[nabs-l] Helen Keller - the activest?

Sun Oct 3 04:20:20 UTC 2010

Joe,
  I get the feeling from dr. Maurer that the organization's gradually
opening up and working with more people.  Perhaps not as much as I'd
like but, in the blind community specificly, I'd put the NFB under
Maurer right up with Ten Broek and Jernigan.  I honestly don't know
what Hellen Keller did in the realm of blindness particularly, other
than help found the AFB, but I think on a larger scale she's achieved
more than anyone focused primarily on blindness.  It's my
understanding that Hellen Keller's activism was much more politically
oriented and, from that standpoint, I don't think Ten Broek, Jernigan
or Maurer can compare.
  All the best,
Kirt

On 10/2/10, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:
> Serena,
>
> You raise some very good points.  I mostly disagree with you, but the point
> I would like to emphasize here is this notion about accommodations blind
> people might not need.  If blind people do not need them, they need not use
> them.  Blind people are about as diverse as anyone else in skill sets, and
> so what may not seem crucial to some may be critical to others.  Trust me, I
> have not always been so liberal in my blindness philosophy, but in the
> context of advocating for change, I would rather see blind people enjoy more
> benefits from collective action that helps a lot of people rather than
> independent strategies that may or may not yield results for many years to
> come.  Your point about fighting for blindness-specific agencies is a little
> more difficult to argue.  I've experienced both sides of that question, and
> I still don't have a solid position on it.
>
> Best,
>
> Joe
>
> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Serena Cucco
> Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 9:25 PM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the activest?
>
> Hi Darian,
>
> Be careful: Although the Civil Rights movement included many other
> disadvantaged groups, the reason why the NFB hesitates to join other
> disability movements is that some of our needs and special interests
> wouldn't be met.  E.G., wheelchair users' interest in making facilities
> accessible to them might make them have some accommodations that blind
> people might not need.  This is also the reason why the NFB
> always fights
> Congress about dismantling the state commissions for the blind
> and making
> one big agency for all disabilities.
>
> Serena
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Darian Smith
> Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 8:15 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the activest?
>
> To Desmond's point,  this may be true.  But what I   still get the
> sense of  is a organization that hesitates  a bit to work with other
> organizations to  further a  shared cause for fear that   our core
> beliefs get lost or overlooked in furthering that cause.
>  I tend to think that good leadership and a strong beliefin what you
> stand for  will best enable you to hold your ground in those
> situations and  make sure that what changes you want to see happen.
> Unless I am mistaken, the civil rights movement looked to include  the
> rights of many people.  besides it stands to reason that if you want
> to go after the biggest prize in a prize fight, you want to  pick up
> as many  fighting styles as possible- therefor making yourself more
> difficult to beat.
>
>
> On 10/2/10, Dezman Jackson <jackson.dezman at gmail.com> wrote:
>> However, I think the NFB is starting to form alliances with
> other groups
>> such as the case with the Reading Rights Coalition.
>>
>> Dezman
>>  ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Anmol Bhatia" <anmolpbhatia at yahoo.com>
>> To: <jsorozco at gmail.com>; "National Association of Blind
> Students mailing
>> list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 10:16 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the activest?
>>
>>
>>> Joe,
>>> I do agree that TenBroek was a incrediable person and
> brought blindness
> to
>>>
>>> where it is today, but I still think that Hellen Keller was alot more
>>> successful then Dr. TenBroek. Although I must confess that
> TenBroek is my
>>> favorite from Jernigan and Maurer. It was Dr. TenBroek who
> first  brought
>>> blind people as a strong force and forming a consumer
> organization like
>>> the NFB to represent blind people was a incrediable
> achievement in a erra
>>> before the instent communication that we are so use to
> today. Whats more
>>> increditable is what Dr. TenBroek achieved during the time when the
>>> attitude was that if you were blind you simply can not do
> anything for
>>> yourself. But there is a reason why Hellen Keller achieved
> the fame that
>>> Dr. TenBroek did not what do you think the reason was?
>>> Her potical beliefs may have been a little to ratical, but
> like you said
>>> we do not have to always agree with all the beliefs of great leaders.
>>> Whats important is the contributions that she made to the blind
> community.
>>> You are right that it would be better if we were to work more closely
> with
>>>
>>> other disability organizations instead of going at it alone
> and frankly
>>> since blind people are a large population of the disability
> community we
>>> would most likely achieve what we want for the blind
> community and maybe
>>> more. With our legislative leaders pressed for time and
> ceveral groups
>>> trying to fight for attention and government funds, going at
> it alone is
>>> not always the best policy.
