Heroism on Both Sides

While I appreciate that we are taking a moment to recognize different
people who have contributed to the recent changes on campus, I do not
feel comfortable with naming names. The fact is, there are just so many
heroes– and on both sides. People who have stood by Jane Fernandes to
offer her support are just as heroic, even if we do not always agree
with their perspective.

This has truly been an organic process, with every single contribution
making a difference. If you take away one strand, the whole picture
changes. Contributions range from writing letters to bringing clothes to
the protestors or taking care of their pets to actually standing up
addressing the crowds to sitting down for open dialogues to challenging
perspectives so that we may better understand the issues to lending a
shoulder to cry on to guarding gates all night to moderating a
discussion forum to interpreting during free time or even taking time
off work to interpret to making vlogs and the list goes on.

While I am certainly thrilled that the opportunity for a transparent,
inclusive, diverse, and equal search process has presented itself– I am
sorry for all of those who have been hurt along the way. This has been
an ugly battle and I don’t think we’ve even begun to see the impact yet
on individuals. While I believe on a deep level that Gallaudet will heal
and become a stronger institute for the cleansing that we are so
painfully going through– I think we must also be accountable for the
many people who are deeply hurt and even doubtful of the possibilities
that lie ahead.

Just as we can passionately fight for what we believe to be best, we can
compassionately hold onto each other – whichever side we stood on- and
accept that whatever our intentions, the results include broken hearts
and scars.

And that is the most heroic thing we can do.

Alison Aubrecht

www.gallynet.org

reprinted with permission by the listserv moderator

email contact: mishkazena@aol.com