Word by None Else But Mr. Man

Let's not forget the international students who risked their health and lives in fighting for the cause by going on hunger strikes. Let's give 'em our hearty handshakes! We all wish you Happy New Year, too!

Καλή χρονιά! - Kali Chronia! (Greek)

Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar! (Dutch)

Glückliches Neues Jahr! (German)
Bonne Année! (French)
Buon Capodanno! (Italian)
明けましておめでとう! - Akemashite Omedeto! (Japanese)
新年好! - Chu Shen Tan! (Chinese)

С Новым годом! - S Novym Godom! (Russian)

with love,

the cartoonist

Joe California

New Cartoon

Chris Leon's suggestion in his blog a while back gave me an idea for this cartoon. Instead of drawing him signing "big-headed" as Chris had originally envisioned, I've drawn him signing "Handwaves." This is to show how big-hearted we Californians really are. I'm a proud Californian. One of my ancestors, my late great-grandfather John McClintock, moved from the East to this state with his family at the beginning of the 20th Century and settled in Altadena, northeastern of Los Angeles. Back in his time Los Angeles was only a small city surrounded by mostly farmland. He planted orange trees in a land he bought there and, as a philanthropist, would later give many contributions to the city of Altadena. May the warmth of the sun we feel here in the West spread to the East and surround Kendall Green!

Stay tuned for my New Year's Eve message coming up soon tomorrow!

JKF's Perception of Gallaudet University

JKF's perception of Gallaudet University as a "deaf club"

Sorry...can't resist! When JKF made her famous "deaf club" comment, an idea immediately sprang to my mind! :D

(For those who missed the JKF interview, see this link http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2006/12/17/dr-fernandes-finally-speaks/)

Political Cartoon of the Week

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

I had done this cartoon before Elizabeth's post about the PUG's breakfast meeting with the BoT came out yesterday. When I read her post, I changed the text in the rate box from "PG: Parents Guidance Advised" to "PUGI: Parents United Gallaudet Ignored" because I felt the PUG's advice and concerns were ignored.

Censure, Not Punish

editorial by D. McClintock

I think maybe I wasn't loud enough in proposing that the BoT censure certain actions instead of mete out reprisals. It seems I am the only blogger with this idea for censure. Let me explain why I am in favor of this alternative to reprisals.

For definition and history of censure, see this link, http://www.winwithoutwarus.org/html/new_censure.whatis.html#historical

Why does not the BoT do the same for certain protestors, whose behavior was unacceptable? Censure communicates the message that such behavior, as throwing bottles and vandalism, is unacceptable. Censure may also serve as a warning for future protestors. Censure is a face-saving measure that the BoT should have considered. Extreme reprisals, in my view, such as expulsion of all those who were involved in the protests, send out the wrong message.

I have travelled widely around the world and have witnessed how America was perceived in other countries. I understand generally how Europeans and Asians think. I fear that if extreme reprisals are carried out, prospective students in other countries will see Gallaudet as a "not-friendly" place. Reprisals may hurt Gallaudet's image farther in the long run than the BoT may realize.

The best course of action for the BoT would be to rescind reprisals immediately and offer a censure instead. This would be peaceful and appropriate, in light of the need for harmony on campus. The BoT should also take into account the students' complaints against the DPS, who exceeded use of force beyond the limits of their authority.

If the BoT feel reprisals are absolutely neccessary, let the reprisals be light....community service, research papers, compensation for damages...what else? Nothing more. I, the faceless blogger who lives 3,000 miles away from Washington, D.C., have never met the student who threw an apple through the window or spraypainted over IKJ's name. But I don't feel a desire he should be expelled from campus for what he did. Rather I think he should be made aware such behavior is wrong, that's all. Let his education continue. I think he should even come forward and offer to pay for the damages. I think it would be better for the student to take the bullet for the movement than the movement to take the bullet for the student. This is up to the student.

Ken (Bibliomarket) suggested a boycott of Gallaudet to protest reprisals by the BoT. While I respect his opinion and support his call for solidarity, I think this idea would backfire. Why? It would probably defeat the purpose of the protests. What good would staying at home in January accomplish? Have you thought what negative impact it might have on Gallaudet's accreditation process? What about those students whose tuition is already paid in full for one year? Come on, do you want Dr. Davila the new Interim President to come to an empty university? I think your visible presence is needed back on campus. I think we should think of more creative and proactive ways to protest the reprisals. I think you need to be there to show the BoT what student power is about.

