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

Mon Dec 21 04:24:08 UTC 2009

Just curious. what would you say if you were in Robert's shoes?

Respectfully,
Jedi

Original message:
> 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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