DPN10 Anniversary: In Their Own Words-Yoon Lee, student photographer

Be sure to visit our exhibit of Yoon's photos.

Yoon Lee, student photographer

"On the 8th Day of the DPN Movement, around 8pm some students were running toward the Field House and signing, 'WE WON! WE WON! EVERYONE GO TO THE FIELD HOUSE!' I was already tired from taking pictures every day and night for the previous seven days. I was excited to hear the news, but at the same time, I wasn't sure if this was really happening. Quickly, I went back to my dorm grabbed my camera bag and counted out about 10 to 15 rolls of film. I ran to the Field House. Half the gym was already full, and more people were coming. I showed my "Gallaudet Student Press Pass" to get past the security guard. As I sat down front of the stage, the four leaders standing on the stage started to give their victory speeches."

"All of sudden I realized that NO other Gallaudet student press photographer was there! I was all alone, and I began to feel sweaty because I knew I must take pictures-- more than enough-- and I was worried about my pictures, camera, and flashbulb batteries."

"As the four leaders took turns signing loudly 'WE WON! WE GOT THE DEAF PRESIDENT,' I took pictures of every angle I could think of, chasing everyone's face. Then they said, 'WE WILL MEET OUR NEW GALLAUDET PRESIDENT AT THE EMBASSY ROW HOTEL! OUR NEW DEAF PRESIDENT IS I. KING JORDAN!' Everyone was rushing and running out of the gym to go to the hotel. Thank goodness, my car had enough gas and I was lucky to find parking near the hotel. When I arrived, a pack of professional photographers and cameramen were already there. The amazing thing was that they let me go to the front when I showed my Gallaudet Student Press Pass."

"I started taking pictures like I was filming everything. You can see them in the book "The Week The World Heard Gallaudet" page 140 to 149, and one of my favorite pictures is the top picture on page 145, where King Jordan and his wife Linda are hugging. I never knew that picture would become famous. I ran back to the Tower Clock yearbook darkroom and developed my pictures that night. [photo of King and Linda Jordan hugging] The picture of King Jordan and his wife was used the next day's Buff and Blue student newspaper on the front page and then again for Deaf Mosaic's Five Year Anniversary video about the DPN Movement. I also gave a copy of that picture to President Jordan and his wife, Linda, during the 5th anniversary."

[photo of the Jordan's accepting
the framed photo from Yoon] "Through my camera lens, I had mixed feeling. All my life, I grew up with people telling me that hearing people are the normal ones and that they should take care of deaf people. I went to a mainstream school and then to California State University, Northridge (CSUN). I transferred to Gallaudet from CSUN because I wanted to find my true identity as a deaf person. Bang! DPN was happening in front of my eyes. I couldn't ask for a better way to find meaning as a Deaf person. I was totally speechless and I felt like I was dreaming because you saw Deaf students, teachers, children, and parents chanting "Deaf President Now" every minute in the front of the campus entrance. After watching them for seven days, I felt their signs grow louder and louder. When I first heard their deaf voices, I was embarrassed by what hearing people might think. Remember, I had just transferred three months before. Deep down in my heart, though, I felt 'fire' and angry because I just couldn't bear to accept in my head or heart that deaf people couldn't do things for themselves. When we were victorious, I felt like I had a new freedom and spirit."

home profiles issues impact views activities

This page is maintained by the
Gallaudet University Public Relations Department.
Send comments or suggestions to:
public.relations@gallaudet.edu
Last modified February 20, 1998