Jeff Rosen Interview 2 (Post DPN)
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Description
Jeff Rosen discusses his Deaf President Now experience. He gives a lot of context for deaf people's anger, a detailed look into the protests, and how the protests relate to other political movements happening. Part 2.
Publication Date
1988
Keywords
Deaf President Now
Recommended Citation
Gallaudet University, "Jeff Rosen Interview 2 (Post DPN)" (1988). Deaf President Now Protest. 82.
https://ida.gallaudet.edu/dpnvideos/82
Comments
This video continues the Jeff Rosen interview from the last video. He begins by explaining the devastation and anger they all felt at the announcement and once they called to get an explanation, the Board refused to give one in favor of a press conference. They felt like the Board chose the hearing world and the image of Gallaudet. He talks about how the protest grew to include other disabled folks and people outside the community. It really became a civil rights issue. When they reached the Mayflower Hotel, Tim Rarus and Greg Hlibok were to speak to the Board and they wanted Jeff to join. Barnes tried to stop him and Rosen fought back, surprising many in the room. Rosen discusses on how Barnes built his power on his hearing status and disrespect so that power fell fast once deaf people stood up. When meeting with the Board, he told them how the lack of knowledge about deaf culture from the Board means the deaf community has to pay for their ignorance and mistakes. He asks why Dr. Zinser was picked to give her an opportunity to prove herself competent in the deaf community but the deaf candidates were not given the same opportunity to prove themselves competent in other areas. He talks about the moment Spilman made her iconic remark on deaf people's ability to function in the hearing world. In the days after, Spilman kept insisting it was a miscommunication. Rosen points out how that is exactly the entire issue - the Board doesn't know how to communicate yet they're making the decisions. During that meeting with the Board members, he and Rarus and Hlibok emphasized their intention to remain non-violent following Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy to force them to confront the community. He knew feelings were high and some people wanted to employ violent tactics. He encouraged the Board to open a dialogue with the protesters before it turned ugly.