Gallaudet University, a renowned institution catering to deaf and hard-of-hearing students, made history as it held a momentous graduation ceremony to honor 24 Black deaf students and four Black teachers who had experienced segregation during their time at the university. The ceremony took place on Saturday in Washington, D.C., as a gesture of recognition and apology for the unjust treatment these individuals endured.
In a heartfelt press release, Gallaudet University revealed that the event aimed to commemorate the students who attended the Kendall School Division II for Negroes on the Gallaudet campus during the early 1950s. At the ceremony, each of the 24 students, along with their descendants, was presented with high school diplomas, finally recognizing their achievements and acknowledging the discrimination they faced.
According to CBS News, the occasion was made even more poignant as five out of the six living students were present at the graduation ceremony, surrounded by their families, who came to witness this long-awaited moment of recognition.
Gallaudet University Marks "Kendall 24 Day"
Gallaudet University declared July 22 "Kendall 24 Day," accompanied by a Board of Trustees proclamation expressing remorse for the university's historical role in perpetuating inequity against Black and deaf students. The proclamation went on to apologize to each of the 24 students by name, acknowledging the systemic marginalization and injustice they endured.
The Kendall School, which was part of Gallaudet University, originally enrolled and educated Black students as early as 1898. However, due to complaints from White parents who were opposed to the integration of races, Black deaf students were forcibly transferred to segregated schools outside of the university campus, thus eliminating their presence at Kendall School.
In 1952, Louise B. Miller, a hearing mother of three deaf children, initiated a legal battle after her eldest son Kenneth was denied entry into the school solely because of his race. Miller and the parents of four other Black Deaf children eventually won the civil lawsuit against the District of Columbia Board of Education, granting Black deaf students the right to attend Kendall School.
A Step Towards Inclusivity and Equality
Despite the court ruling, Gallaudet University chose not to integrate Black deaf students into Kendall School directly but instead built a segregated Kendall School on its campus, providing fewer resources and opportunities compared to the integrated counterpart.
Following the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, Kendall School Division II for Negroes was closed, allowing Black students to finally attend school alongside their White deaf peers.
During the recent ceremony, Gallaudet University also announced the dedication of a memorial, the Louise B. Miller Pathways and Gardens: A Legacy to Black Deaf Children, as a space for reflection and healing to honor all those who fought for equality for Black Deaf children.
Roberta J. Cordano, president of Gallaudet University, emphasized the significance of the day, recognizing it as an overdue celebration and a crucial step toward healing. While the ceremony cannot erase the past harms and injustices endured by these individuals, it serves as a testament to the university's commitment to recognizing and addressing its historical mistakes while paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Related Article : Mississippi Transgender Girl Barred from Graduation; Judge Rules School Can Ban Gender-Identity Clothes
