Do Not Sign a Minority Report, JKF Tells BoTs

“It is clear to me that the protesters are giving a total lack of attention to established rules of order,” says president designate Jane K. Fernandes, a deaf individual and apparent suppressor of "a Minority Report.”

Background: Oppression and Fear

As the GUFSSA protest drags on into its fourth week, the university administration continues to miss its mission of academic freedom. On Friday, October 13, 2006, 135 people were arrested and made convicts for a peaceful protest.

The situation for Gallaudet University looks even worse for all the Deaf. President I. King Jordan writes in his October 22, 2006 memorandum to the campus community: “I know you are aware of how important MSA accreditation is to the University and to our graduates as they seek employment and further education.” His office is also releasing new PR efforts geared toward “influencers”—parents, students, professors. But there is no indication in Middle States Association that Gallaudet University is having any problem on the accreditation.

ASL behind Ousting JKF

There is no doubt what is behind the GUFSSA demands that President Designate Jane K. Fernandes resign and that there be no reprisal: the deterioration of the language bigotry, hegemony, and oppression at Gallaudet and the growing sentiment of American Sign Language. Fernandes informed us that she can combine signs with spoken words, expecting thunderous cheers from the Deaf community. That is a lie!

We Were Lied To

We were lied to. And even worse, we were being exploited. Most of us were from failed Deaf Education backgrounds ourselves, and we were being exploited to keep down our intellectual life—scholars who just want to have a decent intellectual life and use ASL exclusively. We are not pacifists—we think there are times when there are things worth fighting for… and living for, too!

JKF is Secretive and Manipulative

JKF is a paranoid who is secretive and manipulative. “I hope you will not resign your position as Board members; I hope you will not sign a Minority Report; and I hope that you will not suggest that the solution to the current problems on campus is my resignation,” she wrote in the e-mail to the Board of Trustees, a copy of which was intercepted by The Washington Post. “The problems at Gallaudet are too deep-rooted for us to resolve them so simplistically. If any of you resign your position on the Board, I believe it will be a concession to law breakers.”

Do Not Sign What…a Minority Report

Those familiar with oppression tactics know well that this is not an isolated event. In fact, lying, threatening, and other dishonest practices are becoming more common at Gallaudet University. By JKF’s own advice “not sign a Minority Report,” there is something that goes awry and wrong! What is this “Minority Report” about? People of color? JKF’s email may indicate that the Minor Report include falsifying information.

We must fight oppression and fear. We must stop the university administration to continue practice based on lies and fraud. Get Congress investigate JKF’s hush on a Minority Report—signed or not!