[nabs-l] National Federation of the Blind Comments on Saturday Night Live Segment

Sat Dec 20 18:02:02 UTC 2008

Then dont' wobble your head.

Beth wrote:
> You're right, but I'd rather not be made fun of for my mild head
> wobbling and my blindness.  I'd rather be the one makig fun of the
> others.
> Beth
> 
> On 12/16/08, Corbb O'Connor <corbbo at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On a lighter side, did anybody else notice that the press release did
>> not "condemn and deplore" the actions? Note that the leadership is
>> only "disappointed" with the sketch. I'm glad that our press releases
>> and organizational resolutions have gotten over that...at least for
>> now...:grin:
>>
>> Corbb
>>
>>
>> On Dec 16, 2008, at 8:27 AM, Sarah Jevnikar wrote:
>>
>> I'm sorry to post a second time on the same topic, but here is my issue:
>> we're not being made fun of on the same level as the sighted people on
>> shows
>> like this. If stumbling around was something Gov Paterson actually
>> did, then
>> that makes sense to use that as a trademark to make him instantly
>> recognizable on comedic shows like SNL. But since he doesn't, why use
>> it? If
>> he squints, sure, use that too if you want, but surely he wouldn't
>> hold up a
>> piece of paper upside down unless he's proved himself to be incompetent
>> enough to do that whether he could see properly or not. So blast blind
>> people identically as you would the sighted, but don't make their
>> blindness
>> part of the sketch as something that could detract from their
>> competency,
>> unless they have clearly demonstrated that it does.
>> Thank you for reading this.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Linda Stover
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:14 AM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] National Federation of the Blind Comments on
>> SaturdayNight Live Segment
>>
>> Jo,
>>
>> I couldn't agree more with your remarks.  We are constantly demanding
>> to be treated as equal citizens; in this instance, our demand has been
>> met.  We are considered equal enough to be paridyed, taking it in the
>> spirit of gest and humor, not a serious attack on the blind
>> population.
>>
>> I also agree with you about the NFB's publicity quota; I think we all
>> know the fairytale of the little boy who cried wolf.  I'm afraid that
>> if we as an organization continue to be this sensitive about very
>> minor things, no one will give our words due consideration when a
>> serious matter of discrimination does arise.
>> Courtney
>>
>> On 12/15/08, Jessica Kostiw <jessicac.kostiw at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I first heard of this a few minutes ago when my Mom saw it was
>>> coming up
>> on
>>> CNN.  It was clearly making fun of blindness and I am very happy
>>> that the
>>> NFB has taken a stand, and so quickly.  Disgusting!
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Beth" <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 2:20 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] National Federation of the Blind Comments on
>>> SaturdayNight Live Segment
>>>
>>>
>>> Ijust watched CNN and they said something about this segment of SNL.
>>> I don't watch SLNL, but I support Paterson, and someday I want to be
>>> Governor, so there's no excuse for attacking Gov. Paerson for any
>>> reason.
>>> Beth
>>>
>>> On 12/15/08, Freeh, Jessica <JFreeh at nfb.org> wrote:
>>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> CONTACT:
>>>>
>>>> Chris Danielsen
>>>>
>>>> Public Relations Specialist
>>>>
>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>
>>>> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>>>>
>>>> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>>>>
>>>> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>> Comments on Saturday Night Live Segment
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Largest Organization of the Blind Criticizes Attack on Blind
>>>> Americans
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Baltimore, Maryland (December 15, 2008): Chris
>>>> Danielsen, spokesman for the National Federation
>>>> of the Blind, said: "The biggest problem faced by
>>>> blind people is not blindness itself, but the
>>>> stereotypes held by the general public about
>>>> blindness and blind people.  The idea that blind
>>>> people are incapable of the simplest tasks and
>>>> are perpetually disoriented and befuddled is
>>>> absolutely wrong.  This misconception contributes
>>>> to an unemployment rate among blind people that
>>>> stubbornly remains at 70 percent.  That is why
>>>> the National Federation of the Blind is
>>>> disappointed that Saturday Night Live chose to
>>>> portray Governor Paterson in a comedy routine
>>>> that focused almost exclusively on his
>>>> blindness.  Attacking the Governor because he is
>>>> blind is an attack on all blind Americans-blind
>>>> children, blind adults, blind seniors, and newly
>>>> blinded veterans returning from Iraq and
>>>> Afghanistan.  The National Federation of the
>>>> Blind urges the producers of Saturday Night Live
>>>> to consider the serious negative impact that
>>>> misinformation and stereotypes have on blind
>>>> people before continuing in this unfortunate vein of humor."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ###
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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