DPN10 Anniversary: In Their Own Words-Jerry Covell

[Jerry as he looks in 1998] I am still pushing, teaching, fighting, lobbying and looking for the day that I, along with millions of deaf people, can proudly say,
"PAH!
I AM EQUAL
AT LAST!
PAH!!"

Jerry Covell

People have always asked why I became a leader or how the Deaf President Now protest has affected my life. These are two of the most difficult questions for me to answer because it cannot be easily put into words. I believed that my people were ready to take charge of their own lives and I let that be known! Becoming a DPN leader was not my choice or decision but rather, the choice and the decision of the students who wanted me to represent them. That question can be answered better by them. [photo of Jerry Covell signing]

DPN has profoundly and significantly affected my life. It made me more committed to serve my people. It made me more determined to have America and the public accept and respect deaf people, allow deaf people to control their destiny, and preserve the beauty, tradition, and values of our culture and language. The ultimate goal is to see deaf people empower themselves and know their rights, resulting in necessary changes in all walks of life. My life is still affected today because we are not satisfied! Therefore, I am still pushing, teaching, fighting, lobbying and looking for the day that I, along with millions of deaf people, can proudly say "PAH! I AM EQUAL AT LAST! PAH!!"

We made a huge and explosive impact in March 1988, one so tremendous that the ripple effect is still very much alive and visible today. I am proud and honored to have been part of DPN and so should everyone involved. It is something we all should remember and cherish. It brought us together and renewed our spirits.

My thoughts after DPN:

People use the words "Deaf movement" to describe DPN. It is understandable why such terms are used, however, I would not label the revolution at Gallaudet the "Deaf movement." DPN generated much pride, empowerment and feelings of "can do" attitude in the deaf community. It created profound changes within the deaf community and increased public awareness of deafness that have not happened in the past prior to DPN. All kinds of dreams, hopes, desires, and expectations surged as a result of DPN. This can be interpreted as a movement; however, many necessary changes have yet to be made. Therefore, it should not be considered a movement. The Deaf President Now focused only on Gallaudet University and the students' demands: a deaf president, the removal of Spilman as chair of the Board of Trustees, a 51% majority of deaf people on the Board of Trustees, and no reprisals against those involved. We accomplished all of that at Gallaudet.

[Jerry celebrates the naming of I. King Jordan
as president] Many of the dreams, hopes, desires, and expectations of deaf people were not met at the end of DPN and still have not been met today. However, progress has been made since DPN. Very slow and incremental changes! Do we have to wait years before we can feel equal? Respected? Have full accessibility? That is unacceptable as we will continue to pass along inequality and oppression to our deaf children of tomorrow! Why not have a real Deaf movement. Show the nation the power of the deaf community, Deaf Power! Teach the nation the pride we have in our culture. Deaf and Proud! Let us begin a deaf movement. Our deaf children of tomorrow deserve better!

"A house divided against itself cannot stand" -- Abraham Lincoln
"United we stand, divided we fall" -- Missouri State Motto

These words hold powerful meanings, especially to a community as diverse as ours. Deaf people, regardless of hearing loss, communication modes, or cultural identity, share one common bond -- a fight against communication barriers so thoughtlessly created by the larger non-deaf society.

I cannot overemphasize the importance that we all need to work together. It was done at Gallaudet during the Deaf President Now movement. It still can be done today. The fight to obtain accessibility, equality, opportunity, and respect for ALL individuals with a hearing loss should be used nationally within the deaf community and should not detract from the unique diversity that exists in our community. The diversity within the deaf community can be divisive only when we are unwilling to compromise, which leads to recognition, services, and programs that benefit some but not all.

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Last modified January 30, 1998