[nabs-l] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed

[Alberto Arreola]

No if I were in his place I would defend my self.  What I ment by that's a
fact of life is that there are people that have that belief and even though
they would be proven wrong they most possibly would still to support that
belief.

I would be very angry if a man would tell me that just because I'm blind I
can't marry his daughter.  I can tell you this my parents are from Mexico
and in the area they are from people almost never encounter a blind person,
and when they meet me and see what I'm capable of it is hard for them to
grasp it.

I'm sorry that that was taken out of context I should have explained myself
better.

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jedi
Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 5:37 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed

Is that what you'd say to yourself if you were in Robert's shoes? What 
if you really loved that woman? Would you be willing to simply stay 
seated and say "That's just a fact of life?" The Blacks didn't say that 
when they were forbidden to take the front seat in buses. What would 
have happened if Jews and Jewish sympathizers used the same logic to 
stand still during the Holocaust?

Respectfully,
Jedi


Original message:
> Just one of the facts of life.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf
> Of Teal Bloodworth
> Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 11:45 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed

> Thats not fair...i understand that people dont do well with things they do
> not understand but we see everything and just have a different perception
> and a different way of aproaching the action of " seeing. "

>         Teal
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
> To: "nfbnabs" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 9:38 AM
> Subject: [nabs-l] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed


>> NABS
>> RE:  The Cursed

>> Here is my #152nd THOUGHT PROVOKER. It is a study in how various
religious
>> factions will view the blind; from near sainthood to being cursed. If you
>> have not read the PROVOKER, it follows.  Recall that I collect responses
>> and
>> post them upon my web site for all the WWW to read and learn from and
that
>> URL is- Http://thoughtprovoker.info <http://thoughtprovoker.info/>   If
>> you
>> wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS sent directly to you, just write me and
>> ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net



>> THOUGHT PROVOKER 152
>> The Cursed

>> "Hi, I'm Robert. Your accent, if I am reading it correctly, places you
>> from
>> somewhere in the Middle East?"

>> The attractive dusky-skinned, dark-haired woman looked quizzically at the
>> guy approaching. He was about her age, nice looking, using a long white
>> cane. She had first noticed him upon her arrival in the hotel lobby, and
>> later in the registration line and reception area for those attending the
>> two-day conference. He had impressed her with his poise as he maneuvered
>> about independently, responding charmingly as he dealt with the awkward
>> reception his presence sometimes elicited. Without hesitation, she spoke
>> up,
>> "Hello, and, yes. To put a finger or two on the map, Cairo originally,
but
>> most recently, right here in Philly. My name is Dara --- I'm the only one
>> sitting in this row." A realization was blossoming within her; this guy's
>> disability didn't make her feel uncomfortable.

>> Anticipation fueling his every stride, Robert moved into the row. He
>> hadn't
>> expected such a provocative seatmate at a conference where he knew there
>> wouldn't be anyone he'd know. Her voice is so beautiful, he thought.
>> Feeling at ease and maybe too much so, he couldn't believe his next
words,
>> "Well, guess I'll sit by you and fill up the row so it's just ours."

>> They didn't have the entire row to themselves. Yet throughout the
>> morning's
>> presentations, they indulged in periodic soft-spoken exchanges.  Some
>> concerning the information being presented, some purely personal, and
>> sometimes, sharing some stifled laughter.

>> At the end of the morning session, they decided to have lunch together.
>> Later, they had dinner, then the next morning, breakfast, and then lunch
>> again. The conference was over at 4:00 PM.

>> "I've got to see you again. How about tomorrow lunch or dinner
somewhere?"
>> Robert asked.

>> "Yes, me too. Ah --- how about you come over to my apartment and I make
>> dinner --- you bring a refreshment."

>> "Yes!"

>> The night of their date, dinner finished, with more wine, soft music, and
>> a
>> deep lingering kiss, Dara said, "I once heard that it was very
>> disconcerting
>> to look into a blind person's eyes. But ah --- being this close and
>> looking
>> --- I'm not sure I know what they are referring to."

>> "Well I'm told --- good art work on non-scratch plastic like I have, can
>> work miracles."

>> "Ha! Oh Robert my dear man," Dara snuggled closer, "you are so full of
>> surprises and delights. I must tell you that I feel that I am falling in
>> love with you. "Fingertips caressing his cheek,  "Before we get more
>> serious, we must go to my father. He must meet and pass his judgment on
my
>> choice."

>> "Woo, You mean we have to get your father's permission to fall in love?"

>> "No, it's not that way. I have my own heart and feelings. I respect you
>> for
>> who you are, my dear. Just that, my father is the --- head of the family.
>> It
>> is the way within my culture. The man oversees the affairs of the family.
>> You will like him. He is a generous, loving, and God fearing man. And his
>> being judgmental; well --- it goes along with the position "

>> The day came for their trip to Dara's family home and her introduction of
>> Robert to her father came. Her mother served them tea and sweets. They
>> talked, drank tea, talked some more, and though her family were very
>> polite,
>> they were nevertheless very curious about how this blind man lived.

>> After dinner, in her father's study, Dara and Robert spoke of their
>> feelings
>> for one another. And her father answered. "My dear daughter, I do not
give
>> my permission. Let me make this very clear, Robert, though you are a fine
>> fellow, I must oppose this marriage. I do not want my daughter to be
fated
>> to the life she would have to live if she is betrothed to you. You are
>> blind, a condition which greatly, how should I say it --- blindness
>> severely
>> impacts your life--you are stigmatized; you have reduced independence
and,
>> therefore, your prospects to financially care for my daughter are
>> handicapped. No. I forbid this union. You are one of God's cursed."


>> Robert Leslie Newman
>> Email- newmanrl at cox.net
>> THOUGHT PROVOKER Website-
>> Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info

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