[Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the Dark"
Aziza Cano
daydreamingncolor at gmail.com
Sat Mar 13 08:04:46 UTC 2010
This is true, however, Steve is entitled to his thoughts and oppinions, he
has probably dealt with his own fair share of blindness related struggles.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Constance Canode" <satin-bear at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 4:22 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the Dark"
> You know guys and ladies, I have worked in the medical field for over 30
> years. It is amazing all of the wonderful transplants that they are able
> to perform. The pity is that they can't do a brain transplant. I can
> think of a person or two who would benefit from it. Steve, your attitude
> is absolutely appalling to me. I don't know you and I won't say any more,
> but most of us have had to work our butts off for what we have and nothing
> is easy unless we get extremely lucky.
>
> Connie Canode
> At 04:12 AM 3/12/2010, you wrote:
>>Can you ever say that again. My floor loves me because I keep it nice and
>>clean!!!
>>Sincerely,
>>The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>
>>E-Mail:
>>rforetjr at comcast dot net
>>
>>On Mar 12, 2010, at 12:31 AM, Gloria Whipple wrote:
>>
>> > Ray,
>> >
>> > Your floor would probably listen to you better than Steve.
>> >
>> > What a crappy attitude!
>> >
>> >
>> > Gloria Whipple
>> > Corrisponding secretary
>> > Inland Empire chapter
>> > nfb of WA
>> >
>> > cell number: 509-475-4993
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> > On
>> > Behalf Of Ray Foret jr
>> > Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 5:59 PM
>> > To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining
>> in the Dark"
>> >
>> > Okay, how about you give me a straight answer instead of what you
>> > actually
>> > said. YOu know as well as I do that it's attitudes like yours that do
>> > us
>> > more damage than anything. Yes, whether or not you admit it, it
>> really does
>> > come down to what the sighted think of us. But, I'm done talking to
>> > you.
>> > Obviously, I'd make more progress talking to my floor.
>> >
>> >
>> > Sincerely,
>> > The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>> >
>> > E-Mail:
>> > rforetjr at comcast dot net
>> >
>> > On Mar 11, 2010, at 7:38 PM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
>> >
>> >> Please don't blame it all on the attitudes of sighted individuals.
>> >> This
>> > is not completely correct. You are being simplistic concerning this
>> > employment matter. It is so easy to take the easy way out of the
>> > issues
>> > concerning blind individuals and employment. There many factors
>> to discuss.
>> >>
>> >> Steve
>> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ray Foret jr"
>> >> <rforetjr at comcast.net>
>> >> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> >> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 6:36 PM
>> >> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> > Dark"
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> Steve, you need to understand that attitudes about blind people such
>> >>> as
>> > are indicated in that article are the reasons why we can't get jobs.
>> > It's
>> > blind people like you who help foster those attitudes and give us more
>> > work
>> > to do. Maybe you've had it easy all your life; but, I'll have
>> you know that
>> > too many of us haven't. Why don't you give us a break and start
>> > helping us
>> > instead of putting out how much better you are than the rest of us. IF
>> > you
>> > have better ideas than the rest of us, why don't you tell us what they
>> > are?
>> > In the mean time, we've got to carry you on our backs and do your work
>> > for
>> > you because you won't.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> Sincerely,
>> >>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>> >>>
>> >>> E-Mail:
>> >>> rforetjr at comcast dot net
>> >>>
>> >>> On Mar 11, 2010, at 3:44 PM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>> Give me a break, it is not. I'm blind and I'm not offended. You
>> >>>> people
>> > need to find something more serious to worry about i.e., our president
>> > running the economy into the ditch!Steve
>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Graves, Diane"
>> >>>> <dgraves at icrc.IN.gov>
>> >>>> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> >>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:48 PM
>> >>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in
>> >>>> the
>> > Dark"
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>> Why not? It is exactly the same type of prejudicial attitude. The
>> >>>>> only
>> > difference is that, when it is directed at the blind, it is disguised
>> > and
>> > dripping with pity and unwanted sympathy and patronization.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> It is bias, prejudice, and discriminatory, No matter what the
>> >>>>> intent
>> > is. We should definitely go down the "race road." It is the same thing.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Diane Graves
>> >>>>> Civil Rights Specialist
>> >>>>> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
>> >>>>> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
>> >>>>> 317-232-2647
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> "It is service that measures success."
