[nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

Tue May 19 15:22:59 UTC 2009

Hi Peter and all,

Peter and Nijat raise some great points about forming unaffiliated
groups. Just to clarify, I don't think these unaffiliated groups
should attempt to replace the local NFB and ACB chapters, but just
provide another avenue of support for those who don't want to join a
consumer organization, as well as an additional common ground for
blind people who are already members of either consumer group. I also
think it's just as important in unaffiliated groups as it is in
consumer groups to have competent leadership and clear goals for
existence. While these groups may or may not be affiliated with a
parent organization, they can and should still develop bylaws, a
democratic leadership structure and a concrete mission statement.

Arielle

On 5/19/09, Jess <jessica.trask.reagan at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dave and all,
> ACB is generally made up of older folks for the most part. Although when I
> was living in Utah the UCB did have a pretty strongly organized student
> affiliate. Of which I was involved in.
> Jessica
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:24 AM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud
>
>
>> As I said in another message, we offered in early 90's, they refused.
>>
>> I was at the ACB national convention a couple years ago, and it was
>> sparsely attended -- when compared to NFB convention, some of the meetings
>>
>> I attended were not well organized, exhibits were not strong and not
>> staffed by companies strongest people, and I heard my share of ranting
>> against NFB, and why ACB was better.  Finally, there were very few
>> students and young people noticeably so.  About all the ACB has is
>> opposition to the NFB, and it doesn't mean anything to younger
>> generations, so they aren't attracting members.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> At 11:18 PM 5/17/2009, you wrote:
>>>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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