudet was the only deaf institution in the United States without a deaf leader in charge (36).
INEQUALITY ON CAMPUS
Elisabeth A. Zinser was the seventh president elected by the Board of Trustees in 1988. This caused uproar among the students and faculty on campus because they felt as if the other two finalists, who happened to be deaf, were just as much qualified, if not more so, than Zinser. The Board of Trustees, which included the chairman, Jane Bassett Spilman, claimed that their most important criteria was the president’s ability to communicate and understand the deaf community. This contradicted their decision to elect Zinser since she did not know how to sign, and she clearly did not understand deaf culture since she was a part of the hearing society. The protestors refused to allow Zinser and Spilman on campus. They did so by blocking entrances, setting off fire alarms, releasing air from tires, and took many other measures to not allow campus access. The main injustices and inequality that was happening on campus came from higher authority like Spilman whom pretty much ran the campus. Christiansen and Barnartt mention a former Gallaudet administrator describing Spilman: “I think she enjoyed doing things for deaf people, not with deaf people. She helped deaf people, but she didn’t consider them her equal…you would never dream of inviting your dog to have dinner with you. That was her attitude. She patted deaf people on the head” (56). As the chairman of the Board of Trustees that is not even close to the attitude needed to earn the respect of the students and faculty. Gallaudet University is a school for the deaf, a place for the students to feel at home and comfortable, not a place to be looked down upon by someone in charge who is supposed to serve as a mentor or role model.
DPN: THE UNITY IT BROUGHT
Joining together as a united front was something very important to the students and faculty. Although many of the actions during the protest were not all positive, it still united the deaf community and the hearing advocates involved. As student body president, you are the voice of the school and your goal is to be one with the students. Throughout the process leading up to and during the protest, Greg Hlibok who served as president, felt comfortable to speak on behalf of the students and represent them. Hlibok and three other students Bridgetta Bourne, Jerry Covell and Tim Rarus became the student leaders otherwise known as the “famous four” of Deaf President Now (DPN). These four lead the students, could relate to them on a more personal level, and most importantly speak on behalf of the rest of the protestors. With such unity brought about the four demands that the protesters brought forth to the Board of Trustees. The first demand was “Deaf President Now,” second “End Ms. Spilman’s Reign”, third “A fifty-one percent majority on the Board of Trustees must be deaf”, and lastly “Forget about any reprisal against faculty, staff, and students involved in the protest.” (75) On March 10, 1988 Zineser met with the students and approved of the third and fourth demand, but in no way was this satisfying for the students. The protesting continued and effigies of both Ziners and Spilman were burned throughout the campus. Over 2,500 protesters marched to Capitol Hill fighting for their beliefs and the deaf community. On March 13, 1988 thirteen days after the turmoil had begun, the students and faculty of Gallaudet University had won. All the four demands were met and King Jordan, a deaf man, held the position of president.
Conclusion
Deaf President Now shows that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Members of the deaf and hearing community had a dream to see the deaf University be run by a deaf person. The protest brought instant unity and proved that “deaf people can do everything by hear”. (50)