For once, I find myself at a loss for words. At lunchtime today, I was stunned to see the news about what had happened today at Gallaudet. Bulldozers? Bleeding toes and possibly fractured knees? Hospitalization? Fire trucks? What sounds like a battle between students and DPS? A student almost hit by a speeding DPS vehicle? A swarm of Metro police on campus? Confrontation between Paul Kelly and MPD police? More arrests possible? What has happened to the Gallaudet I graduated from?
I don't know whose behavior appalls me the most. The protestors, who started the day by briefly taking over part of College Hall? DPS and PPD for allegedly bulldozing without checking first if anyone was inside the tents? (When my son read that, he exclaimed that someone could have died if a bulldozer ran over them) PPD employees, for allegedly continuing to push a truck's front grille into a student? The police, for allegedly being physical with students and allegedly kicking someone in the groin? The hunger strikers, for refusing to stop their hunger strike despite the risk of death?
The official Gallaudet news release states none of the protestors were injured seriously. That only a toe was hurt. In contrast, bloggers claim there was "a lot of blood" by the MSSD gates.
At this point, even though I do not want Jane Fernandes to be president of Gallaudet University, I am ready to give her my support if that will save a student's life. I am beginning to fear that things could get really out of hand, leading to someone's death. If the choice is between a dead Gallaudet student and Jane Fernandes, I choose Jane Fernandes. It is the lesser of two evils.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
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9 comments:
So the Administration should WIN becuase they chose to use physical violence on the Protesters???
Given the hunger strikers are willing to DIE for the cause, it seems that the protesters are willing to accept whatever violence the Administration wants to wield against them. The Protesters have chosen to accept Jail, Deprivation and Violence against themselves. The Administration has chosen NOTHING except to INFLICT the Protesters with Jail, Deprivation and Violence.
If a Gallaudet student dies, it only shows the incredible DEPRAVITY of the Administration. And clearly shows why they CANNOT continue to rule Gallaudet.
To Ken Rose..
We, the Deaf are all responsible if one of the Hunger Strikers happen to die due to FSSA's promoting this act.
In the historic hunger strikes, Ghandi used it as the very last resort while he and his followers were in prison in extreme violent circumnstances.
We are all responsible to ensure and empower the Hunger Strikers. The Hunger Strikers are human being and if you and FSSA stand by and let your brothers and sisters die, it will be on your hands as well. There are other ways to protest and live regardless to their cause. IKJ, JKF, and the BOT are simply not worth "starving or dying" for as we are in America where we have freedom of speech and choices while many and many other places in the world does not. Look at North Korea, Cuba,China, and much more, I dare you say to we are oppressed.
We, as Deaf people should cherish every Deaf person's lives regardless who they are and not use our Deaf human being "life or death" as political ploy to support a cause.
*Hugs* I understand and feel your pain.
Wait a minute, do you realize what you said in the last paragraph? I read it twice to make it clear. It seems you said that you would pick JK OVER a dead student. You would rather have JK become President, even if it led to a death?
Is this what you really mean?
Thanks Jamie for sharing this. Im relieve to see what you are thinking...
I honestly think that after all this, JKF is not going to be able to do anything "behind the door" so let's let go and give her the year that her contract says...only one little year...
To Patty: My understand of the last paragraph of Jamie's post is that JKF is definitely the LESSER of two evils. It doesnt mean she supports JKF....
J-Am I right?
Choosing to keep JKF as an alternative to students endangering themselves isn't going to save them. She is the reason they are doing it.
We are frustrated with JKF and Gallaudet's administrative arrogance, and equally frustrated with these self-destructive students. The answer? Either get rid of JKF or come to a compromise that limits the power of both sides to destroy.
DPG
Anonymous - you are right. If the choice is between a dead student and a living JKF, I would pick JKF. As I said, it is the lesser of two evils. It does not mean that I support JKF. I just don't want to see death at Gallaudet University. - Jamie
I'm dismayed by your mention of making a choice of lesser of two evils. Everyone involved in this situation should do something to end hunger strike. I understand it's their doing for the cause; however, it's really unwise and unreasonable. Probably by now, they are damaging to their bodies. Stop posting all the talk about the hunger strke issue. DO SOMEHING! They should be strapped in chairs and force-fed.
I know the issues in China, Korea. etc. At the same time, we don't live there. We live in America, land of the free. They just forgot to subtitle it (if you are white, straight, male, and affulent). That's why we gotta keep fighting. As far as the hunger strike goes, don't you think people have tried to talk, coax them out of it? They made their choice. Of course if they fall unconcious I'm sure the EMTs would forcefeed them and make sure they don't die. Its silly and unnecessary but then again its their choice.
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