>>> Just some of my thoughts.
>>> Anmol
>>>
>>> I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me
> sad. Perhaps
>>> there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a
> breeze
>>>
>>> among flowers.
>>> Hellen Keller
>>>
>>>
>>> --- On Sat, 10/2/10, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> From: Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the activest?
>>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Date: Saturday, October 2, 2010, 9:13 AM
>>>> Anmol,
>>>>
>>>> Really? I don't know about Maurer, but this is only
>>>> because so often it
>>>> takes years to appreciate the contributions of a
>>>> leader. I thought Jernigan
>>>> though had some good grassroots achievements.
>>>> TenBroek is still my favorite
>>>> guy, and as for Helen Keller, I finally read up on her
>>>> achievements and
>>>> agree she was a commendable figure. I don't know that
>>>> I completely agree
>>>> with her political philosophy, a little too socially
>>>> radical for my taste,
>>>> but helping to found the ACLU is a pretty huge deal in of
>>>> itself. You don't
>>>> have to agree with a leader's positions to acknowledge
>>>> their greatness. I
>>>> think that what strikes me about Helen Keller and Jacobus
>>>> tenBroek is how
>>>> they appeared to be a little more inclusive, a little more
>>>> willing to work
>>>> with other groups. Maurer loses major points for me
>>>> for reinforcing such an
>>>> isolationist approach in the disability community. I
>>>> believe it is possible
>>>> to maintain our core philosophy and still work with
>>>> coalitions to get things
>>>> accomplished. Take, for example, the recent
>>>> Twenty-first Century
>>>> Communications and Video Accessibility Act. I think
>>>> it's a pretty big deal,
>>>> and I wonder if we might not have been better off trying to
>>>> incorporate our
>>>> technology bill of rights into something like that rather
>>>> than going at it
>>>> alone. Here again though, I have to respect anyone
>>>> who voluntarily puts
>>>> themselves at the helm of any cause-oriented organization.
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>>
>>>> Joe
>>>>
>>>> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn
>>>> up their sleeves,
>>>> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at
>>>> all."--Sam Ewing
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>> On Behalf Of Anmol Bhatia
>>>> Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:52 AM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the activest?
>>>>
>>>> Hellen Killer did do alot for the blind community. The
>>>> thing
>>>> that stands out for me is what she overcame and achieved to
>>>> get
>>>> to where she got to. All that she accomplished. Yes she did
>>>> not
>>>> marry, but look famous she became. Consider the life that
>>>> blind
>>>> people were expected to achieve back then and she achieved
>>>> alot
>>>> more and as a result of her advocacy work and coming to
>>>> fame,
>>>> she has brought the somewhat possative attitude that
>>>> society
>>>> has about blindness today. However, she is just one
>>>> leader in
>>>> the history of blindness. Hellen Keller is one and another
>>>> one
>>>> is Louis Braille. Having said that I can not agree that Dr.
>>>>
>>>> Jernigan and Dr. more have done more for blindness
>>>> then Hellen Keller.
>>>> Anmol
>>>>
>>>> I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me
>>>>
>>>> sad. Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times;
>>>> but it
>>>> is vague, like a breeze among flowers.
>>>> Hellen Keller
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --- On Fri, 10/1/10, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> > From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>>>> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the activest?
>>>> > To: jsorozco at gmail.com,
>>>> "National Association of Blind
>>>> Students mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> > Date: Friday, October 1, 2010, 8:49 PM
>>>> > :) Anne's lost twin sister
>>>> > maybe?
>>>> > I've heard of Hellen Keller being an activist in a
>>>> > variety of
>>>> > different places- disability rights, advocating
>>>> socialism
>>>> > (I'll look
>>>> > this one up again but I'm pretty sure), and anti
>>>> world
>>>> > wars.
>>>> > So...yes, I'd consider her an activist. I don't
>>>> agree
>>>> > with everything
>>>> > she said, but her example of stepping forward and
>>>> speaking
>>>> > up is
>>>> > something I can respect and look up to.
>>>> > That being said, I also think that Doctors Ten
>>>> > Broek, Jernigan and
>>>> > Maurer have probably done more in the field of
>>>> blindness
>>>> > specificly.
>>>> > But I don't think that diminishes Hellen Keller or
>>>> Anne
>>>> > Sulivan in the
>>>> > slightest.
>>>> > Best regards,
>>>> > Kirt
>>>> >
>>>> > On 10/1/10, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com>
>>>> > wrote:
>>>> > > Who's Any Seliven?