>> >>>>> George Washington Carver
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain
>> > confidential and/or legally privileged information intended only for
>> > the
>> > individual or entity(ies)
>> >>>>> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient,
>> >>>>> be
>> > advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or
>> > acting
>> > in reliance
>> >>>>> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you
>> >>>>> have
>> > received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to
>> > arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission.
>> > Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>>>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>> [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> > On Behalf Of Steve P. Deeley
>> >>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:21 PM
>> >>>>> To: Gary Wunder; Blind Talk Mailing List
>> >>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in
>> >>>>> the
>> > Dark"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> I believe the writer of that letter sounds very angry. That, also,
>> > turns
>> >>>>> sighted individuals off. Let's not go down the race road for our
>> > examples.
>> >>>>> Steve
>> >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Wunder"
>> > <gwunder at earthlink.net>
>> >>>>> To: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>; "Blind Talk Mailing
>> >>>>> List"
>> >>>>> <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> >>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 1:57 PM
>> >>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in
>> >>>>> the
>> > Dark"
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> You should be able to get it mailed to your e-mail address on file
>> >>>>>> by
>> >>>>>> pressing pound 9.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> Gary
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marion Gwizdala"
>> > <blind411 at verizon.net>
>> >>>>>> To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> >>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:54 AM
>> >>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> > Dark"
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Dear All,
>> >>>>>>> I tried to get a copy of the original article about which I wrote
>> > this
>> >>>>>>> letter to the editor; however, it was not available without
>> >>>>>>> paying a
>> > fee.
>> >>>>>>> The article can be accessed by going to NFB-Newsline and
>> >>>>>>> selecting
>> > the
>> >>>>>>> St.Petersburg Times Metro section. If anyone can get access to
>> >>>>>>> this
>> >>>>>>> article, please send it to the list. Pasted below is my letter to
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> editor.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>> >>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> March 11, 2010
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> I am writing to comment on the article "Awareness Was the
>> > Main
>> >>>>>>> Course" by Laura Reiley that appeared in the March 10 Metro
>> >>>>>>> section
>> > of
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> St. Petersburg times. As a blind person, I often meet people who
>> >>>>>>> are
>> >>>>>>> amazed by the fact that I can perform even the simplest of tasks.
>> >>>>>>> Generally this attitude is based on their own experience
>> >>>>>>> attempting
>> > to
>> >>>>>>> perform the same task without eyesight and failing at it
>> >>>>>>> miserably.
>> > It is
>> >>>>>>> for this reason that most blind people are opposed to using the
>> >>>>>>> type
>> > of
>> >>>>>>> simulation exercises featured in this article. Blindfolding a
>> >>>>>>> sighted
>> >>>>>>> person and asking them to perform even a simple task does not, as
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> article purports, give a person any awareness of what the life of
>> >>>>>>> a
>> > blind
>> >>>>>>> person is like. In fact, such exercises only serve to reinforce
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> misconceptions and promulgate the myths about blindness that
>> >>>>>>> create
>> > the
>> >>>>>>> social, legal, and economic barriers that prevent us from
>> >>>>>>> achieving
>> > true
>> >>>>>>> equality with our sighted peers. Those of us who are blind have
>> > developed
>> >>>>>>> an array of non-visual techniques to perform activities of daily
>> > living,
>> >>>>>>> such as eating, just as effectively as sighted people do using
>> > eyesight.
