Topic > An overview of the "Deaf President Now" campaign

The most notable campaign was the 1988 "Deaf President Now" (DPN) protest at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., where students went to show their deep frustration for the upcoming new president hearing, even though almost all the students were deaf. After a 2,000-person protest and an eight-day sit-in, the university hired I. King Jordan as its first deaf president. Gallaudet University was founded in 1864 in Washington, DC by Edward Gallaudet. The college later expanded from what was originally a school for deaf children. That school was founded in 1857. Gallaudet was the first university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Gallaudet students began campaigning for a deaf president in 1987, when Jerry Lee resigned. He started as president in 1984. The impetus behind the DPN protest was not just about the upcoming elections, but about uniting and strengthening the entire school community. The students who supported the idea of ​​a deaf president were part of the large demonstration that began on March 1, 1988. In the protest all the students were fighting for 4 main things: Zinser's resignation and the choice of a deaf person as president; the immediate resignation of Jane Bassett Spilman, chair of the Board of Directors (who commented that "deaf people are not yet ready to function in the hearing world"); A change of the Board of Directors with a 51% majority of deaf members (previously consisting of 17 hearing members and 4 deaf members) would have done nothing against the students or staff members involved in the protest. (Source: “Deaf President Now.” Students locked campus doors using heavy-duty bicycle locks, and wired buses, moving them in front of entrances and letting air out of tires, prevented people from entering campus while forcing the Board of Trustees to come and take up the protesters' demands, and after a fruitless discussion between students and the board, DPN supporters began marching to the Capitol was led mostly by four students, Bridgetta Bourne,. Jerry Covell, Greg Hlibok and Tim Rarus. She compromised and accepted the students' third and fourth demands, but that wasn't enough for the protesters and students represent a model for all deaf people and for other schools for the deaf who fight for the same rights. This goal would be achieved more easily if they had a deaf president who represented them better. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The University's Interpreter/Communications Center has gotten many calls from businesses, friends, and anonymous donors donating food, money, and other things to help the protest. A big step was taken when there was a speech by Jordan who said: “I have only anger towards the Council's decision. We need to focus the world's attention on a larger issue. The four requests are justified. Zinser resigned." At the protest there were more than 2,500 demonstrators holding signs that said "We have a dream!" Everyone, students, faculty and staff, gathered to cheer their victory in the Gallaudet field house when the 4 demands were met. A deaf president, I. King Jordan, was chosen as the new president and his first".."