[Blindtlk] What is Federationism?

[Chris Nusbaum]

I agree, Eric.  I don't understand all this political bickering 
between NFB and ACB, as if one organization is working to promote 
the independence of the blind and the other isn't.  In fact one 
of the NFB songs tells ACB to go straight to...  well, you get 
the point.  All the ACB is is another organization working for 
the common good of the blind.  They may have some different 
ideas, but neither is good nor bad.  I have always been kind of a 
reluctant member of the Federation.  By the way, I'm an at-large 
member of NFB-MD.  I completely agreed with the NFB's work for 
independence, but I didn't really like the dogmatic approach some 
Federationists take to issues: my way (the NFB way) is the only 
way, and ACB...  well, they're just wrong.  No, no, no! For a 
long time, I thought that this approach was part of the NFB 
philosophy, and therefore was reluctant to really be active in 
the Federation.  I didn't want to support that one-size-fits-all 
view of all things blindness.  Now that I've spent much time on 
the NFB site, listening to Dr.  Maurer and Dr.  Jernigan's words, 
I know this is not the real NFB philosophy, but only an extreme 
interpretation of it that some members take.  That's really why I 
want to become more active, now that I know that by doing so, I 
wouldn't also be supporting a one-size-fits-all, narrow-minded 
approach to everything related to blindness.  When I joined this 
list, I was a little afraid to talk about these opinions of the 
NFB approach to some issues, and their arguing with the ACB and 
AFB, being that this is an NFB list which supports the NFB 
philosophy, which I thought might mean the list members supported 
this dogmatic approach as well.  But I'm glad most of you have 
open minds and feel the same as me.  Now that I've said all of 
this, I wonder if this email will ever really get posted to the 
list, being that we're a monitored list, monitored by the NFB 
higher-ups.  So, do you approve this one...  huh, Dave? * Smile!

Chris Nusbaum

"A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)

--- Sent from my Braille-Note

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Eric Calhoun <eric at pmpmail.com
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Wed, 4 May 2011 14:08:32 -0500
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] What is Federationism?

Chris, like you, I have never been that active in the Federation, 
but I can
tell you some things I've learned:

** If you believe in a cause, try and collaborate in others, who 
share
it.

** Put your money, where your mouth is.  If you don't have a 
Chapter in
your area, please consider joining one.  If you do not have a 
Chapter in
your area, please consider (1) founding one, or (2) being an 
at-large
member.

** Membership has its privileges.  When I joined the San Fernando 
Valley
Chapter, I was able to interact with other Federationists, some 
of whom are
close friends of mine.  My privileges were: selling cookies, 
going to White
Cane Safety Day functions, and acquiring a First-Timers' 
scholarship to the
1997 New Orleans Convention.

Finally,

** It is okay to disagree with someone, but disagree agreeably.  
In my
struggles with NFB, I, myself, do agree, with the Federation on 
issues like
braille literacy, independence, and being an advocate for 
oneself.  But do
I need an NFB Training Center to further my skills?  No, I am 
capable with
the skills I have.

I, soon, will be an at-large member of my NFB-Calif.  affiliate, 
sometime
as early as June or July.  Do I think Federationism is bad?  No.  
Do I
think NFB and ACB can still work together?  Yes.

Eric
.. ..  Eric from Los Angeles with the baseball list: 
eric at pmpmail.com.
Also on Facebook

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