YOU KNOW WHAT? THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF ...

You know what? Eight days left for marking the first anniversary of "Unity for Gallaudet" protest erupted on May 1st, 2006. Many of us did not really realize how time passed us pretty fast.

What we suppose to do about the first anniversary of "Unity for Gallaudet" protest? Moment of solemn? What about naming "Ryan Commerson Day" as a reminder about the importance of "freedom of speech, expression and the right to assembly" under the U.S.'s "Bill of Rights"?

That would be really nice if almost all the educational faciltiies of the deaf offer impromptu lessons on the importance of "Bill of Rights" within the U.S. Constitution for us having a peaceful demonstration and the right to the freedom of speech and expression and assembly.

Teaching the deaf youngster all the basic necessity of how we could resolve such an arising situation, ex. processing grievance like issuing an open letter of concerns and offer any kind of resolution to be solved. Having the social science class or deaf studies class or history class to experience the fictional protest of their own as as a hand-on experience.

Gallaudet University's Student Body Government seems not having any plan to mark the first anniversary of "Unity for Gallaudet" so far! Gallaudet students seems preoccupied with final academic exams and research papers lately.

Hopefully for Gallaudet alumnus and other deaf activists celebrating the first anniversary of "Unity for Gallaudet" protest nationally. The "UFG" protest is really the best thing happened to the deaf/Deaf community at large in long time. Don't squander the time of opporunity for the betterment of deaf community at large!

We must defeat the "Pah Syndrome" and make the real difference in our deaf community at large from embracing overdue reforms on deaf issues and resolving them for the long-term interests.

Too soon for creating the historical context of the "Unity for Gallaudet" protest? Hosting the neighborhood block party with video loop via Powerpoint on bed sheet? Any ideas?? Would love to hear from you.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)