[nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

Mon May 18 19:48:51 UTC 2009

If you want to see an example of why the joining of these two institutions
is unlikely, read the archives of the oregon-l list run by the ACB for today
and about a month ago.
Bill

On Mon, May 18, 2009 at 1:06 PM, Peter Donahue <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> Hello Scott and listers,
>
>    Just understand that this project is a kin to destroying and rebuilding
> the Hoover Dam. There's years and years of concrete to move without being
> berried in it.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott Spaulding" <spaulding.scott at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 10:25 AM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud
>
>
> You have the right attitude as far as I'm concerned.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Aziza C <daydreamingncolor at gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 12:18 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud
>
> Jedi,
> I understand the historical problems between the two organizations,
> but I still do not understand why some NFB members are unwilling to
> try this out.
>
> This may be a far fetched example, but here goes nothing. Blind people
> were once put away because we were different, never saw the classroom,
> or the work force. Someone wanted to change that, so he made Braille
> for all of us to read, from there things picked up, and even now we
> make progress. There is a long history betwenen blind and sighted
> individuals, philosophically, politically and others, and yet, we
> strive to make ammends, teach, compromise, understand and be
> understood. If we can do this with the sighted, why not attempt to
> with our own kind... other blind individuals?
>
> It does not hurt to try.
>
> Aziza
> P.S. Thank you for that explanation, it did answer some of my
> questions about the fued it self.
>
> On 5/17/09, Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net> 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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