[Blindtlk] What is Federationism?

[Nikki Wunderlich]

I am not a registered NFB or ACB person. I don't really belong to either
organization. I just help where I can. I've only been to one NFB convention,
and and I've never been to an ACB convention. I would like to learn more
about both agencies before steadfastly joining one or the other. But as it
stands I am on lists for both groups, because I'm not sure which group fits
me and my beliefs better. 

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 5:15 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] What is Federationism?

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.
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