Student strikes at Gallaudet University starting March 9, 1988 revolutionized the perception and education of Deaf
culture. Deaf students were outraged at the selection of another hearing president, after a long line of university
presidents who were hearing. Calling it patronizing, marginalizing, and inappropriate for such an essential part of the Deaf
community, they demanded a Deaf president for the university. After less than a week of activism the president-elect, who had
also been criticized for malapropos statements about the functionality of deaf people, resigned and was replaced by a deaf
president. These strikes became known as a movement called
Deaf
President Now (DPN).