[Blindtlk] [nabs-l] why is it important to join an organization ofthe blind?

[Chris Nusbaum]

Here's a good response I got on the topic we are currently 
discussing from Sean Whalen, the President of the National 
Association of Blind Students (NABS,) via our list:

 ---- Original Message ------
From: "Sean Whalen" <smwhalenpsp at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] why is it important to join an organization 
ofthe	blind?
Date sent: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:12:43 -0600

I don't think anybody is trying to force beliefs on people, and I 
really
don't see what is "creepy" about the question or topic.  I think 
it is each
individual's prerogative to join any organization that represents 
their
interest, or none at all.  It seems pretty clear to me though 
that the lives
of all blind individual's have been demonstrably improved by the 
existence
of the NFB, which, of course, wouldn't exist without "joiners."



Belonging to an organization does not mean that one endorses 
everything that
organization does, nor does it mean that an individual has a 
particular set
of beliefs.  It simply means that one sees enough benefit in the 
organization
and its work to decide to support it.  I don't agree with the NFB 
on
everything, nor do I agree with the Democratic party on 
everything,
nonetheless I count myself as a member of each.  If somebody 
thinks that
dictates my thoughts and beliefs, they would be wrong.  My 
thoughts and
beliefs dictate which organizations I choose to join, support and 
work for.



As to the ridiculous notion that sighted folks don't have 
organizations,
they surely do.  There are organizations for virtually every 
interest under
the sun.  Trade groups, unions, interest groups aligned around 
political and
public policy issues of all stripes exist to unify the voices of 
folks with
common interests.  That is the way our system of government, and 
indeed the
world in general, works.  Refusal to join with others with 
similar interests
is acceptance of having no voice on issues that affect you.  That 
is, by the
way, completely fine.  Some folks don't have any interests 
pressing enough to
give up their time, money and resources to attempt to influence 
outcomes,
but their lack of interest in doing so doesn't somehow equate to 
moral high
ground.  Of course there is no National Association of the 
Sighted, but this
reflects the fact that the vast majority of people are sighted.  
There is no
issue there around which to rally.  You had better bet that if 
half the
population were sighted and the other half blind, and if the 
interests of
the sighted and blind clashed in any meaningful way, the sighted 
and blind
alike would have organizations to allow them to speak with one 
voice an
issues of import.



In addition to being a vehicle for collective action, the NFB is 
an extended
network of support.  It is extremely valuable to have folks to 
consult with
when faced with an issue related to blindness.  It keeps each of 
us from
having to reinvent the wheel each time something new comes up.  
This, of
course, is a model not at all unique to the blind.  There are 
analogous
networks for people in certain trades, with particular diseases, 
or with
similar interests and hobbies.  Nearly anywhere you find a 
diffuse and
relatively small group of people in similar circumstances or in 
need of
similar information, you will find an attempt at a support 
network like that
which we enjoy in the NFB.



So, lest anybody buy into the line that says those who join the 
NFB, or any
other organization, are mindless automatons without their own 
beliefs,
opinions and convictions, please remember that organizing to 
share
information and influence events in the world in which we live is 
in no way
unique to the blind.  If people don't want to join anything, and 
blind people
in particular don't want to join NFB or ACB, that is 100% 
alright.  But let's
not accept the misguided notion that their refusal to do so is 
rooted in
some moral superiority, rugged individualism or strength of 
conviction.  A
refusal to be a "joiner" simply indicates that a person has other 
things
going on in their lives which are more important to them.  Again, 
a.ok, but
never doubt the value of the work done by the organized blind 
movement.  Even
those who have never given a thought to involving themselves, 
presumably,
are grateful when social services doesn't take their babies, they 
have the
opportunity to attain meaningful employment, and their rights to 
travel and
participate in society are protected.



Sean

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