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2. Quotes from the Video • “Those born Deaf are incapable of learning” • Aristotle -355 B.C.E • “Deaf children are a sign of sin” • St. Augustine • “Higher education of the Deaf is useless. • Congressman Elhiu Washburn- 1860 C.E. • “The Deaf are often looked on as a sort of monstrosity” • Alexander Graham Bell- 1890 C.E. • “Deaf people are not ready to function in a hearing world” • Jane Spielman- Gallaudet University’s Board of Trustee’s Chairperson

3. Quotes from the Video • ‘The problem is not that the students do not hear. The problem is that the hearing world does not listen” • Rev Jesse Jackson • “A Deaf person can do anything a hearing person can except hear.” • I. King Jordan

4. Deaf President Now! March 4th 1988-March 13th

5. Gallaudet University History Leading Up to Deaf President Now • 1st Federally-Chartered Deaf University • Founded in 1864 • Former President of the University • Edward Miner Gallaudet 1864-1910 – Hearing • Dr. Percival Hall 1910-1945 – Hearing • Leonard M. Elstad Class of ‘23 1945-1969 – Hearing • Edward C. Merrill, Jr. 1969-1983 – Hearing • W. Lloyd Johns 1983 – Hearing • Jerry C. Lee 1984-1987 – Hearing • Elisabeth A. Zinser – 1988 – Hearing • Gallaudet had been around 124 years • Board of Trustees never allowed a Deaf person to be name president

6. Key Players • Jerry C. Lee • I. King Jordan • Harvey Corson • Elisabeth Zinser • Presidents Council on Deafness (PCD) • Jane Bassett Spilman • Greg Hilbok* • Tim Rarus* • Jerry Covell* • BridgettaBourne-Firl* • Phillip Bravin *Know as the “The Gallaudet Four”

7. Jerry C. Lee • Served as President of Gallaudet from 1984-1987 • Was not deaf and knew very little ASL • Was president during Gallaudet College’s expansion into Gallaudet University • Decided to leave Gallaudet to assume a position as vice-president of Bassett Industries • His resignation from Gallaudet sparked a huge debate over who would replace him.

8. I. King Jordan • Became Deaf at the age of 21 due to a skull fracture from a motorcycle accident • Class of ’70 • Earned his Doctorate in Psychology • Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Gallaudet • 1 of 4 candidates being considered as the 7th President of Gallaudet University • 1 of 3 candidates that were Deaf

9. Elizabeth Zinser • Vice Chancellor of the University of North Carolina • 1 of 4 candidates being considered to be the 7th President of Gallaudet University • Only candidate that was not deaf • No knowledge of American Sign Language or Deaf Culture • Had to have an interpreter with her at all times.

10. Presidents Council on Deafness • Established in the Mid-1980’s • Main Priority was to promote and protect deaf interests, particularly in the area of employment. • Purpose- advocacy and advisory group for deaf faculty and staff at Gallaudet • Created a presidential search committee, advocating the recruitment of qualified deaf presidential candidates. • The PCD also established a task force which interviewed each of the the candidates. • PCD named I. King Jordan and Harvey Corson as the only acceptable candidates • Felt none of the hearing candidates had any experience with deafness or deaf people • Felt it was time finally time for a Deaf President

11. Jane Bassett Spilman • Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees chairperson • Had been on the Board of Trustees for many years • Not Deaf, chose not to learn ASL • "Deaf people are not ready to function in a hearing world”

12. Greg Hilbok • Class of ‘89 • Class President for only 1 day before the DPN protest started • Student Activist for DPN • Known for his calmness and professionalism with the press • Face of Deaf President Now

13. Tim Rarus • Class of ’88 • Government Major • Student Body President before Hilbok • The most politically experienced of the “Gallaudet Four” • Student Activist

14. Jerry Covell • Class of ’89 • Unsuccessfully ran for Student Body President • Lost to Greg Hilbok • Student Activist • Primarily focused on convincing students and faculty to join the protest • Known as the “Spiritual Leader” of the protest due to his “fire-and-brimstone” speaking style

