Deaf President Now! Documentary Revisits 1988 Gallaudet University Protest

The documentary "Deaf President Now!" chronicles the 1988 student-led protest at Gallaudet University, the world's only university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, against the appointment of Elisabeth Zinser, a hearing candidate unfamiliar with American Sign Language, as president. The movement, led by four students—Greg Hlibok, Tim Rarus, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, and Jerry Covell—demanded Zinser's resignation, the hiring of a deaf president, the resignation of the board chair Jane Spilman, and protection for protestors, leading to the appointment of Dr. I. King Jordan, the university's first deaf president. Directed by Deaf filmmaker Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim, the film uses archival footage, reenactments, and interviews with the key activists to depict the internal dynamics of the protest and the broader fight for Deaf representation and inclusion. The documentary highlights the personal and collective defiance of the Deaf community, emphasizing the significance of self-representation and the movement's influence on disability rights, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. While the film portrays the Deaf community's diversity and challenges, some critiques note that contemporary documentary conventions somewhat dilute the power of this pivotal historical moment. Scheduled for release on Apple TV+, "Deaf President Now!" serves as both a historical recount and a timely reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and recognition within marginalized communities.