Miss-Delectable
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A Deep Divide in the Deaf Community
The deaf community has it's own way of communicating. But a Gallaudet University a growing group of protestors is making their message heard around the world.
"We are looking to have a deaf president who can represent us and what this university is about," says Aaron Loggins, a Gallaudet University junior.
A massive group is protesting the appointment of Jane Fernandes as the University's second deaf president.
More than 130 protestors were arrested after shutting down the campus.
The school is now re-opened but the arrests ignited even more rage.
"We will not give up, not stop protesting until she steps down," says Christopher Corrigan, a Gallaudet student leader.
Protestors have given a spectrum of reasons they don't agree with the choice of Fernandes, a former provost as University president.
Students say the selection process was flawed and that the Board of Trustees overlooked more qualified and, in some cases, minority candidates.
"My population is being ignored," says Loggins.
"There's no compromise, no involvement from her on her part or even concern for the students," says Corrigan.
But some believe the intense anger over Fernandes' appointment is a matter of personality.
National Public Radio reporter Joe Shapiro has covered Gallaudet and the deaf community for two decades.
"They just don't like her," says Shapiro. "She's a little cold, she came to Gallaudet and shook things up."
This is not the first time Gallaudet has been shut down over the board's choice of president. In 1988 protesting students forced out the school's president who was then replaced by their first deaf president.
Three weeks into this demonstration and Fernandes remains adamant that she will not resign and students are staying out of class and planted at the front gate. While their presence is reminiscent of the 1988 predecessors, some doubt the outcome of this modern day standoff will have a happy ending.
"It's going to be really hard for this community to heal," says Shapiro.
Negotiations continue between the two parties, but for now there is no end to this conflict in sight.
The deaf community has it's own way of communicating. But a Gallaudet University a growing group of protestors is making their message heard around the world.
"We are looking to have a deaf president who can represent us and what this university is about," says Aaron Loggins, a Gallaudet University junior.
A massive group is protesting the appointment of Jane Fernandes as the University's second deaf president.
More than 130 protestors were arrested after shutting down the campus.
The school is now re-opened but the arrests ignited even more rage.
"We will not give up, not stop protesting until she steps down," says Christopher Corrigan, a Gallaudet student leader.
Protestors have given a spectrum of reasons they don't agree with the choice of Fernandes, a former provost as University president.
Students say the selection process was flawed and that the Board of Trustees overlooked more qualified and, in some cases, minority candidates.
"My population is being ignored," says Loggins.
"There's no compromise, no involvement from her on her part or even concern for the students," says Corrigan.
But some believe the intense anger over Fernandes' appointment is a matter of personality.
National Public Radio reporter Joe Shapiro has covered Gallaudet and the deaf community for two decades.
"They just don't like her," says Shapiro. "She's a little cold, she came to Gallaudet and shook things up."
This is not the first time Gallaudet has been shut down over the board's choice of president. In 1988 protesting students forced out the school's president who was then replaced by their first deaf president.
Three weeks into this demonstration and Fernandes remains adamant that she will not resign and students are staying out of class and planted at the front gate. While their presence is reminiscent of the 1988 predecessors, some doubt the outcome of this modern day standoff will have a happy ending.
"It's going to be really hard for this community to heal," says Shapiro.
Negotiations continue between the two parties, but for now there is no end to this conflict in sight.