Deaf president not deaf enough

AP - The newly chosen president of Gallaudet University, the nation's only liberal arts college for the deaf, faced student protests and a possible faculty no-confidence vote Monday in a dispute that she said comes down to whether she is "deaf enough" for the job.

Jane K. Fernandes, who was selected by the board of trustees last week and is scheduled to take office next January, was born deaf but grew up speaking and did not learn American Sign Language until she was 23. Sign language is the preferred way of communicating at 1,900-student Gallaudet.

While exams are over for the students, about 100 people were camped out at a tent city in a weeklong protest outside the gates. And the faculty called a meeting for Monday afternoon to consider a no-confidence vote against Fernandes.

"She does not represent truly our deaf community," said professor E. Lynn Jacobowitz.

Jeff Lewis, a university counselor who planned to support the no-confidence vote, said: "Gallaudet is a unique institution. It is the face of deaf America, and some people feel she does not fit in with that profile." Full story

Everyone get out a pen and write this down.

1) You absolutely can't discriminate against a deaf person -- unless you are deaf.
2) It's not discrimination if you don't want it to be.
3) Minority groups that fight for their civil rights can turn around and revoke the same rights from their own members.
4) This all makes perfect sense.

Can you hear me now?