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Epilogue
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E p L o G u E have been affiliated with Gallaudet as a student, alumnus, and employee, for more than twenty years. During that time, one of my most common experiences has been the necessity to explain to people I meet what and where Gallaudet is. I cannot begin to count the number of times, right here in Washington, D.C., I have been speaking with someone who asks, "Where do you work?" When I respond that I work at Gallaudet University, it inevitably draws a blank stare. I then spend a few minutes describing Gallaudet and our student population. People have always been surprised that such a unique university exists right under their noses and that they knew nothing whatsoever about it. I have now been president of Gallaudet since March 13, 1988. In the time since then, not once have I had the experience Ijust described, not in Washington, D.C., not in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Toronto, Philadelphia, or Dallas, not even in London! The response I get now when I tell people where I work is one of excitement. "Wow," they say, "that must be an exciting place to work. What's going on there now?" What's going on at Gallaudet? Let me try to tell you. One of the most important outcomes from the events of March 6--13 and the months following has been that new level ofawareness. Deafpeople and Gallaudet University have reached new heights. Any deaf person will be able to tell you a story about how the awareness and interest level is different now. Some ofour students who vacationed in Florida the week after March 13 told me about hearing students joining their groups and encouraging deaf people to join theirs. Faculty members report that when they attend conferences now other conferees notice Gallaudet University on their registration badges and swamp them with questions and plaudits. In grocery stores, on airplanes, almost everywhere, the new level ofinterest is evident. People who before March 1988 knew little or nothing about deafness are now advocates for our rights. More people realize now that deafness is a difference, not a deficiency. There is a growing interest in learning more about our beautiful language, our unique culture, and our cherished history. The events of March have been especially important for deaf people. We feel a renewed sense of pride, a heightened self-esteem, and a general feeling of optimism. We realize that deaf people can effect change and that new and better opportunities will emerge in education, in employment, and in virtually every area ofour lives. I have received letters from individuals who lost their hearing as adults and were despondent. They are now inspired to follow their 173 Dr. Irving King Jordan President Gallaudet University dreams. Parents and grandparents have sent me letters detailing their new found confidence that their children will grow up in a more accepting world. The impact ofthat historic week has been especially strong on the Gallaudet campus. We feel a new and energetic sense of community , a community of deaf and hearing employees and students. Students, faculty, and staff share a new pride. Teachers have higher expectations of students and students have higher expectations of themselves. They display a growing sense of responsibility and believe that it is more of an honor than ever to be a Gallaudet student. More and better students are coming to campus. Perhaps the best measure of success for a university is the achievements of its students and alumni. Our students were outstanding teachers and leaders during that week as they saw the coming together of the national and international deaf community (and friends of the deaf community) to fight for what they believed to be right. More importantly in the months since that week, the students have shown their understanding that all of us cannot rest on what has happened. We must continue to build on the increased awareness of, and interest in, deaf people. We must insist that the enhanced attitudes toward deafness and deaf people become even more positive. We know this, and we can do this only by demonstrating that, given the opportunity, deaf people can do anything but hear. At every opportunity I remind audiences that deaf people can do anything but hear. I remind deaf people and hearing people, friends of Gallaudet and people who are just learning about Gallaudet, the young and the elderly. I have criss-crossed the United States and...