BOT’s Remarks in Poor Taste

 Sat, 21 Oct 2006 17:23:52 -0400

It was recently revealed during a press conference that one of the Board
members of Gallaudet University, Ken Levingston—in a meeting with
other people made the following comment: “I always thought that deaf
people who sign are stupid.”

Not all professors at Gallaudet University sign at a level equal to
expectations of academic excellence.

Not all meetings at Gallaudet University are accessible in terms of
communication.

Not all officers of the Department of Public Safety at Gallaudet
University sign well enough to communicate, let alone conduct an
investigation.

Not all of the Board members of Gallaudet University can sign.

Those are just some of the examples of Audism on campus. There are many,
many more instances, ranging from the obvious to the subtle.

The word “Audism” was coined by one of the Board members of
Gallaudet University, Tom Humphries—in 1975.

Dr. Fernandes has repeatedly spread propaganda that this protest is
about her “not being deaf enough.” Furthermore, she has made some
disturbing observations about “a new world order.”

Is audism acceptable? Is it something we deserve to endure, to tolerate?
Or should we be outraged when comments are made by our very own board
members that display a level of idiocy so staggering that we have to
question his ability to think in a deep, insightful manner? 

One would think that of all people, the man who coined the word would
not only understand the concept of Audism, but also know the deep level
of damage that the practice of such paternalistic oppression does to us
as a community.

So where are you in all of this, Tom?

Deaf Eyes

www.gallynet.org

reprinted with the permission by the list,serv