[nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud

Tue May 19 23:41:41 UTC 2009

Ashley,
Doesn't the NFB have a philosophy about employment? It would be the same thing.
Aziza

On 5/19/09, Ashley  Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Aziza,
> An employment seminar and student seminar are very different.  I think an
> employment seminar targeted toward both groups or non affiliated consumers
> might work.
> Have you been to nfb student seminars?  If you have you know they are
> infused with
> nfb philosophy.  For instance several years ago I heard a pannel of Stacy,
> Arielle, and Brian speak about their experiences with classes, internships
> and community service.  All members spoke of the experience and touched on
> NFB philosophy, how they were changing what it means to be blind and hoping
> the next blind person would have a fair chance.  Stacy spoke of the
> discrimination in her horse riding class but stuck with it due to the high
> expectations and belief of the nfb.
> I hear students get up and preach about what they've done, high
> expectations, setting example and the attitude of changing what it means to
> be blind.
> If you want to see for yourself there are transcripts of some speeches in
> nfb publications and I can provide those links.
>
> This is partly why a joint student seminar will not work.
> An employment seminar on the other hand might work.  We could get outside
> speakers to give tips to benefit all including the sighted members of the
> organizations.  Topics like pros/cons of disclosing your blindness,
> interview techniques, cover letters, resumes and networking are just a few
> topics.  This seminar would not be so philosopically driven.
> Also there are logistical issues in getting a joint student seminar.  Of
> course there may be for the employment seminar.  Who would fund it?  I doubt
> the nabs nfb board.
> We would need a lot of hotel space to bring two groups together but the
> rates would have to be low enough for people to afford.
>
> Ashley
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Aziza C" <daydreamingncolor at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 9:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Ending the NFB/ACB feud
>
>
>>I don't think it's that simple Ashley. I think people need to take the
>> time to ask themselves if they want history to repeat itself, or if
>> we're willing to try. Trying won't hurt anyone. Besides, who said this
>> seminar Jim thought of would merge us? It could, but no one said it
>> would. What makes an employment seminar any better or different than a
>> student seminar?
>> Aziza
>>
>> On 5/18/09, Ashley  Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> 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
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/fowlers%40syix.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>>>
>>>> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
>>>> signature database 4085 (20090519) __________
>>>>
>>>> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.eset.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/daydreamingncolor%40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>
>> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
>> signature database 4086 (20090519) __________
>>
>> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>>
>> http://www.eset.com
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/daydreamingncolor%40gmail.com
>