[nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

[T. Joseph Carter]

Jedi,

I'll add only that both versions of the history appear to be 
accurate, or close enough to it.  The composite effect is a tit for 
tat sort of escalation with one major systemic cause: Two factions 
were fighting for control of the organization.  The challengers were 
unable to wrest control from those in power.  The factions' various 
political alliances result in a large number of proximate causes for 
the split from racism to term limits, and everything in between.

Joseph


On Sun, May 17, 2009 at 11:48:45PM -0400, Jedi wrote:
> Jim,
>
> There is some long history between the NfB and ACB. It's not just about  
> disagreements on philosophy even though philosophical differences  
> certainly set the two organizations culturally apart.
>
> The first members of the ACB split from the NFB mostly because of  
> political banter. said individuals thought that Jacobus tenBroek and  
> others were dominating the organization. Certainly, they had a right to  
> their views, and they certainly had a right to leave. Unfortunately,  
> these individuals went about voicing their opinions in all the wrong  
> ways possible including undermining the organizational structure and  
> creating a lot of bad feelings between people who would otherwise be 
> friends.
>
> In the sixties and seventies, the NFB was under siege by agencies  
> serving the blind. these agencies were staffed by well-connected people  
> with a lot of money and a lot of power, but not a lot of positive  
> philosophies and knowledge about the blind. These agencies often  
> subordinated the blind through threats and bad dealings. The NFB called  
> these folks out, and the agencies used the ACB like an ever-loving meat  
> shield to say "See Federation! Not all blind people agree with you!"  
> Naturally, it was much easier for the aCB just to go along with things  
> because they were still angry with the NfB over past political issues.  
> And certainly, they weren't going to put themselves in the line of fire.
>
> Fast-forward to NAC. I don't know what you know about NAC, but it was  
> bad bombin'. Once again, the aCB never called NAC out, but we did. Once  
> again, NAC spoke of professionalism in services to the blind. Instead,  
> blind folks got left with a raw deal, threats to their livelihoods and  
> well-being (even their health in some cases), and all kinds of things. A 
> couple folks from ACB and a few other folks with a grudge against Dr.  
> Jernigan even brought the FBI to the Jernigans' and Maurers' doors on  
> trumped up charges of keeping weapons and possibly starting some kind of 
> military effort. It was insane. People were getting death threats and the 
> whole bit. Remind me to tell the story of my own state affiliate's 
> frustrations with the ACB sometime.
>
> This isn't to say that the ACB is all evil and the NFB perfectly  
> innocent. I wasn't there to know everything. But from what I read and  
> have observed in current ACB/NFB behavior, there's good reason for a  
> split in the organizations. At this point, we can certainly say that  
> there are key factors in philosopy that separate the organizations to  
> the point where nothing good would ever get done because the two parties 
> would be constantly feuding. Better live and let live. Both  
> organizations have compiled their versions of history if you want these  
> facts for yourself.
>
> Respectfully,
> Jedi
> Original message:
>> Terri and Arielle,
>
>> I just wanted to let you both know that one of the members of MABS is  
>> also VP of the National Student Division of the ACB. He is adamatly  
>> opposed to the (bordering on childish) feud that exist beteen the two  
>> organizations.
>
>> I am wondering if we can't use this oppertunity to somehow begin  
>> bringing the two organizations back together. After all, we will be  
>> then next generation leading these two organizations, and if we can  
>> sieze this oppertunity, maybe we students can set the example for the  
>> "adults" within the two national organizations.
>
>> I wonder if a join NABS/ACB student convention would be just the  
>> solution to begin ending this conflict?
>
>> Thoughts?
>> Jim
>
>> Homer Simpson's brain: "Use reverse psychology."
>>  Homer: "Oh, that sounds too complicated."
>>  Homer's brain: "Okay, don't use reverse psychology."
>>  Homer: "Okay, I will!"
>
>
>
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