>>>> > >
>>>> > > Joe
>>>> > >
>>>> > > "Hard work spotlights the character of people:
>>>> some
>>>> > turn up their sleeves,
>>>> > > some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up
>>>> at
>>>> > all."--Sam Ewing
>>>> > >
>>>> > > -----Original Message-----
>>>> > > From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> > > [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>> > On Behalf Of Beth
>>>> > > Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 8:13 PM
>>>> > > To: National Association of Blind Students
>>>> mailing
>>>> > list
>>>> > > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the
>>>> activest?
>>>> > >
>>>> > > You're right. Annie Sullivat proved something,
>>>> > but Helen needed a
>>>> > > time to shine.
>>>> > > Beth
>>>> > >
>>>> > > On 10/1/10, RJ Sandefur <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
>>>> > wrote:
>>>> > >> Give me a brake? Helen Keller did a lot for
>>>> the
>>>> > blind and
>>>> > > deaf comunity! Any
>>>> > >> Seliven was the Dr. Gernigan of her time! RJ
>>>> > >> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> > >> From: "Beth" <thebluesisloose at gmail.com>
>>>> > >> To: <jsorozco at gmail.com>;
>>>> > "National Association of Blind
>>>> > > Students mailing
>>>> > >> list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> > >> Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 4:31 PM
>>>> > >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the
>>>> > activest?
>>>> > >>
>>>> > >>
>>>> > >>> Helen Keller has always inspired me, but
>>>> then
>>>> > again, she had
>>>> > > a life that
>>>> > >>> was typical of a blind woman in her
>>>> > time. Since she was
>>>> > > also deaf, she
>>>> > >>> could not do much else in the society
>>>> she
>>>> > lived in. She was
>>>> > > told not to
>>>> > >>> marry and have children, so I've seen a
>>>> phrase
>>>> > "sexless
>>>> > > saint" describing
>>>> > >>> her. Where is that, anyone? I
>>>> > might be wrong.
>>>> > >>> Beth
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> > >>> From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com
>>>> > >>> To: "'National Association of Blind
>>>> Students
>>>> > mailing list'"
>>>> > >>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> > >>> Date sent: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:17:42
>>>> -0400
>>>> > >>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the
>>>> > activest?
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> I personally think ten'Broek was a
>>>> larger
>>>> > advocate and icon
>>>> > > in terms of
>>>> > >>> work
>>>> > >>> and results. I've always heard of
>>>> Helen
>>>> > Keller but could
>>>> > > honestly not
>>>> > >>> tell
>>>> > >>> you what she accomplished. I think I
>>>> > know more about Annie
>>>> > > Sullivan than
>>>> > >>> I
>>>> > >>> do Helen.
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> Joe
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> "Hard work spotlights the character of
>>>> people:
>>>> > some turn up
>>>> > > their sleeves,
>>>> > >>> some turn up their noses, and some don't
>>>> turn
>>>> > up at all."--Sam Ewing
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> > >>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> > >>> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>> > On Behalf Of Darian Smith
>>>> > >>> Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 1:20 PM
>>>> > >>> Subject: [nabs-l] Helen Keller - the
>>>> > activest?
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> greetings,
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> I was reading something and it
>>>> > sparked a question that I want to
>>>> > >>> pose to the list for some consideration
>>>> and
>>>> > conversation.
>>>> > >>> Helen Keller was considered a rather
>>>> > significant activest within the
>>>> > >>> disability community.
>>>> > >>> This being the case, I have two
>>>> questions:
>>>> > >>> 1. do you personally consider her an
>>>> activest/
>>>> > Advocate?
>>>> > >>> 2. what do we know to be the NFB's
>>>> > stance on this/her?
>>>> > >>> I pose this as two questions to get
>>>> your
>>>> > thoughts and to
>>>> > > get what you
>>>> > >>> understand to be the organizational point
>>>> of
>>>> > view.
>>>> > >>> thank you all for your consideration,
>>>> > >>> Darian
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> --
>>>> > >>> Darian Smith
>>>> > >>> Skype: The_Blind_Truth
>>>> > >>> Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
>>>> > >>> Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>> "We are not human beings having a
>>>> spiritual
>>>> > experience. We are
>>>> > >>> spiritual beings having a human
>>>> experience." -
>>>> > Teilhard de Chardin
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > >>>
>>>> > _______________________________________________
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>>>> > >>
>>>> > >>
>>>> > >>
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>
> --
> Darian Smith
> Skype: The_Blind_Truth
> Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
> Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
>
>
> "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are
> spiritual beings having a human experience." - Teilhard de Chardin
>
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