Washington Post has the story about the student protesters meeting with I. King Jordan and Dr. Jane K. Fernandes. But Paradise Is has a much better coverage with photos, videos and made notes of the event between students, IKJ and JKF. What's not hard to miss is the students' unwillingness to listen to IKJ's own recommendation and belief that the whole selection process by the BoT was proper and fair. They continue to deny that this whole thing isn't all about Deaf culture or the ability to interact with Deaf students, staff, faculty and alumni yet the RDPN leaders have only listed two demands but never a list of explainations on WHY they don't want Dr. Fernandes to be the 9th president of Gallaudet University. Now folks, are you sure this isn't about Deaf culture and Deaf social skills as the real issue or is this just one big massive denial on the student protesters part? Let's see the list of reasons why you don't want JKF, please. So everybody will know where the leaders of the RDPN stand.
I think student leaders need to rethink their approach on this protest starting with a much better tact and preparation than to stand around all day blocking the front campus gate while getting unfavorable reports from the press making them looking like sore-loosers, and being wholly disrespectful toward I. King Jordan and Dr. Jane K. Fernandes. It's the BoT they need to talk to but the student, staff, faculty, and alumni protesters. But this won't likely happen since the BoT will not come around and meet with them. The BoT have made their decision and it's a firm one, and IKJ supports the decision which was done in a fair and equitable fashion.
But frustrations seem to be building up among protesters and somehow I think they will ultimately try and use the race issue to try and garner a bigger sympathy play to get better national support to force a new presidential selection process because one deaf black candidate didn't make it to the finalist position (ie the 3 finalists).
Between Washington Post and Paradise Is' observations, plus a few others who are blogging this event, this whole thing still smells with an air of inadequacy for the protesters who seem to be a bit befuddled at the moment other than they want JKF out but won't list the reasons why.
Previous blogs on Gallaudet University's selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes.
A Real Deaf President Now Protest Continues....
The Selection of Dr. Jane K. Fernandes - a Rush Job?
Did the "Really Deaf President Now" Protest Fizzled Yesterday?
We Must have a Really, Really, Really Deaf President Now
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