More perspectives on Gallaudet President Cordano's 5-year contract, Dr. Anderson as BOT Chair
THE DAILY MOTH:
I’ve reached out to two deaf people who have been very outspoken on social media about Black Lives Matter issues and and on Gallaudet University’s issues of racism. I asked them if they could share their thoughts on Gallaudet’s big announcements this week. They are Wegahta Aresei and Jamal Garner. I’ll start with the first and go to the second.
ALEX:
On Wednesday, there were two big announcements. Bobbi Cordano had her five-year contract extension and Dr. Glenn Anderson was appointed as the Board Chair. What are your feelings and response to that, if you can share?
WEGAHTA ARESEI:
I have a lot to say but I’ll sum it up. I will be honest. I am very, very angry. I’m not an “angry Black woman” but I am angry as a human being. President Bobbi, right now I don’t call her a president because she is not acting very presidential right now. She doesn’t deserve that title. Why is that? During her presidency, what has she done to deserve another five years? I want to know why. Why did the Board grant her five more years after all of our complaints? So obviously, now we know, the Board is very biased. They don’t represent all BIPOC people. They don’t. Because if they had the right kind of empathy, vision, and understanding, they would not allow this to continue another five years. So obviously they are in the same boat as President Bobbi. They don’t care about the community. They don’t. If we can’t fight at the administrative level, what makes you think that the president — I mean the students — can fight? They are now intimidated. They are staying silent and can’t fight. If we as a community can’t fight at the national level, at the political level, at the administrative level, then the students are far more vulnerable. They can’t fight. So now, I feel that President Bobbi doesn’t acknowledge our pain. Our oppression. Our voices. Our complaints. Our protests. She doesn’t acknowledge it. If she really wants to talk about BLM and protests, about unpacking as a white, privileged person, she would humbly resign and allow that position to be opened for the community to pick who they feel is best suited for the position. For her to continue to arrogantly go on for another five years means what? She continues to promote racism. White supremacy. She continues to promote that this behavior is okay. The appointment of Dr. Glenn Anderson is another scapegoat to me. If you ask me why, we already lost (Dr. Laurene Simms). Now, who is next? Dr. Glenn Anderson? What are you trying to do? I need the Black and POC community to make sure that demands are met before we accept any positions by the President of Gallaudet University! Right now I am very angry! I need the community to speak up, to stand up and fight! Because if we don’t do this, students can’t fight.
THE DAILY MOTH:
Gallaudet did release a 13-point plan on how to respond to BSU’s petition. But it did not address NBDA’s, as that is a different list. But they responded to BSU. And Bobbi did make a vlog two weeks ago in which she made several commitments. It doesn’t seem to make you feel any better? What are your thoughts on that, these actions? Why are you calling for a resignation? I’m curious.
WEGAHTA ARESEI:
This is bigger than BSU. This is bigger than NBDA. This is about a worldwide community. So her plans means nothing. If she did that when she first came in as a president, we might have given her another chance. But now she is just doing this because we are screaming. Now, suppose in the next year, when we are not fighting, what will happen. They will go back to sleep like she has been the past five years as president. So this is bigger than just a student list. This is about a worldwide community. So if there is anything, any kind of plan, we have already lost trust. And we are afraid that she will say those things and not follow through, just like she has not followed through? Ask the students. Ask the community. Are they satisfied? Do they agree with her five-year contract extension? They have a right to have a voice on whether the decision is right or not. It’s not up to the Board of Trustees. They are supposed to listen to us, and they aren’t, so they need to be replaced too!
THE DAILY MOTH:
Does it make a difference that Dr. Glenn Anderson is the Board Chair? Or does it not make a difference?
WEGAHTA ARESEI:
I wish he didn’t accept the position because we had demands for Gallaudet to meet before he took the position. That’s what I wish he didn’t do. I don’t know if he can overhaul this. But he has my respect for accepting this position. It will be heavy on him. He will be worn out. Unless he has people with the same mind, but other than that, it will be a lot of work. He should not have to bear with this mess. He should not have to be the one to clean up. I feel that the Board of Trustees should have been replaced before he took the position. That’s how I feel, but again, I have a lot of respect for him and I don’t know what he will do, but it will be a lot for him.
THE DAILY MOTH:
The Gallaudet presidency is often a controversial position. It’s sensitive. Gallaudet has already gone through two protests. Dr. Glenn Anderson was a part of the second protest**, and do you feel that this is at a level of seriousness that there could be a “third protest?” Do you feel it could happen?
