Whose behavior was truly unacceptable?? by Michele Berke
Michele Berke, who is Tom Holcomb’s wife and Tara and Leala’s stepmother, flew to Washington, D.C. right after hearing about the arrests, wrote this letter. She and Tom flew back today and they are now back in the Bay Area.
Michele also had this to say about her experience in D.C.:
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:46:18
It was incredible...the students are inspiring and amazing. The administration is not. But, they are also getting tired...they need support..moral and physical.
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 12:05:41
FYI: this was a letter I sent this morning to Coogan, Jordan, Weiner and cc'd Debbie Curtis at Stark's office:
Dear Ms. Coogan and Dr. Jordan,
As did countless others, I flew to Gallaudet this past weekend to bear witness.
What I saw yesterday as a member of the human tunnel was contrary to what you described in your release regarding "threatening and unacceptable behavior." The students were peaceful, respectful, and quite engaging as they welcomed faculty, staff, fellow students and the Kendall buses to campus. I was inspired by the smiles that the students received in return from the drivers and their passengers.
In fact, the only unacceptable behavior I witnessed was that of your car as it carried Dr. Fernandes into the campus. Dr. Fernandes, of all the people that came through the campus between 5 and 9 a.m., was the only person NOT to make eye contact with the human tunnel. These are the very people for whom she is supposed to be responsible.
In fact, in her meeting with the students last week, Dr. Fernandes stated that she will not discuss the student issues unless the campus was reopened. The campus reopened and Dr. Fernandes has not made an effort to meet with them. She could not even look them in the eye yesterday morning.
You said "good morning" to me as you walked through the human chain to the 6th street gate. Dr. Jordan and Linda Jordan walked through and said good morning. Why is it that Dr. Fernandes, the president-designate, has not done the same thing?
"Threatening and unacceptable behavior"? Absolutely! Dr. Fernandes' behavior is threatening. Her behavior is a threat to the future of Gallaudet. Dr. Fernandes' behavior is unacceptable. A future leader must not sit behind the scenes and have other people state her message for her. A future leader must understand the issues. I have seen her say that she does not. A future leader must be accountable for her behavior. I have seen her play the "deaf card" when every message has been clear that it is not about her not being "deaf enough."
Ms. Coogan and Dr. Jordan, THAT is what I consider threatening and unacceptable behavior.
With a broken heart,
Michele G. Berke
Michele also had this to say about her experience in D.C.:
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:46:18
It was incredible...the students are inspiring and amazing. The administration is not. But, they are also getting tired...they need support..moral and physical.
Tue, 17 Oct 2006 12:05:41
FYI: this was a letter I sent this morning to Coogan, Jordan, Weiner and cc'd Debbie Curtis at Stark's office:
Dear Ms. Coogan and Dr. Jordan,
As did countless others, I flew to Gallaudet this past weekend to bear witness.
What I saw yesterday as a member of the human tunnel was contrary to what you described in your release regarding "threatening and unacceptable behavior." The students were peaceful, respectful, and quite engaging as they welcomed faculty, staff, fellow students and the Kendall buses to campus. I was inspired by the smiles that the students received in return from the drivers and their passengers.
In fact, the only unacceptable behavior I witnessed was that of your car as it carried Dr. Fernandes into the campus. Dr. Fernandes, of all the people that came through the campus between 5 and 9 a.m., was the only person NOT to make eye contact with the human tunnel. These are the very people for whom she is supposed to be responsible.
In fact, in her meeting with the students last week, Dr. Fernandes stated that she will not discuss the student issues unless the campus was reopened. The campus reopened and Dr. Fernandes has not made an effort to meet with them. She could not even look them in the eye yesterday morning.
You said "good morning" to me as you walked through the human chain to the 6th street gate. Dr. Jordan and Linda Jordan walked through and said good morning. Why is it that Dr. Fernandes, the president-designate, has not done the same thing?
"Threatening and unacceptable behavior"? Absolutely! Dr. Fernandes' behavior is threatening. Her behavior is a threat to the future of Gallaudet. Dr. Fernandes' behavior is unacceptable. A future leader must not sit behind the scenes and have other people state her message for her. A future leader must understand the issues. I have seen her say that she does not. A future leader must be accountable for her behavior. I have seen her play the "deaf card" when every message has been clear that it is not about her not being "deaf enough."
Ms. Coogan and Dr. Jordan, THAT is what I consider threatening and unacceptable behavior.
With a broken heart,
Michele G. Berke
posted by DeafBayBlogger at 9:13 PM
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