For almost 125 years Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University) in Washington, D.C. has functioned quietly as a school for students with hearing impairments. The school has never had a new president from among the deaf. Recently, the board met to plan for a new president. There were two deaf candidates and one normal hearing, all equally qualified. The two deaf candidates were passed over. The one with normal hearing was appointed.

The board members suddenly discovered that the deaf were not dumb. Noisy demonstrations broke out on campus. Students blocked the entrances to the administration building. The school was shut down for weeks. Television cameras recorded the unfolding saga. The faculty joined the students. The board at last capitulated. A qualified deaf person is not president of Gallaudet University. But what was this all about?

First of all, it was all about self-worth. In passing over the two qualified deaf candidates, the board sent the wrong message to the students. To them the message read: "Because you are deaf, you can never expect to be president of anything. So content yourselves with second-class citizenship." The students responded in kind. They shut down the school. Their message said, "Until you understand that we are preparing to lead normal lives, we will close up the school. And we will accept no imposed limitations based on our ‘handicap." You will accommodate our handicap and make room for us." One of the demonstrators shouted, "Now the sky is the limit!"

Secondly, Gallaudet was all about equality. Are people less equal because of a handicap? The handicapped are a minority, hence the majority must accommodate to be fair. Former President Jimmy Carter will long be remembered for his advocacy of the needs of the handicapped.

Thirdly, Gallaudet speaks to and of the human spirit. To be alive is to hope and to aspire. The students of Gallaudet could have indulged in self-pity, bemoaning the fact that they were "short-changed," as it were, and could have become human vegetables. They have refused this luxury and opted for the tougher challenge of competing in the real world. Their courage commands respect.

Finally, Gallaudet was all about government. If it is legitimate for some people to govern, it is also kosher for others to desire to govern. Among human beings, there is no divine right of kings based on hearing, sight, speech or color. It is important for all people to understand this. Franklin D. Roosevelt was President of the United states of America, his paralysis not withstanding. Hats off to the students of Gallaudet University. Perhaps that’s what Jesse Jackson is all about. He is forcing the system to confront itself. Can white America rise above color and do what is best for itself?

When Jesse’s run is complete we will know. Perhaps, some of us already do. You see, in my native state of Alabama, thousands of Republicans "crossed over" to vote in the Democratic primary to defeat Jesse. The large black vote pulled Jackson through, giving him a winning margin. In the [last] presidential campaign [he ran in], this was not nearly enough! In an "at large" election nationwide, a snowball’s chances in hell-fire would be better. The more practical objective is "clout" at the Democratic Convention in Atlanta. Jesse Jackson has succeeded in this. He carried at least 700 – 800 delegates to Atlanta as a bargaining chip. This is the Civil Rights movement for now.

Perhaps the students of Gallaudet took a page from the Black man’s notebook. We are determined that being black shall not hold us back! The Black man’s struggles in America have helped a lot of people. Others may get "tired" of it all. We cannot afford to – for you see, the lives we save will be our children’s!

Dr. E.E. Cleveland is a published author of over 15 books worldwide. His services as an Evangelist are always in great demand.