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

Mon Dec 21 05:25:45 UTC 2009

I do not know that much about different religions, but I am not sure that 
women can do that in certain religions, at least not without getting into 
serious trouble.  This is a very interesting problem; two different issues 
are getting intertwined.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Beth" <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 7:39 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #152- The Cursed

> Good points there, Jedi.  I would never say that if I were in Robert's
> shoes.  But think if I were in Dara's shoes.  If my dad forbade me
> from marrying a man because he was blind and I was sighted, I'd
> probably say, "I'm sorry, but the logic you are using is purely
> religious and completely uneducated and untrue."
> Beth
>
> On 12/20/09, Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net> wrote:
>> 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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>
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