>> >>>>>>> Blindfolding a sighted person and asking them to perform a task
>> >>>>>>> is
>> > like
>> >>>>>>> putting someone in the cockpit of a jetliner and telling them to
>> >>>>>>> fly!
>> >>>>>>> Lacking the proper skills, the results of both would be
>> >>>>>>> disastrous!
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> The real problem of blindness is not the lack of
>> >>>>>>> eyesight;
>> >>>>>>> rather it is the manner in which we are treated as the result of
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> misconceptions people have about blindness. If one really wants
>> >>>>>>> to
>> > find
>> >>>>>>> out what life is like for a blind person, there is no need to don
>> >>>>>>> a
>> >>>>>>> blindfold! All one needs to do is carry a white cane, the
>> > international
>> >>>>>>> symbol of blindness, and go about their everyday life. Then they
>> > would
>> >>>>>>> feel the crushing insults of public misperception that blind
>> >>>>>>> people,
>> >>>>>>> except for those few who are believed to be amazing and
>> > extraordinary,
>> >>>>>>> are
>> >>>>>>> innately ignorant and helpless. They would experience the
>> >>>>>>> waitress
>> > who
>> >>>>>>> asks a five year old what the blind adult wants to drink. They
>> >>>>>>> would
>> >>>>>>> encounter the librarian who admonishes them for going out alone,
>> >>>>>>> thus
>> >>>>>>> exposing them to the hazards of opening a door. They would be
>> > confronted
>> >>>>>>> by the Employer who inquires about who will bring them to work.
>> >>>>>>> They
>> >>>>>>> would
>> >>>>>>> learn that even well educated doctors are so ignorant as to ask
>> >>>>>>> them
>> > who
>> >>>>>>> bathes them! Though you might want to minimize these incidents
>> >>>>>>> away,
>> > they
>> >>>>>>> are examples of the type of ignorance I - and other blind
>> >>>>>>> people -
>> >>>>>>> encounter on a regular, almost daily, basis!
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> I am not asserting that eyesight is not beneficial nor
>> >>>>>>> that
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> work of the Foundation Fighting Blindness is not valuable. What
>> > concerns
>> >>>>>>> me is that organizations that assert they want to "serve the
>> >>>>>>> blind"
>> > do us
>> >>>>>>> such a disservice by reinforcing the public misconceptions and
>> >>>>>>> fears
>> > that
>> >>>>>>> create the problems we face. I am all for raising money to cure
>> > retinal
>> >>>>>>> degenerative diseases, especially since the condition that has
>> >>>>>>> caused
>> > my
>> >>>>>>> blindness, that of my 14-year-old nephew , and several other
>> >>>>>>> members
>> > of
>> >>>>>>> my
>> >>>>>>> family is retinitis Pigmentosa. I am, however, opposed to
>> >>>>>>> creating
>> > the
>> >>>>>>> type of fear and pity that results from blindfolding people for
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> purpose of raising money! Such a practice is as offensive to me
>> >>>>>>> as a
>> >>>>>>> black-faced minstrel would be to an African American! These
>> >>>>>>> misconceptions
>> >>>>>>> are the reason fewer than 10% of blind children are learning to
>> >>>>>>> read
>> > and
>> >>>>>>> write Braille, producing functionally illiterate blind adults.
>> >>>>>>> These
>> >>>>>>> fears
>> >>>>>>> and misconceptions are the reason that the unemployment rate
>> >>>>>>> among
>> > the
>> >>>>>>> blind is more than 70%!
