[blparent] This American Life and positive images of

[Deborah Kent Stein]

I have the awful feeling that Mr. Knighton is deliberately exploiting the 
public's negative stereotypes about blind people in order to advance himself 
as an author and stand-up comic.  He couldn't possibly be as helpless as he 
claims to be, but he tells stories that make people laugh, and they seem to 
go for it.  True ineptness is sad but forgivable; exploitation of a bad 
situation for personal gain is another story.

Debbie


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 3:11 PM
Subject: [blparent] This American Life and positive images of


> Okay, this is just stupid, sorry. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, or
> sighted person, to find their way around a hotel room. I see no reason
> why it would be a problem to contact anyone about the ridiculousness of
> this portrayal. Mr. Knighton sounds like an ignorant baffoon who didn't
> believe it necessary to actually learn things instead of bumbling his
> way through life as portrayed by the controversial cartoon Mr. Magoo.
> It's not even a matter of training or differing philosophies; to not be
> able to find your way around a hotel room is just plain stupidity. And
> what representation of blindness, and really humanity, is portrayed by
> this guy? I am totally blind and have never, never struggled with the
> "things" Mr. Knighton says he did. It has nothing to do with blindness
> and everything to do with a perception amplified by a bumbling idiot who
> probably has no place speaking for parents or blind people.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog at:
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 11:18:22 -0700
> From: Lisamaria Martinez <lmartinez217 at gmail.com>
> To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [blparent] This American Life and positive images of
> blindness and blind parenting in the media
> Message-ID:
>
> <CAKa0n1ByC+QjF0jA9ZxmdKP1LtVURZicnGjWOHLcVR_iA7rg3A at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> I'm forwarding this email from a friend of mine who posted to the NfBC
> listserv. I thought it relevant to blind parenting. I believe, too, we
> had a discussion about this a few months ago although I have to admit I
> didn't read the thread.
>
> LM
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>
> Hello.  Last Thursday, my partner and I went to see the 2012
> edition of This American Life in theaters, to be rebroadcast on Tuesday
> May 15, 2012 in a theater near you.  The show begins with a story from
> Ryan
> Knighton, a blind Canadian author, relating how he got lost in his
> hotel
> room and was unable to find the telephone and so was unable to call his
> wife.  After this 10 minute introduction, the show begins and Knighton
> appears live in the New York theater, where he relates another story
> about how he became afraid that he and his daughter were going to be
> eaten by a bear only to discover that his daughter was upset because she
> dropped her teddy bear.
> I am concerned that this portrayal of blind folks in the media
> grossly misrepresents our capabilities and reinforces stereotypical
> images about how well we are able to travel in the world, and, more
> importantly, care for and raise our children safely and responsibly.
> I am thinking of writing a letter to the folks at This American
> Life, but before I do, I'd like other NFB members  to see this show and
> provide feedback as to whether you think I'm off the mark by feeling
> concerned by this piece of popular media.  As an organization of the
> Blind, I feel it is important for us to be fair, balanced and reasonable
> in our descriptions of issues we have with images of blind people in the
> Media.  In other words, I do not want to come off as a person who has no
> tolerance for views of other blind folks that doesn't match my own, and
> I want to try and explain, in a reasonable manner, why it is that these
> descriptions of blindness in daily life are harmful and detramental to
> the success of blind folks around the nation.  I encourage you to go see
> the show on Tuesday the 15th of May and let me know if you agree that
> these portrayals of blindness are of concern. The experiences Ryan
> relates about his life may be entirely reasonable for him, but I think
> it is important for the folks at This American Life to understand that
> these experiences are not representative  of blind people everywhere.  I
> do not have children of my own, but I know many blind people who do, and
> they have raised them safely with dignity and success. Yes, humorous
> things happen to blind people and humorous things happen to people with
> children, but in my view, the stories he relates, and the manner in
> which he relates them do not express the idea that blind people can, and
> do, successfully raise children on their own every day.
> If you see this show, and disagree with my concerns, please let
> me know so I may understand how it is that I have totally misunderstood
> the messages these segments convey.  Feel free to write me and let me
> know your thoughts.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Brian Buhrow
>
>
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