Dignity & Restraint Regardless of the Outcome

It’s nearing 3 am as I type this bleary-eyed. I’m worn out from a long day but the events that will unfold 2,300 miles away within the next eighteen hours or so are gnawing at me.

Will Sunday close with a silent pride or jubliant celebration? Or will it end with an outburst of anger and frustration or something worse? Or will it end in a whimper of surrender or a renewal of tenacious dedication?

All that I ask of those on both sides of the fence is to show dignity and restraint regardless of the outcome of the Board of Trustees’ meeting.

There will not be any clear and decisive winners or losers here. Regardless of the outcome, enemies have been made; wounds have been opened; and the Deaf Community has been fractured…we have all suffered.

The results of Sunday’s Board meeting should not be the end-all that many are expecting.

Instead, it will just be one more step to resolving the crisis at Gallaudet for better or for worse.

I beg of all of you there, 2,300 miles away, to show dignity and restraint regardless of the outcome.

If the outcome is favorable for the protestors; no need to taunt and celebrate - This is but one step on the road to healing. There’s still the issue of finding the next president as well. 

If the outcome is not favorable for the protestors; no need to explode in anger and violence – This would just lead to Fernandes’ comments about “anarchy” and ”terrorism” becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Accept this setback simply as one more step to take and plan your responses accordingly and with dignity rather than irrationally.

Dignity and Restraint for all.

Unity for Gallaudet.