[blindlaw] RE federal ALJ exam

[Elizabeth Rene]

Just a word about politicization of federal jobs, the ALJ exam in 
particular.

The Internet reading I did brought some attention to previous criticism of 
the ALJ exam for this reason.  Apparently the OPM has recognized this flaw 
and has tried to address it in developing the current test.  But we all know 
we live in a political world.

The question I want to raise is this.  And maybe I have more than one 
question.

Isn't the NFB a political organization?  Aren't we a civil rights movement? 
Don't we have some clout with Congress?  Aren't federal agencies trying to 
up their quotas of employees with disabilities (yes, pardon the Q word)?

But there are some deeper questions too.  As lawyers, and able lawyers, what 
are we doing sitting on our hands and complaining about the privileges of 
others with better connections?  Who better than an able lawyer is able to 
make political or corporate connections?  Isn't that supposed to be part of 
our skill set?

So we're blind lawyers and part of a vastly underemployed minority.  So what 
are we doing with our time and talent?

And isn't it better to land a good job, or to have had a good run for the 
money, than to have lived and died with a good excuse on our lips?

Other people have overcome prejudice, disability, family dysfunction, and 
their own self-doubt.  Just listen to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

I made political connections in my 20s through the Minnesota Women's 
Political Caucus and in criminal justice circles by writing an exposé on 
conditions in the county jail when I didn't have a clue about what I was 
doing.  I was the blind daughter of laborers with eighth grade educations 
who thought I was too big for myself.  That was before law school.

My point is that we have to stop blaming our blindness, the unfairness of 
the world, our own weaknesses, and anything  else and go for what we want. 
No one else will do it for us.  And if you think this sounds self-righteous, 
know that I got kicked flat by the prejudice in the church that I loved and 
have taken a long, long time to stand up again.

But one has to stand up.

Sure, there'll always be someone better skilled or better connected who may 
beat us.  But the ones who never get a chance are the ones who never try.

Sorry for the diatribe.

And best to all,

Elizabeth