The Symbolism of the Gavel: Social Justice

commentary by D. McClintock

This is in reference to Mishka Zena's two recent posts, one an open letter by Tina Jo Breindel and the other Mishka's commentary on the symbolism of the wooden ruler. Mishka saved my time from explaining the symbolism of the ruler, so I will just comment on the symbolism of the gavel here.

http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2006/12/14/open-letter-to-pramuk-and-hillel/

http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2006/12/14/the-symbolism-of-wooden-ruler/

I am no longer angry at IKJ but looking to move forward. Let IKJ have all his milestones he wants. I am very familiar with psychology, for I grew up with a psychologist with a Phd. as my stepfather. I understand that the mere sight of a ruler makes one shiver with anger, for to this person it symbolizes oppression. It brings for many of us unpleasant memories of our childhood experiences. What can we do to be proactive, to replace this disturbing symbol? Hence I propose the gavel. As one of my fans had suggested for my "Changing of the Guards" cartoon, it symbolizes shared goverance, democracy in action and efficient policymaking. It can symbolize student power, as well.

In the beginning of the protests students cried for social justice. After "Black Friday" the demand for social justice got louder. So this will be a symbol for social justice.

The ruler broken by the gavel is not IKJ's ruler per se, but the ruler of oppression that we endured our lives in our pasts. This gavel to me symbolizes shattering the power of painful memories, breaking away old constructs to give way for new ideas, new life.

I support Tina Jo's call for amnesty for all involved in the protests. Early in my blogs I had called for a pardon and a censure. I still support pardon for those protestors if any one of them is found to be guilty. But in this context Tina Jo pointed out, amnesty makes the most sense. I reiterate my proposition that the Board of Trustees censure only acts that are inappropriate (spraypainting, throwing bottles, etc.), not punish the protestors themselves. I also propose that the BoT condemn the actions IKJ and his Administration undertook to suppress the protestors with use of force. Let there be no reprisals, period. Let there be social justice for all!

What do you think?

Political Cartoon of the Week

The Incredible Shrinking Man

The Measure of His Stature

G'morning, folks! This may or may not be the last IKJ cartoon. As I post this cartoon, please note I've been fair to IKJ when I spoke out against spraypainting over his name on the building and throwing a bottle at his wife (which I thought were both wrong and counterproductive). I even had respect for him before and after I met him the first time at a party, until the time when he ordered bulldozers to crash the MSSD gates and push away protestors. As you know, ever since I started my protest cartoons last May, I've always consistently opposed acts of violence, whether on the part of the Administration or certain protestors. This is how Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Alice Cosgwell would have wanted it - no violence at all on their campus.

Blatant disregard for safety may be considered as an act of violence, and to me IKJ's decision on that fateful day apparently showed lack of regard for people's safety. I still, though, respect IKJ nonetheless as a private citizen and his family and their rights to privacy or a peaceful life. But as a politician and Gallaudet President, IKJ is fair game for political cartoons. So here's a new one - "The Measure of His Stature."

When Ridor mentioned IKJ's gift of the wooden ruler to his faculty and staff at his last holidays party, I was flabbergasted. I found this ironic, for just last week on December 5 I drew a man in the left picture in my "Changing of the Guards" cartoon holding a ruler! Was this prophetic? Or did IKJ see this and ordered customized wooden rulers on purpose to spite me? Maybe I underestimated the effects my cartoons have on the public?

In one of his previous blogs Sherlock Steve wrote about IKJ's unusual gift and described what he saw was symbolism behind the wooden ruler. I can empathize with him, for I went through similiar experiences in childhood. It's odd how I thought of that symbol when I first drew the "Changing of the Guards" cartoon. It may come from the collective super-conscious. I shall explain my perspective of the symbolism behind the ruler and the gavel later.

According to Ridor, the 19-inch ruler was in reference to IKJ's 19 years of service at Gallaudet. It's amazing how a few acts can diminish the years of reputation he built upon accomplishments he achieved for Gallaudet University. This is, I think, unfortunate. With a scandal over Gallaudet's accreditation in question and suspicions of his alleged participation in misappropriation of the $4 million DPS fund ) looming over his head, his reputation seems to be shrinking than ever. Why does he want to leave earlier on December 22? Is he in a hurry? What is he running from?
(See http://bibliomarket.wordpress.com/2006/12/12/ik-jordan-departing-dec-22-admidst-scandal/)

Speaking of who, where is IKJ? Oh, there he is!...wow...you can't believe how fast he is shrinking! :D

Link to Deaf Latinos Website

Folks, here's a link to information on the growing deaf Latino community that you may be interested in seeing. Dr. Davila's photo is posted on this website.

http://www.educ.kent.edu/fundedprojects/TSPT/unitexamples/DeafHispanics-083005.ppt

Also, check out Jamie Berke's link:

http://deafness.about.com/cs/subcultures/a/hispanic.htm

¡Unidos y Adelante!- D.

