[Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?

Fri Mar 4 19:46:16 UTC 2011

Hi All,

I think these are some excellent points. I think that everything has its place, including education of the sighted public, and I don't mean to imply that we should just throw that out the window. But come on, guys, this is the 21st century.  Think about it. If people were making these disparaging comments and asking these condescending questions on the basis of our races, our national origins, our genders, our religious affiliations, we wouldn't be required to educate! It would simply be unacceptable. And... for a doctor to get through medical school with that level of stupidity is simply inexcusable.

I mean, education is all well and good, and people who have always had sight and then suddenly have to learn to live without it, most definitely need education. But when does the obligation to educate give way to the right to be respected?
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

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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ray Foret Jr
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 2:09 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?

Yeah, Dr. Maurer would just love this one. 
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 12:54 PM, David Evans wrote:

> 
> 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 tra
 ck.
>>> 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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