[nabs-l] NFB/ACB

[Jim Reed]

Aziza, 

Well said. The older folks currently running these organizations have it ingrained in them to hate the other division. There is no need for that. All it really does is waste time, money, resources, and energy fighting amongt ourselfs, when that time, energy, money and resources could be better spent fighting discrimination or working to better the lives of blind people.

It is widely recognized by sociologist and governemts that if government wants to impart change in society, the best place to start is with the children, as they will internalize what they learn, then pass it along to their parents. Consider "Smokey the Bear", Smokey certianly isn't trying to teach adults about forest fires.

Additionally, student organization have a better chance of bridging the gap because we don't have the baggage preventing us from working with the other side. Furthermore, there are new members such as myself who have no history in this conflict, thus no reason to prepetuate it. I have no affiliation with the ACB, but if I am in a conversation,  and the conversation turns anti-ACB, I will remove myself from that conversation. There is no reason for me to listen to that and no reason for me to develop an unwarranted bias against a group of individuals I have never met.

I am not saying a joint student convention will solve any or all of our issues, but it could eb a good first step. If it goes well, we students let time (and the circle of life) remove the baggage between these organizations, and we atart anew. Unlike the current leadership, time is on our side.

Last, the NFB is not innocent in prepetuating this conflict. The fact that Dave Anderws said, "The ACB exists to do things differently from the NFB.  If you take that away from them, there isn't much left." speaks volumes to me about the nature of this conflict; because the ACB is different, they are inferior? Isn't that the same type of biggotry that we are trying to fight in society regarding blindness?

Just a thought
Jim

I agree with Jim. And I think that some need to stop saying that it
just won't happen if one doesn't give up. It isn't about who is right
and who is wrong, it's about who is willing to set aside our
differences, come together and work together. We are all blind
afterall. Besides, those who started the ACB, are not going to be
running the ACB in the future. Us students, in both groups, will be in
charge in the future. Students can relate to each other, and can be
open minded if they choose to be. The older generation tends to stick
to their ways. Although a joint student meeting will not resolve the
problems, it "could," be the step to resolving the problems. Jim never
said it would work, simply that it could, and I think it is worth a
try.
Aziza

Jim, I was personally thinking of doing something similar with my
small student group from the Channel Islands Chapter, I would be
interested in your ideas.

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!"