UPDATE: The first link's now fixed. Thanks, Tayler!

posted by Dan McClintock at 10:45 AM

1 Comments:

tayler said...

The first link is broken.

11:05 AM

General Pinochet

by D. McClintock

Former dictator of Chile General Augusto Pinochet passed away on December 10, 2001 after he became seriously ill, following a heart attack on December 4. Pinochet and the previous President of Chile, Salvador Allende, whom he overthrew in a violent coup d'etat in 1973, were two men who divided Chile emotionally and philosophically, like IKJ and JKF did to Gallaudet and the deaf community. Pinochet and Allende, to some Chileans, represented the Extreme Right and Left, respectively. Thankfully, after enduring some of the most tumultous times in history under Pinochet and Allende, Chile has settled on a more middle-of-the road as a democracy with a free market economy and a socialist government. For more information on Pinochet's background and Chilean history, I would like to share with you readers with this link to an interesting article:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-2497858,00.html

Incidentally, my late grandfather was Ambassador to Venezuela when Pinochet seized power and Allende was assassinated on September 11, 1973. During the same year before this happened, my parents had divorced, I was taken out of Clarke School and we moved to another state. My family and I travelled to Venezuela once to visit my grandparents in 1971 (this is one of many stories I shall illustrate one day). My grandmother was born in Santiago, Chile, and her father, my late-grandfather, Luis Aníbal Barrios, was a Senator and Minister of Finances in the Chilean government during the 1910s. (for his picture, see http://www.hacienda.gov.cl/ministerio.php?opc=showContenido&id=646&nav_id=189&contar=1&tema_id=&code=sa.bD.tHo0V66)

I wonder what the reactions of deaf Chilenos are to the news of Pinochet's death. I know there aren't that many deaf Chilenos out in the U.S. compared to Mexicans and other fellows from South-American countries. If any of you out there is a deaf Chileno, whether you or your family are pro or anti-Pinochet, you're welcome to post your comments or stories here!

¡Felicitaciones, Dr. Davila!

Congratulations, Dr. Robert Davila!

I first met Dr. Robert Davila in 1978 when he was acting dean of MSSD and my parents and I came to Washington, D.C. for an interview at MSSD. I can't remember every detail, but I recall that upon our visit to his office, Dr. Davila inquired whether I was Latino or Italian. (Throughout my life so many people thought I looked either Italian or Greek! Which was funny, because at my first impression of him I thought he was Italian! I wasn't exposed to many Mexican-Americans in the East when I was a child.) When I replied that I was part Latino, he greeted me by signing a few Spanish words. That impressed me and my parents. (More on my South American background in the coming next post) Dr. Davila sure knew how to make one feel welcome!

One blogger compared Dr. Davila and the outgoing President IKJ by how they greeted people after Dr. Davila's speech. Based on my personal experience in meeting each man, I would agree with his analysis. The only time when I met IKJ was at a private social function (a friend's birthday party, years ago), I greeted him and introduced myself. He acknowledged me with a nod (like one of my cartoon characters New York Elvis's silent, nonchalant nod) and shook my hand. It was a light, formal handshake...not the tight, warm kind you'd expect. From him I felt a polite aloofness. We didn't converse beyond this point.

Dr. Davila, on the other hand, radiated warmth. He and I have conversed several times during the times I was a MSSD student and other times as a professional. As a Hispanic-American whose father was born in Europe and spoke three languages, I felt a connection with him. Although I was born in the United States and I am a full U.S. citizen, technically I am a citizen of two countries (Sweden and Chile). My father, who was born in Sweden to my American grandfather and Chilean grandmother, was automatically a Swedish citizen. But he shuffled around to several countries as he grew up and my grandfather the diplomat was assigned different posts.

According to Chilean law nationality may be passed to the individual through his grandmother. The U.S., however, does not recognize dual nationality. Nevertheless, in a way I was an international student. Spanish is my third language, next to ASL and English . MSSD at my time had several international students. One student, a boy, came from Ethiopia. Another student, a girl, originated from Cuba and moved to Florida with her family. There was this exchange student from Germany, a girl. There were many students from Puerto Rico, too.

If Dr. Davila makes you feel welcome as he did when I first came to MSSD, this is the kind of man you want for President.

Dr. Davila, in my view, personifies international goodwill in his grace and manner. I think his presence at Gallaudet University will help to bring attention to issues that concern students of color, including deaf and hard of hearing Hispanic Americans, and international students. I think his leadership will bring about many positive changes that we hope to see on campus. I also hope that he will see to that those international students who were involved in the protests may have a chance to extend their stay in the U.S. without fear of reprisals. After all, we should make them feel welcome, like this is su casa.

