John Yeh Interview (Post DPN)
Files
Loading...
Media is loading
Description
John Yeh discusses his role in the Deaf President Now protests. He mainly discusses how he helped out before the protests officially began.
Publication Date
6-10-1905
Keywords
Deaf President Now
Recommended Citation
Gallaudet University, "John Yeh Interview (Post DPN)" (1905). Deaf President Now Protest. 78.
https://ida.gallaudet.edu/dpnvideos/78
Comments
Yeh describes his role in DPN. He starts by saying he previously worked at Gallaudet, and the people there told him he couldn't be an administrator. He left and established his own business 9 years ago. He says he knows of many Deaf people at Gallaudet who were stuck where they were and not able to advance up the ladder. A specific Christmas party last year put his mind to working towards a deaf president for Gallaudet. He was on the council who interviewed the final six candidates and he knew there were enough qualified deaf candidates to fill the last three finalist spots. He feels the deaf people were divided on which deaf candidate to support. He wanted to organize them to support a deaf president instead of a specific candidate. Jeff Rosen agreed and at this point it was almost March 1st. They planned a rally with Jeff's friends and they knew the key was students at Gallaudet. He did not personally communicate with the Board of Trustees during DPN. He talks a bit about his hope for the future of deaf people. He says David Birmbaum's contact with the Washington Times to publish an article in support of a deaf president of Gallaudet really affected the deaf community and favored that opinion. Yeh told Birmbaum that he would support him any way he needed. There was no true plan until Jeff Rosen and his people got to work. He turns to the topic of employment and how after DPN many people changed their minds on deafness. The appointment of Dr. Jordan opened many doors.