[nabs-l] [nfbWaTlk] class essay

[Jedi]

I never suggested we become the language police, only that we become aware of how our social image is and was created.

Respectfully Submitted

Sent from my iPhone

On 19/06/2011, at 7:16 PM, Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com> wrote:

> Jedi:
> With all due respect, how can language be a problem?
> 
> Now let me make it clear from the start, I understand your points, and they are well expressed.
> My problem with this is that, are we as a blind community going to try and get so politically correct about things?
> 
> Just think of it this way: "retarded" is now outlawed and you must call  someone "intellectually challenged."
> 
> I'm not saying what my position on that law is, but my argument is the following:
> there are those of us who are blind as in visual problems, yes of course.
> But there is also a mental blindness, e.g. not being able to see the truth in such case as those we call "blind faith".
> 
> And your use of the word "see" is a very example of this.
> I've noted some people have problems with "see" and try to use "hear" around me but I don't have a problem with it myself.
> 
> When I'm talking to friends, etc., I say "Nice to see you" and "see you soon/later."
> 
> Do I see them?
> 
> No, like I said, I'm totally blind.
> 
> But what do you expect us to say? If this is the social norm what do you expect us to say?
> "Nice to hear you" and "hear you soon/later?"
> 
> There is only so far that we can go in changing what it means to be blind and I think we'd much rather spend our energy on other things then language such as:
> -educating the sighted public threw roll models,
> -educating the children in schools about blindness and/or braille.
> (this is something I myself did, delivering an entire presentation on Braille last year at my middle school.)
> 
> And so much more we can do then changing language.
> 
> And now that I think of it:
> to add one more thing to this discussion,
> do black have problems being called blacks,
> or latinos latinos?
> 
> Sure, there is a difference between the metaphorical blindness and the physical one, but are we really going to be so picky as to start crying discrimination with language!
> 
> Has any other group--and there are many, ever put out a claim like this?
>