15. Bridgetta Bourne-Firl • Class of ’89 • Government Major • Jerry Covell’s Running Mate • Student Activist • Soft-Spoken yet charismatic

16. March 1st- 5th,1988 • Large rally was held by students supporting the selection of a deaf president • A candle light vigil was held by students, faculty and staff on the evening of March 5th to show their support of electing one of the two deaf candidates. • March 5th - the Gallaudet University Board of Trustee’s takes a vote for electing the 7th President of the university

17. March 6th – Board issues a press release stating Elizabeth Zinser (the sole hearing candidate) as the 7th President • Board met off campus at the Mayflower Hotel and made themselves unavailable for questions • Hundreds of DPN supporters marched to the Mayflower Hotel in protest • Board hadn't come to campus to make themselves available for questions, the campus decided to go to them

18. March 6thcont. • The Board finally allowed for representatives of the protestors to meet in private • In the hopes of resolving conflict Jane Spilman addressed the protestor and explained the Board’s decision to elect a non-Deaf president • Protestors became more enraged due to what they called Spilman’s “dismissive attitude and tone”

19. Students barricaded the Gallaudet University Campus • Chained entrances to the campus and build • Locked the gates kept people from coming onto campus grounds • Formed a human chain blocking administrators onto campus • Several cars were parked on each of the University's entrances • Tires we deflated as a way • Representatives for the students, faculty and staff met with board for over 3 hours. The Board was given 4 demands • Board rejects all of the demands • Harvey Goldstein tell a packed auditorium of the news just before Spilman was to make the announcement • Students/supporters of DPN took their first march to the Capitol Building.

20. March 7th, 1988

21. Harvey Goldstein interrupts Spilmean before she can speak. Informs everyone that the demands were not met and there was no use in staying Students and supporters gather to march on the capitol.

22. The gates were reopened and people were allowed on campus • Students boycotted classes • Attended rallies and speeches • Faculty met with each other and decided what their role in the protest would be. • “Gallaudet Four” immerge as the leaders of the protest

23. Day 3: Tuesday March 8th (cont.) • Staff, faculty, alumni, media, interpreters and fundraising coordinators, as well as legal and legislative liaisons continued their work in a less visible but well coordinated manner • The protests were not only covered by local media • Featured on national television news programs and news papers

24. Congressmen David Bonior of Michigan and Steve Gunderson of Wisconsin meet with small group from Gallaudet • Both Congressmen were on the Board of Trustees • Zinser agrees to begin her presidency early • She felt her presence would bring an end to the protests • I. King Jordan meets Zinser and Spilman • Publically announces support and endorsement of Zinser • Faculty and staff meet again • Publically announce their support for the students

25. Day 4: Wednesday, March 9th (cont.) • Zinser and Spilman meet with Congressman Bonior and Gunderson • Congressmen urge Zinser to resign • Bonior publically announces his support for the students • Zinserand Hilbok were interviewed by Ted Koppel of ABC’s Nightline • AcadamyAward Winner and Deaf actress Marlee Matlin is also on to show her support

26. Deaf President Now! Protests • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ov3c9V1a-E&NR=1&feature=fvwp

27. Zinser and Spilman speak of forcing their way onto campus • Students hot wire buses and park them in front of Gallaudet’s gates and deflate tires in response • Communities show their support • Students bused in from other deaf schools • Home owners in the area bring food and supplies • American Postal Workers Union’s President hand delivered a check for $5000 • I. King Jordan retracts his support for the Board's decision to appoint Zinser • Told onlookers that he supported the students and the 4 Demands fully • Zinser announces her resignation later that night

28. Although Zinser stepped down, students not satisfied • Only ½ of a demand • 3 ½ to go • Spring Break starts • Students vowed to stay on campus rather than go on spring break until the 4 demands were met • At noon, students and supporters organized a march to capitol building • Variety of speeches including Congressman Gunderson • Greg Hilbok was named “Person of the Week” by ABC News

29. Day of Rest • Many supporters attended on campus barbeques and an art festivals

30. Board of Trustee’s held an emergency meeting • Lasted all day • Jane Spilman and Phil Barvin hosted their last press conference • Spilman had resigned • Bravin was named the next chair of the Board of Trustees • A taskforce would be set up to determine the best way to achieve a 51% deaf majority on the Board • No reprisals ... and • Dr. I. King Jordan was named eighth president —and first deaf president— of Gallaudet University.

