NBDA sends list of demands to Gallaudet University

[NOTE TO VIEWERS: Due to technical difficulties, refer to captioning for parts of this story.]

Transcript

Last week Gallaudet University President Robert “Bobbi” Cordano released a video to all alumni.

The video was entitled “Acting on our history of systemic racism.”

Cordano says the death of George Floyd and the emergence of photos of Gallaudet fraternity Kappa Gamma displaying what appeared to be a Nazi salute and wearing KKK-like robes was a “threshold moment” for Gallaudet.

It prompted her to address and tear down any remnants of systemic racism on campus.

Kappa Gamma was suspended and Cordano pledged to review campus policy and establish multi-cultural organization development to learn, heal, and change.

In response to that video, the National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) just released a video of its own and sent an open letter to Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees with a list of their own demands, including removing Cordano as president of Gallaudet.

The following video was posted on NBDA’s YouTube channel by President Isidore Niyongabo.

Hello, beloved members of our community.

I wanted to make a quick summary of this short vlog accompanying our open letter written by NBDA Board of Directors based on upon monitoring the ongoing circumstances at Gallaudet University in addition to the concerns raised by Gallaudet students, staff, faculty, and some alumni members.

For that reason, we feel it important for Gallaudet University Board of Trustees to take an immediate action to support our community and create a safe space.

We understand that this vlog is not yet available for transcript from ASL but it will be made available soon (now available).

The written text is clearly and fully owned by NBDA Board.

Please do not accuse or take any type of retaliation against Gallaudet students, staff, faculty, or any alumni member for this full accountability as a result of this open letter.

Any questions or concerns can be brought up to NBDA Board’s attention.

It is our hope that the Members of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees take action within the next 24-48 hours.

Because honestly, enough is enough.

We can’t continue to sit and watch our community continue to create diversions and a hostile environment.

We need leadership that creates full inclusion for every member of our diverse communities.

Thank you for reading and support this open letter.

Posted – 6.18.20