Historic Diploma Victory for Black Deaf Students from Segregated School
Gallaudet University held a ceremony to award diplomas to 24 Black deaf students who were denied them more than six decades ago due to segregation. These students were part of a class-action lawsuit in 1952 that forced the only school for deaf children in Washington to accept Black students. Despite a court victory, they were treated differently from their White peers and were enrolled in a separate division. The ceremony not only acknowledged the injustice but shed light on a significant moment in American history. The university also issued an apology for perpetuating systemic marginalization and degradation.