[Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?

[David Evans]

Dear Ray,

How about a banquet speech instead.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Foret Jr" <rforetjr at att.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 1:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?


> Somehow, I see a monitor article coming out of this.  Thoughts Gary?  Or, 
> am I being presumptuous?
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> Facebook:
> facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1
>
> On Mar 4, 2011, at 11:48 AM, Bernadetta Pracon wrote:
>
>> Hi Everyone:
>> While I agree with the opinion that we  should probably refrain from 
>> using inflammatory phrases or words based on the fact that this list is 
>> publicly archived, I see another side to this argument. Sure, most people 
>> who don't normally encounter those of us who are   blind or visually 
>> impaired are not going to know very much about how we live day to day. 
>> They  will most likely have some   preconceived assumptions about us. But 
>> just because they do not know much about blindness does not mean we have 
>> to acquiesse to their ignorance. Of course, we can't verbally beat them 
>> up for assuming things about us, and we should educate where necessary, 
>> but we are allowed to have our rants now and then. Especially when the 
>> comments and assumptions made about us are overly ignorant and in a way, 
>> almost insulting. In many cases, these people are well meaning, and they 
>> are not conscious that their assumptions are rediculous to us, and with a 
>> little bit of education they get on the right track.
>> However, a comment such as "who bathes you", said from one grown man to 
>> another, not to mention a doctor, is sort of inexcusable. It's the kind 
>> of question a child would ask, because they really didn't know any 
>> better. Someone educated to be a doctor should most certainly know 
>> better. Therefore, I think we can allow ourselves a little leeway 
>> regarding etiquette under the circumstance.
>> And look at it this way: If a sighted person does see a message on this 
>> topic with the word "idiot" in it, they might just wake up to the fact 
>> that blind people aren't angels who won't flinch under the weight of 
>> insult and ignorance. I say this not to be a radical snob, but because I 
>> realize that sometimes, sighted people expect us to be docile, 
>> well-behaved people due to our disibility, and it's not welcome or 
>> expected of us to express  our feelings of shock and  ridicule. If they 
>> see a little rant now and then as a response to something ignorant that 
>> was said, it might just make us appear a little more human. Of course, 
>> it's a given to us that we are every bit as human as our sighted 
>> counterparts, but our response to this sort of thing might just make that 
>> point come across a little more clearly.
>> Now, I am not at all suggesting we throw away all inhibitions and start 
>> writing posts that are dirogatory. We shouldn't go around calling people 
>> names such as idiot and the like. That's not right, and it doesn't 
>> accomplish anything. That being said, I have to admit against my better 
>> judgement, that sometimes, they just plain ask for it.
>>
>> On a lighter note:
>> I think that Marion's response to the doctor was witty and clever. 
>> Definitely better than if he had called him an idiot. lol
>>
>> Just my two cents guys. Sorry for the somewhat lengthy post.
>>
>> All Best,
>> Bernadetta
>>
>> -- 
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>>
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