Paotie

Yup. When I was a kid, I was fascinated with the Vietnam War and Ho Chi Minh and have been since. For a time, I remember my father being slightly angry about the war, and whenever we discussed it, he always spoke of his best friend who had been a helicopter pilot. My father, who is deaf, I always wondered, had to see his friends drafted off into a war that left him behind and without his buddies. I can’t imagine watching my best friends or brothers going off to war while I remained behind, unable to join the fight because of the fact I’m deaf.

So, now, I tend to view Ho Chi Minh was a sense of awe and respect. Early on, I hated the dreaded Vietcong, but as I got older and began to read more in depth into the war, I realized I was fascinated about so many things relating to Vietnam, the soldiers (especially snipers) who fought, and the political scene, and even the Vietcong themselves.

*eats a banana*

Seems the torch has been passed from you to your son.

Oh man .. 1983 was a helluva scary year!

Paotie

That BIG black eye shining out for everyone in the hearing world to look at will heal. During last years protest, any hearing parent who understands Deaf Culture, who communicated with their child attending Gallaudet at that time and did not pay attention to the media vomit, understood the protest that ousted Jane Fernandes. Hearing parents with an open mind, understands horseplay, and should NOT judge an Academic institution based on these unfortunate social events. I agree with you that Gallaudet must do better, we must do better. There must be a solution aimed at how to accomplish these goals so that Gallaudet and MSSD can be held to the highest standard as the center and leader of Deaf Culture. Why should we accept anything less?

Well said.

I don’t know of any other comment, article or blog that put it so perfectly.

Thanks!

Paotie

We now have one more BIG black eye shining out for everyone in the hearing world to look at.

All of those legislators in the U.S. Congress who provide funding for Gallaudet are Hearing.

All of those legislators in the State Capitols who provide funding for the state Deaf schools are Hearing.

Hearing people did not understand the protests that ousted Jane Fernandes. They will not understand “youthful horseplay” when white students write KKK on a Black student on the campus of Gallaudet.

If Gallaudet is the center and leader of Deaf Culture, then the University and every person who works there and every student who attends MSSD or Gallaudet will be held to a higher standard.

We must do better. Galluadet must do better.