[nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

Tue May 19 01:37:25 UTC 2009

Angela and all,
Yes members of each group may have good cordial
relationships.  I am one of them.  I find I have more in common with the 
members than
I have differences.  On matters of difference, I don't discuss it and agree 
to disagree.
Having relationships to hang out, go out to eat, go to movies, etc is one 
thing but
to say they join together is another.  Organizations that have opposing 
priorities cannot work together.  Organizations that have differing 
philosophies cannot work together.  I can have friends of both groups just 
as I can have friends of differing religions or politics.  I don't discuss 
these passionate disagreements as to not cause a fight or hurt feelings.

Both groups agree on some legislative ideas and for those I think we can and 
should work together.  For instance we agree on the hybread car problem as 
well as nonvisual access to voter machines.  We agree that websites and 
internet email should be accessible.  I think ACB and NFB sued AOL jointly 
for accessibility.

I would be supportive of a joint activity such as an
employment seminar.  This activity would
be a sort of non denominational thing where blind and visually impaired 
consumers of ACB, NFB or neither
group would come together to learn and network and make new blind friends. 
But I don't support a merger.
I have gotten some tips for living, networking, and socialization from both 
groups.  Yep I have attended ACB events and meetings. You might have guessed 
that.
Both groups have meetings at restaurants and its fun to socialize and 
network over a three course meal.
Its a great place to get jaws questions answered, find out about jobs, 
adapting to recreation activities or descriptive video.  Many alternative 
techniques are the same.  They read braille or have menus read to them, use 
canes and use screen readers/magnification.  Both groups have members that 
seem well functioning with jobs and have adjusted to being blind.  A big 
difference I see in northern VA is ACB members don't have a defined 
philosophy and this is not infused in the meeting.  They are a low key laid 
back group.  NOVA ACB has a social committee which plans for accessible 
tours, trips to described movies/plays, walks, and more.  Recently they set 
up two tours of museums in DC.  NFB on the other hand is serious.  The tone 
of the meeting is more strict.
Members are friendly but not laid back. They don't discuss social events 
because that is not the purpose of the meeting.  Instead I hear about NFB 
scholarships, planning to fundraise and convention.
So those are some of my observations about the local chapters of nfb and 
ACB.
I contend that we can have joint activities if both parties agree but 
certainly no merger.  Religious groups do this too.  Christians have non 
denominational retreats and outreach events.
Differences are hidden and they focus on common goals.  But after the short 
event they go back to their separate churches and worship in their own 
style.

Finally I did not mean to be judgemental.  But I think some of us young 
people don't know the history.  I need to learn more myself.  I don't know 
enough.
I just think that an idea to merge is so unreal that's its niave.
Will the Palistenians and Isralelies resolve differences and stop fighting? 
I think not since this hatred is entrenched in history.  I wish there were 
peace in the Middle East though.
Will the western and eastern ideals stop clashing?  I think not because we 
have opposite views on lifestyle sometimes.

Ashley

----- 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 7:06 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

> Ashley, I think to say that folks are naive and unaware of the history
> between NFB and ACB is a hasty unfounded remark which fails to take into
> account two things.
> First, you said yourself that rank and file members of these
> organizations often have good cordial relationships. The project which is
> being discussed is a grass-roots project which at this point has nothing 
> to
> do with the leadership of either organization.
> Second, no one here has failed to acknowledge the history. Aziza,
> Jim and the other proponents of this project are just as well aware of it 
> as
> you and I are. What they are saying is that younger members of the NFB and
> ACB were not around for the bitterest battles in the '60's and '70's, and
> may be able to be brought together.
> Let's discuss the proposal on the bases of merit, and keep our hasty
> judgments about people's since of realism or knowledge of the 
> organizations'
> history out of it!
> With respect
> Angela
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf
> Of Ashley Bramlett
> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 3:44 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud
>
> Aziza,
> The ACB hates the nfb.  The leadership has different goals and priorities.
> Also different philosophies.  Rank and file members of NFB often get along
> as aquaintances with ACB and vise versa.  However we are too unlike.  We 
> are
> best kept separate.  If you or anyone thinks we should merge successfully,
> you are niave and do not know the history.  Why don't you read the version
> of history of each group?  The ACB is People of Vision.  The nfb is 
> Walking
> alone and Marching Together.
>
>
> Ashley
>
>
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