[nabs-l] Future of the NFB

[Jedi]

I hadn't given that much thought (i.e. means or an end). I definitely 
agree that we could classify the NFB philosophy as a means rather than 
an end unto itself. But I wonder about other cultures? Don't other 
cultures provide us a blueprint for how to live our lives as well? 
Would they then also be a means to living rather than an end unto themselves?

Respectfully Submitted

Original message:
> Probably so.  One of the things that the NFB teaches us is how to
> think of ourselves as blind persons, how to relate to the sighted
> public, how to handle those things that happen to us as blind persons
> -- on a daily basis, etc.  In addition, there are shared values,
> approaches, and just how we do things in the NFB.  I suppose all of
> that is a culture.  But, for most of us, it is a means to an end, not
> the end itself.  If we are to active in elevating it to a culture,
> then maybe it becomes the end itself.

> Dave

> At 01:51 PM 3/13/2011, you wrote:
>> David,

>> Is it possible to have our cake and eat it too? In other words, do
>> you think it's possible to have an NFB culture and still integrate
>> into the greater society?

>> Respectfully,
>> Jedi

>> Original message:
>>>  From what I know, many people in the deaf community believe there is
>>> a "deaf culture" and are active in nurturing and protecting it.  In
>>> the NFB, one of our goals is to integrate blind persons into society,
>>> so we are consequently going to be less interested in creating,
>>> nurturing, or protecting a blind culture.  It may or may not exist --
>>> it depends on how you define it, and who you ask.

>>> David Andrews

>>> At 01:30 PM 3/13/2011, you wrote:
>>>> Kirt,



>>>> I don't think you miss the mark at all, and I think to dismiss your
>>>> eminently reasonable point of view with some blanket statements about
>>>> culture is a bit presumptuous. I am not at all familiar with the
>>>> anthropological body of work on the question, but I would be willing to bet
>>>> that there are at least some respected opinions in opposition to those which
>>>> Jedi has put forth. I couldn't tell you  a damn thing about
>>>> intersectionality, but I can tell you that it is by no means an accepted
>>>> fact that there is an "NFB culture." I, frankly, don't even believe that
>>>> there is such a thing as a blindness culture, though that is perhaps a
>>>> somewhat easier proposition for which to argue.



>>>> NFB is just an organization of individuals, with their own individual
>>>> opinions, that must reach common statements of policy and position. Yes,
>>>> there are some core beliefs that most members build their own personal
>>>> philosophies around, and, yes, that is, to my mind, a good thing. But the
>>>> idea that NFB membership is either such a central component of, or so
>>>> all-encompassingly pertinent to, my life and life goals that I identify
>>>> fellow members as people with whom I share a common culture simply doesn't
>>>> hold true. And that is coming from an individual who happens to spend a lot
>>>> of time and effort on the NFB. Do I share a culture with those who share my
>>>> commitment to social justice? Proponents of religious pluralism and
>>>> tolerance? Disabled folks in general? Green Bay Packer fans? University of
>>>> Wisconsin graduates? Lawyers and wanna be lawyers? I don't think so. Common
>>>> values alone do not entail common cultures. Nor do common beliefs,
>>>> traditions, or interests.



>>>> Again, when I use the word "culture' I use it in the commonly understood and
>>>> widely accepted sense of the word. I don't dispute that there may exist some
>>>> anthropological or sociological conceptions of culture that might be so
>>>> broad as to include NFB membership as a culturally defining characteristic.
>>>> I would just posit that those definitions are not terribly useful in talking
>>>> about the real world, and would be curious as to how many distinct cultures
>>>> one can belong to without severely limiting the threshold of importance or
>>>> prominence in one's life a "cultural identity" must reach to be considered
>>>> in any way instructive about a person.



>>>> All the best,



>>>> Sean



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