From a hearing ally

There’ s an ill wind blowing, and it’ s making me sick ...

There’s a cold wind blowing in California tonight. Do you feel it?

Is it Fall coming to intrude on our 80 degree, sunny, Fremont, California weather? Partly. Is it the fog settling in from our beautiful bay? Maybe. But the wind I feel is not a breeze that tickles the skin. It is an ill wind blowing from the East - a wind carrying messages that freeze the heart, chill the blood, and gnaw at the bone marrow. It rides in on shaky video, paged messages from children to their parents, and web-linked pleas for support. It manifests itself in the teary eyes of a mother recently informed that her son was purposely hit by a truck today. It reveals itself in the choice of media made by the "next President of Gallaudet University" when she used a radio program to advertise her intentions. Ultimately, it whirls around the term "new order."

There exist many historical uses of the term "new order."

Governments - including the current American administration - have used it. Religious groups have and do use it. It is used by groups as varied as Christian churches, avowed followers of the occult, business consultants, and civil rights groups. So, why did I feel an icy tightening in my chest when I read that Jane Fernandes used it?

While sitting on my couch watching the history channel, a realization struck that made me gasp for air. The winds created by the term New Order have raged against the Deaf community before. It was the term used by Adolf Hitler to represent his sterilization and extermination plan. The outward manifestations of this term have devastated the lives and legacies of students, friends, and families that I love and respect.

Now, I would never accuse Dr. Fernandes or Dr. Jordan of being Nazis or consciously borrowing their terminology. I believe that this comparison is used far too often in off-handed ways. When I see the holocaust tossed around metaphorically, I feel pain for the actual victims of those terrible times.

Still, there is a shudder crawling up my spine. And breathing feels uncomfortable. And my spirits feel chilled by harsh winds from the East. For you, Jane Fernandes, label my former students and fellow educators terrorists. And you, Dr. Jordan, allow heavy machinery to face off against the best and brightest of my most beloved students. And your public relations office continues to downplay the very real physical and emotional injuries your particular version of the New Order has inflicted on the children of my cherished friends

The stench from the garbage dumped on the protestors today has crossed the country on the gusts of wind created by your inability to open a true dialogue. It circles my nose and lands heavily on my heart. I am left with no choice but to warm myself in the flames of protest.

Laura Peterson
Fremont, California