WEGAHTA ARESEI:
No question. We have been too accepting and have brushed things aside. That’s the problem. When will we realize that we, the Black Deaf community, are fighting for the freedom to be Black in America? When will that statement get through their head? We don’t exist. We are not human beings in accordance to the white system. Gallaudet is no different. President Bobbi confirmed it with the five-year contract. If she really has empathy, stand with us. We are asking you to simply resign. The world is watching you. So you continue to be in that position. They are still sleeping. Set an example by being honest and say, “I have failed as a president to meet Black and POC’s needs and wants. I will humbly resign and do what they ask of me.” That’s what a true, humble leader would do, instead of holding on. That is a slap on our faces. I don’t know where we are supposed to go from here. We have bigger issues to address, which is systemic racism. She needs to resign. She is not the right person for this job because she already failed. For example, she said Kappa Gamma is the face of racism. That means she doesn’t understand racism. It affects every area of Gallaudet University. Not just Kappa Gamma. She focused on KG and she failed to understand that. Was that all she learned as president? She clearly doesn’t get it. She is not the right person for this position. The Board of Trustees needs to be replaced as well. We need all perspectives, we need a Board that can represent the entire community, not just biased ideas. Or those who are in it for their own benefit. No. It is not just a university. This is our lives. This is our deaf world. That is why we care so much that we put ourselves in the fight to make sure Gallaudet has the right people, the right approach, the right goals, the right vision, and more. We care so much that we are hurting. We can’t be silent about this. The Board and the president needs to humble themselves and listen to us. It is not up to you. Without the community, you don’t have jobs. That’s it.
THE DAILY MOTH:
I think you said it all. It is a very strong perspective. I appreciate your time and your willingness to comment and to be outspoken. I know it is not easy because you find yourself having to do a lot of work. Not many would take a stand like you. Thank you for your time.
WEGAHTA ARESEI:
I encourage others to do the same. Because I feel lonely here. I hope other people will follow, because it takes all of us to bring about a beautiful change, for us to feel safe and included. Also to celebrate diversity together.
THE DAILY MOTH:
Now we’ll go to Jamal.
JAMAL GARNER:
Hey everyone, my name is Jamal Garner.
You can call me Big Jamal. I graduated from Gallaudet University, becoming an alumni this year. I live in Jacksonville, Illinois. The Daily Moth reached out to me.
He was curious about my thoughts on two things: President Bobbi’s new five year contract, and Dr. Glenn Anderson becoming chair of the Gallaudet Board of Trustees.
I’m happy to share my thoughts.
First things first, I’m taking my own risk to speak on behalf of students of color, BIPOC, and other persons of color at Gallaudet University.
There’s been a lot of dialogue and frustration around everything going on.
People are sick and tired of all of this, they’re angry, and many complaints have been made about Gallaudet’s system.
Also, Gallaudet has oppressed us students of color, BIPOC, and persons of color.
We face discrimination. Racism. Elitism. Sexism. Nepotism. Colorism, and many more “isms” at Gallaudet.
I’ve been following people’s stories on all of this.
I did speak out by calling out
Gallaudet University President Bobbi.
Much has been said about this, and President Bobbi, you have failed us and you have failed our community for four years now. We have called you out to stop racism.
Yes, we reject Bobbi’s statements regarding our community. She said Gallaudet University was suspending a fraternity because it was the face of systemic racism. No, let me correct you. Gallaudet is the face of systemic racism. Greek organizations are a small part of systemic racism. Remember, when it comes to the issues within Gallaudet, there are many. Greek organizations are only a small part of the picture. The system as a whole is much worse.
Putting that aside for now, when it comes to Bobbi’s five-year contract extension, there are feelings of outrage. And feelings of shock. I thought maybe her term would be for one more year, maybe two. But no, five years! I mean...why?! Bobbi has already failed our community multiple times. Our students of color, BIPOC, and persons of color. People have expressed their experiences, used their voices, shared powerful stories. We want an overhauled change to the system. But we continue to be ignored despite our repeated requests.
We have asked for Bobbi to hire a diverse team to work with her. Give people job opportunities.
I noticed Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees has ordered Bobbi to commit to anti-racism work. After some unpacking, she’s committed to working with our community. She must focus on students of color, BIPOC, and persons of color. She must make changes and take action.
The second topic is Dr. Glenn Anderson. I’m thrilled! He’s back to become the chair of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees with a two-year term. I know that he’s a great leader, and he’s perceptive to the community. He’s willing to roll up his sleeves and get to work to help make changes, to make Gallaudet safer for students of color, BIPOC, and persons of color. I see Dr. Anderson and I feel like I can trust him and his process.
I think Dr. Glenn Anderson will work with Bobbi regarding what the real issues are with students of color, BIPOC, and persons of color. I know that he will figure it out and do what it takes to dismantle Gallaudet University’s systemic racism.
To sum up my thoughts, here are my suggestions for Gallaudet University: Tear down systemic racism, hire diverse people. Work in solidarity with our community. Make your university safe. Make Gallaudet strong for our future generations.
THE DAILY MOTH:
Thank you Jamal for your time and for sharing. Now we understand more viewpoints regarding Gallaudet University’s announcement. Clearly, it is an controversial decision with controversial viewpoints. How do we go forward? What are our roles in the time ahead? That’s something we need to talk about.
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**Clarification: Dr. Glenn Anderson was not a “part” of the protests in the sense that he was an involved party on a particular side. In 2006, he left his position as the Board Chair to apply for the Gallaudet presidency. He was not considered a top-three finalist. The three finalists were all white individuals. Multiple Black students and the Black Student Union protested by carrying a coffin with the slogan, “diversity is dead.” The overwhelming majority of students initially dismissed those concerns, but when the then-provost Dr. Jane Fernandes was appointed as president, there were “full-blown” protests. There was tension between Black and white students on why the first protest was not considered as important as the second protest.