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> The veracity of my concerns are supported by the numerous
>> >>>>>>> inaccurate statements made by the author who has bought into the
>> > false
>> >>>>>>> perceptions of the blind. Does she really believe that "other
>> >>>>>>> senses
>> > are
>> >>>>>>> heightened" by taking away one's sight or "; texture became
>> > paramount" as
>> >>>>>>> the result of simulated blindness? Does she really believe that
>> >>>>>>> blindfolding participants "gave all assembled a greater window
>> >>>>>>> into
>> > the
>> >>>>>>> world of the sightless"? Does she really believe that blind
>> >>>>>>> people go
>> >>>>>>> through life "bumbling" their ways around or did she just
>> > irresponsibly
>> >>>>>>> promulgate the pitiful stereotype in an effort to sell your
>> > newspapers
>> >>>>>>> like the Foundation Fighting Blindness did to sell themselves and
>> >>>>>>> selfishly generate revenue with no concern about the social
>> > consequences
>> >>>>>>> of their actions?
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> The belief that blind people are endowed with heightened
>> >>>>>>> senses
>> >>>>>>> and special powers is a myth. Blind people simply learn to use
>> >>>>>>> their
>> >>>>>>> other
>> >>>>>>> senses and alternative techniques to perform the tasks sighted
>> >>>>>>> people
>> > do
>> >>>>>>> with eyesight. Like any skill, these techniques are generally not
>> >>>>>>> acquired
>> >>>>>>> in a half-hour nor mysteriously and supernaturally endowed.
>> >>>>>>> However,
>> >>>>>>> these
>> >>>>>>> skills enable blind people to function independently,
>> >>>>>>> efficiently,
>> > and
>> >>>>>>> effectively. In fact, the average blind person can perform the
>> >>>>>>> same
>> > tasks
>> >>>>>>> as their sighted peers as well, if not better, by employing these
>> >>>>>>> alternative techniques. Our blindness is not the problem. The
>> >>>>>>> real
>> >>>>>>> problem
>> >>>>>>> of blindness is the misunderstanding and lack of information that
>> > exists.
>> >>>>>>> If a blind person is given proper training and opportunity,
>> >>>>>>> blindness
>> > is
>> >>>>>>> only a physical nuisance.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> In the future, when your paper is doing a story about
>> >>>>>>> blindness, it would be helpful to get accurate information and
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> perspective of a blind person who is qualified to speak to these
>> > issues
>> >>>>>>> by
>> >>>>>>> being chosen by the blind to speak on their behalf. The National
>> >>>>>>> Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest organization of
>> >>>>>>> the
>> >>>>>>> blind in the United States. We are not an organization that
>> >>>>>>> speaks on
>> >>>>>>> behalf of the blind; we are the blind speaking for ourselves. For
>> >>>>>>> accurate
>> >>>>>>> information about blindness or the blind, please feel free to get
>> >>>>>>> in
>> >>>>>>> touch
>> >>>>>>> with me or visit one of our websites at
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> HTTP://WWW.NFB.ORG
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Or
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> HTTP://WWW.NFB-NAGDU.ORG
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Respectfully yours,
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> 813-598-7161
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> President at NFB-NAGDU.ORG
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>> >>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> >>>>>>> for
>> >>>>>>> blindtlk:
>> >>>>>>>
>> >
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/gwunder%40earthlin
>> > k.net
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>> >>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
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>> >>>>>> for
>> >>>>>> blindtlk:
>> >>>>>>
>> >
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/stevep.deeley%40in
>> > sightbb.com
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> > ----
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> >>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> >>>>> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date:
>> > 03/11/10
>> >>>>> 07:33:00
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> _______________________________________________
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>> > blindtlk:
>> >>>>>
>> >
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/dgraves%40icrc.in.
>> > gov
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>> blindtlk mailing list
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>> > blindtlk:
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>> >
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/stevep.deeley%40in
>> > sightbb.com
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> > ----
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> >>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> >>>> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date:
>> >>>> 03/11/10
>> > 07:33:00
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> _______________________________________________
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>> > blindtlk:
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>> >
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/rforetjr%40comcast
>> > .net
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> _______________________________________________
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>> > blindtlk:
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>> >
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>> > sightbb.com
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> > ----
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> >> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date:
>> >> 03/11/10
>> > 07:33:00
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >
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>> > .net
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> >
>> >
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