31. Elizabeth Zinser • Took office as President of Gallaudet University March 6, 1988 • Resigned as President of Gallaudet University March 8, 1988 • Went on to be named first female president of the University of Idaho

32. Jane Bassett Spilman • Resigned from her role as chairperson of the Board of Trustees • Resigned the Board entirely on March 13, 1988, • Exactly 1 week after the protest beganclaiming her continued presence on the Board "an obstacle to healing."

33. Phillip Bravin • Class of ‘66 • IBM Executive • 1 of only 4 Deaf members on the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees • Became the intermediary between student leaders and the Board during the protest • Would later be named first deaf chairperson of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees

34. I. King Jordan • After a vote by the Board of Trustees, I. King Jordan was appointed as the 1st Deaf President • March 13th, 1988- December 31st 2006 • In 1990, President Bush appointed Jordan Vice Chair of the President's Committee on Employment of People with disabilities.

35. What this Meant for the Deaf? • Opened up the doors for a new generation of Deaf • Deaf individuals could stand together • Fight for their Rights • Job Openings that were “off-limits” to deaf • The Deaf community became activists • They fought back against the oppression • And Won • Gave hope to many Deaf around the world • Message was simple: We can fight back…and we can win!

36. What This Meant for the Hearing • Opened our eyes. • Hearing world now see what the deaf can do rather than what they can’t • More parents are using sign language with their hearing babies • Stimulates early language and communication development • More hearing people are taking ASL • ASL is recognized in many high schools and colleges as a foreign language

37. American’s Disability Act of 1990 • Signed July 26th by President George W. H. Bush • Included Deaf under disabilities that cannot be excluded • Mixed reviews among Deaf Community • Part of Community didn’t feel being Deaf was disabling • Other part of Community felt added protection from discrimination

38. Derogatory Terms Towards Deaf • Hearing Impaired- Deaf Culture does not want to be labeled for something they can’t do • Deaf-Mute- Almost all individuals in the Deaf Community have fully functional vocal chords • they can and do speak, even if their speech is not as clear as hearing people’s • Cases of people who are truly both deaf and mute are extremely rare. • Deaf and Dumb- was originally meant to describe a person who could not speak

39. What is Audism? • “1. The notion that one is superior based on one’s ability to hear or behave in the manner of one who hears. • 2. A system of advantage based on hearing ability. • 3. A metaphysical orientation that links human identity with speech.” -Tom Humphries 1977

40. Audism • “Appears in the form of people who continually judge deaf people’s intelligence and success on the basis of their ability in the language of the hearing culture. • It appears when the assumption is made that the deaf person’s happiness depends on acquiring fluency in the language of the hearing culture. • It appears when deaf people actively participate in the oppression of other deaf people by demanding of them the same set of standards, behavior, and values that they demand of hearing people” -H-Dirksen L. Bauman Gallaudet University

41. Audism • Term “audism” started in Gallaudet University classes in 2000 • Only 4 students out of 20 students had heard of it • By the year 2002 • 14 out of 20 students had heard and could explain • In the same class as racism, sexism, classism, anti-Semitism, heterosexism, and ableism

42. Examples of Audism • Jumping in to help a deaf person communicate w/o their consent. • Insisting a Deaf person lip-read you or write • Refusing to call an interpreter or using family members. Telling interpreter not to interpret something. • Assuming that those with better speech/English skills are superior.

43. Audism Examples (cont) • Asking a Deaf person to “tone down” facial expressions because they are making others uncomfortable. • Refusing to explain to a Deaf person why everyone is laughing – “never mind, I’ll tell you later, it doesn’t matter.” • Seeking or valuing hearing expert’s input over Deaf’s

44. Three Forms • Gretchen, if you read this, I need help describing the key points of audism.