[nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

Mon May 18 20:49:43 UTC 2009

Hello Angela and listers,

    Well as I said, "It was a miserable failure." No consensus on which 
direction the two groups should go, and a lack of open-mindedness 
(Particularly on the part of the RSVA) doomed the effort to its grave and 
today each organization still has its own organization for blind vendors. 
There would need to be serious soul searching and a change in philosophy and 
beliefs about the blind  for a merger of our's and their student 
organizations to be successful.

Peter Donahue

 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Angela fowler" <fowlers at syix.com>
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

Peter, what happened?
Thank all of you for the history lessons and other information. I've found
this discussion very informative.

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Peter Donahue
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 11:23 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

Good afternoon Angela and listers,

    The Randolph-Shepherd Vendors of America, (RSVA) the ACB'S organization
for blind vendors and the National Association of Blind Merchants considered
a merger a while back. It was a miserable failure.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message -----
From: "Angela fowler" <fowlers at syix.com>
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 10:47 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

When confronted with a proposal I hadn't first considered, I ask myself
"could it do any harm?" If it could, maybe we should back away from it, but
if it couldn't, we might as well try it.
Now, I don't see what harm a joint NFB-ACB convention could cause
either organization. As long as we don't concede any of those principals
which drive us toward self-sufficiency, I think the worst it could be is
unproductive.
Now I would have it be self-supporting. Have a fund raiser, or
several fund raisers, specifically for this project, and don't tap into the
general funds. Then you can run the project as you choose, and if it doesn't
work, no harm done.
I don't have much hope for an endeavor like this, I think the rancor
goes too deep, but hell, if you can do it and fund it, I'll never stand in
your way. You never know, it just might accomplish something.

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Aziza C
Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 6:31 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

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.

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.
Aziza

On 5/17/09, David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com> wrote:
> Jim:
>
> I think there are specific issues on which the NFB and ACB can agree
> and work together, but I think it is unrealistic to think we will ever
> combine.  First, the ACB was started by a group of people who
> disagreed with how the NFB was doing things.  Unless they say you were
> right after all and we were wrong, or unless the NFB says, your way is
> better, it just isn't going to happen.  Secondly, there are
> fundamental and basic differences between the two groups, what we
> believe, how we conduct our business etc.  That stuff isn't, and
> shouldn't go away.
>
> As I say, cooperation on specific issues can and should take place. but...
>
> The ACB exists to do things differently from the NFB.  If you take
> that away from them, there isn't much left.
>
> Dave
>
> At 03:34 PM 5/17/2009, you wrote:
>>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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