Memorable Quotes of the Protest

The most memorable quote, or rather mostly widely repeated media quote, of the 1988 DPN protests was: “Deaf people can do anything…except hear.”

What are the most memorable quotes from the “Unity for Gallaudet” protest of 2006?

I’d say the runaway winner would be “Unity for Gallaudet!” just because of its sheer simplicity but here are some others to consider:

“I’m the only one who can lead the university” – Allegedly by Jane Fernandes to faculty members informing her of the 82% vote asking for her resignation.

““King, we helped you in 1988 and now you are arresting me.” – Allegedly by Tim Rarus, one of the original DPN protestors.  (Note: There have been other published variations of this quote. Tim, what DID you say?!)

“What we are dealing with on campus is anarchy and terrorism. . .” – Jane Fernandes in an email to the Board of Trustees.

“Not Deaf enough” – Widely publicized by the administration to great effect on why Fernandes wasn’t acceptable to the protestors instead of the fact that Fernandes was simply incompetent to lead Gallaudet as president. Still being used in the aftermath of her termination.

“Buckle up, Paul Kelly!” – My own notorious quote referring to Paul Kelly’s citation for failure to wear a seatbelt in May as part of a posting in which I disclosed many other details.  I like to think that this quote was also a warning letting him and the adminstration know that they were in for a rough ride and that they weren’t just dealing with  students on campus.

I wanted to show them that the game they were playing (having DPS take pictures of protestors, dumping fertilizer on a known and planned protest site, etc.) had been elevated to a larger playing field with formidable opponents coming onto the field.

[And, Paul, I do have to remind people to remember you as the guy who grinned at the sight of the backhoe razing the protestors' tents at the MSSD gate but then you showed your professionalism by turning into a raving lunatic who screamed at the DC Metro Police to arrest the protestors who remained at the gate afterward. Really classy, Paul, definitely conduct befitting a Vice President. I wish you well when your employment with Gallaudet University is likely to cease in the first quarter of 2007.]

I didn’t know how far-reaching my comments went until I saw Jordan’s press release in which he stated:

 ”They have encouraged the harassment of board and administration members and their families by publishing their home and work numbers as well as other personal information, and then encouraging others to use that information to continuously disrupt their lives.”

Holy Schnikes!

“I want to take this opportunity to let you know what’s happening at HMB and to ask your support in helping to resolve this unfortunate situation. We all have an important role to play.” – IKJ’s opening paragraph in an open letter that was not only posted and issued as a press release but also emailed to Gallaudet alumni through an email list that GUAA had asked access for but was denied use of just the day before, thus creating an unpredicted backlash from alumni. 

“I am deeply troubled by the divisions among us and by the anger that overtook reason, respect, and civility.” - Quote from IKJ in regards to the Board’s decision to terminate Fernandes. In other words, IKJ is saying that angry, crazy, disrespectful, and uncivil people convinced the Board of Trustees to terminate Fernandes. Talk about another slap in the face to the Deaf community during the waning days of his presidency!

If that means I’m angry, crazy, disrespectful, and uncivil for being on the side of protestors, I’ll gladly accept that label any day.

There have been many other memorable quotes that inspired or inflammed us. Post your own memorable quotes here as well!