I don't know what the reactions of other deaf people in San Diego (Dr. Davila's hometown) are to the news of his new post as Interim President...the news had just broken out yesterday...but I am certain that they are as elated as I am and you are! Especially those who are Mexican-American or from Mexico. Some of you may don't know how much this news of the first deaf Mexican-American to be Interim President of Gallaudet University means to us. This is time for joyous celebrations, indeed! Bob, we are PROUD of you! From the bottom of our hearts we say - CONGRATULATIONS! And in the language of our countries...¡FELICATICIONES!

¡Viva la Revolución de Gallaudet!

Attention, All Deaf Cartoonists!

Quick announcement here:

San Diego Comic Con International will be held on July 26-29, 2007. For full information, go to www.comic-con.org/

We need to get a booth here at this huge event! I will tell you more later about what happens every year at Comic Con. For those of you who haven't been there before, you'll DEFINITELY love it! I guarantee it! Movie stars and celebrities come to this event every year to plug their movies! Many people attend this event wearing wacky clothes, especially those Trekkies or fans of Star Wars!

Any of you deaf cartoonists interested in coming to San Diego next year?? If so, contact me ASAP to get on my list! I'll do whatever I can to make you feel welcome in my home city! We deaf cartoonists need to get exposure and this is one of the BEST places! I'm telling ya, it's a very, very huge annual event...thousands of people for 1 entire week! Last year and two years ago Comic Con filled the entire convention center from top to bottom!

Any one of you good at writing sponsorship letters? If you want to see a deaf cartoonists booth at Comic Con next year, we need to get sponsors very soon! The deadline for booth application is January 5, 2007. To those interested, please write me at my email address, dmcclintock@sandiego.com.

Any other idea or suggestion from you towards helping to set up this special deaf cartoonists booth would be welcome! Let's make waves in '07!

Thank you!

It Takes Two Hands To Rebuild

I see talk about rebuilding the unity on Gallaudet University increasing in the blogsphere, so here is my thought: It takes two hands to rebuild. Whether it be COSC and FSSA, the protestors or the Fernandes supporters, whichever group is divided among the students on campus, it takes two hands to make this big effort...rebuilding. I'm not pressuring anyone...nor am I one to give out orders...but it would be nice to see COSC and FSSA at least acknowledge each other, reconcile, put asides their differences and make a concrete plan towards rebuilding the unity. This is just my suggestion. I know COSC and FSSA may have disagreements with each other, but they are the groups who started all this, so they must finish it. I know this may be a busy month, with final tests and holiday breaks. Yet an outline should be drawn up somewhere. January may be a good time for undertaking definite actions. If students want to do something soon to initiate the process, fine, that's good. What do you think, readers?

Changing of the Guards

I know I said I thought I was gonna back out of Gallaudet politics for a little while. Actually I was just taking a breather. Now, I'm back with a couple of more new cartoons on Gallaudet politics this time. I'm not backing down from expressing my opinions or whatever. You wanted to see more "political" cartoons, so you got it.

This cartoon was suggested to me by a reader. I've modified it a little on my own. The group on the left represents the Old Guard, that wanted to continue on carrying out the vision of the IKJ Administration, so called "The New Deaf Order." The group on the right represents the New Guard, a coalition of people of diverse backgrounds, age, and hearing degrees (whether deaf, hard of hearing or hearing), with a vision for the "New Deaf Way." Notice one man in the left picture carries a ruler and the woman at the end of the desk carries a stamp. In the other picture one man carries a cellphone and a student at the end of the desk carries a gavel. According to the reader, this is the future that Gallaudet must be prepared for.

A Note to My Critics

Gee whiz! I didn't realize how upset my recent cartoons made some of you people. What are you griping about? The protests are over. The students got what they wanted. The problem's been solved. Harmony's been restored to the campus. What are you fussing about? Don't you see this is all just a parody?

My critics seem to be confused about my position on JKF and the Gallaudet protests. I would refer them to look at my "JKF's Makeover" in my original blog, dmcclintock.blogspot.com. OOOOF COURSE, I know what it was about...it was about the leadership issue, not the "not deaf enough" card!! D-uh! Siiigh...no, I didn't do this to feel "superior." Have you watched late tv shows lately? Jay Leno, David Letterman and other comedians mocked presidents, politicians, world leaders and other famous people EVERY NIGHT! Do they do it to feel superior themselves? They do it for a living! Look, this is a cartoon blog page. Most of the cartoons I blog here are satire. What did you expect - nice, cutesy, Disneyque cartoons?

I think I'll back out of Gallaudet politics for a while, seeing there are still some frayed nerves out there. To those who liked my cartoons and wrote positive comments, thank you for your support!

Peace out,
D.