The Symbolism of Wooden Ruler
As most of you are already aware, Jordan had decided that his parting gift will be a custom-made 19-inch ruler with milestones recorded on the back.
Many people are personally outraged and I am disappointed.
Some people might feel.. hey, aren’t we making a mountain out of a molehill? It could be that as a late-deafened person, he might be unfamiliar with the associations that wooden rulers have for many deaf people. And after all, he did rule the university for nineteen years.
Ordinarily I’d agree…. but not when it comes to Jordan. I feel it an reaffirmation that not only is he a ruler, but also an oppressor.
Jordan has a Ph.D in psychology and worked with deaf students for over 30 years. How can he not be aware of the role the wooden ruler played in many deaf schools? In classes in which countless discussions on aversion therapy, negative reinforcement and so forth are held, of course students will share their experiences. For heavens sake, I took a course in psychology under Jordan over twenty five years ago. In his class, we discussed positive and negative reinforcement along with the application of statistics to experiments. It is common knowledge that the lowly ruler was widely used as an instrument of punishment and oppression.
Surely with the profound knowledge he gained as a holder of a doctorate in Psychology, and after countless hours of discussions with deaf students, he would be sensitive enough to avoid using something so heavily laden with negative symbolism as the humble wooden ruler as a parting gift, especially after he himself faced many accusations of oppression and management by intimidation.
I personally feel he reiterated his position as an oppressive administrator with this choice of gift. It is very unfortunate he chooses to exit in this particular way, but it shows that he still doesn’t have healing in mind for the Gallaudet Community. A ruler does not symbolize healing.
So we look at Davila to start the healing process. I read the transcript of Davila’s speech and am inspired by the goals Davila listed for us, especially the concept of the whole Gallaudet Community working together as a team and his belief in shared governance.  As Holmes put it, Davila will start on the job, running full blast 
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
As most of you are already aware, Jordan had decided that his parting gift will be a custom-made 19-inch ruler with milestones recorded on the back.
Many people are personally outraged and I am disappointed.
Some people might feel.. hey, aren’t we making a mountain out of a molehill? It could be that as a late-deafened person, he might be unfamiliar with the associations that wooden rulers have for many deaf people. And after all, he did rule the university for nineteen years.
Ordinarily I’d agree…. but not when it comes to Jordan. I feel it an reaffirmation that not only is he a ruler, but also an oppressor.
Jordan has a Ph.D in psychology and worked with deaf students for over 30 years. How can he not be aware of the role the wooden ruler played in many deaf schools? In classes in which countless discussions on aversion therapy, negative reinforcement and so forth are held, of course students will share their experiences. For heavens sake, I took a course in psychology under Jordan over twenty five years ago. In his class, we discussed positive and negative reinforcement along with the application of statistics to experiments. It is common knowledge that the lowly ruler was widely used as an instrument of punishment and oppression.
Surely with the profound knowledge he gained as a holder of a doctorate in Psychology, and after countless hours of discussions with deaf students, he would be sensitive enough to avoid using something so heavily laden with negative symbolism as the humble wooden ruler as a parting gift, especially after he himself faced many accusations of oppression and management by intimidation.
I personally feel he reiterated his position as an oppressive administrator with this choice of gift. It is very unfortunate he chooses to exit in this particular way, but it shows that he still doesn’t have healing in mind for the Gallaudet Community. A ruler does not symbolize healing.
So we look at Davila to start the healing process. I read the transcript of Davila’s speech and am inspired by the goals Davila listed for us, especially the concept of the whole Gallaudet Community working together as a team and his belief in shared governance.  As Holmes put it, Davila will start on the job, running full blast
email contact: mishkazena@aol.com
December 14th, 2006 at 11:19 am
Geez, I had wasted a lot of my breath yesterday – it’s evident I’m just NOT good at explaining.
I think I know why – it comes from my own emotions, not from the big picture.
That’s what you did. Great job!
Yes, it’s really UNFORTUNATE that he didn’t put into much thoughts on the parting gifts.
I would. But hey, that’s me.
I am very, very, very excited for Dr. Davila AND Gallaudet!!
Everything happens for a reason!!
Let’s not forget about our dear protesters, people!
We’ve got a lot of work to do!!
Hoppy holidays!
xo
Iam
(Yes, I said “hoppy” – i’m hopping around ’cause I’m so excited!)