[nabs-l] About the future of NABS and the NFB

Kirt Manwaring kirt.crazydude at gmail.com
Fri May 20 21:57:47 UTC 2011


Wait...that was Teddy Rosivelt.  I can't believe I said FDr.  But I
think you get my point.  *grin*

On 5/20/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
> Mike,
>   I don't mean to be crass, but so what?  Do we have to meet vitriol
> with vitriol, match them insult for insult?  I think not.  And we both
> know it's not the same world it used to be-even those who disagree
> with us usually take us seriously.  What's that famous aphorism from
> FDR?  Speak softly and carry a big stick?
>   Warmly,
> Kirt
>
> On 5/20/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> there were quite a few people on the call, most of them wished to
>> listen (which is just fine), while  others elected to chime in.  Some
>> were affiliate presidents, some were state student division
>> presidents, and some were nabs board members.
>>   if some of them wish to  contribute what  discussions stood out to
>> them, that would be a good thing.
>>
>>  One thing thatI thought stood out is  the idea of taking  the  energy
>> of National/state convention and recreating that in our student
>> divisions.  If you have  ever gone to a convention, you find that
>> there is an  energy and excitement around  the event.  A good part of
>> that is the reunion factor, while alot of it is  the exchange of
>> ideas, the fellowship, the idea that we as blind people are  not alone
>> and at conventionit's brought into such a strong reality.
>>   We see people with canes and dogs dressed up and going to  various
>> meetings, seminars, events, fundraisers and banquet - that other blind
>> people with their canes and dogs  run themselves.
>>  I think this  is a  wonderful example of everything that we talk
>> about in practice, and  Hopefully, this should inspire us to  not just
>> talk about what we believe the truth is about blindness, but practice
>> it, not only around each other at convention and at chapter meetings,
>> but with each other in public.  This models blindness to the public
>> and to each other.
>>   That's something I remember, and  my little spin on  what I took from
>> it
>>
>> On 5/20/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Chris,
>>>   It's awesome you're on here.  You're a case study of why it's good
>>> for students to get on board while they're young.  Just out of
>>> curiosity, how were you introduced to the Federation?
>>>
>>> On 5/20/11, Âris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> I agree completely, Kirt! Great points!
>>>>
>>>>  Chris
>>>>
>>>> "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)
>>>>
>>>> --- Sent from my BrailleNote
>>>>
>>>>  ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> Date sent: Thu, 19 May 2011 19:57:10 -0600
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] About the future of NABS and the NFB
>>>>
>>>> Darian and all,
>>>>   I think sometimes we underestimate the role of vission
>>>> teachers.
>>>> (call them what you want-TVIs, teachers of blind students,
>>>> itinerate
>>>> teachers, whatever)  These are usually the people who give blind
>>>> students, and their parents, first impressions about blindness
>>>> and
>>>> thus they have a huge influence on whatever expectations a
>>>> student or
>>>> parent develops about what is possible as a blind person.  I
>>>> think we
>>>> need to put a lot more energy in to sincerely dialoguing with
>>>> these
>>>> teachers, especially the reasonable ones who don't agree with us
>>>> (I'm
>>>> not saying all teachers who disagree with us are reasonable), to
>>>> improve our image and the way we're presented to students.
>>>> Because my
>>>> state affiliate is pretty good at this, my TVI, although she
>>>> disagreed
>>>> with a lot of what the NFB does, didn't discourage me from coming
>>>> to
>>>> my own opinions and getting as much firsthand experience with the
>>>> Federation as I could.  Even those blindness professionals who
>>>> disagree with us can, if we present ourselves in a civil and
>>>> courteous
>>>> manner, direct students to our organization.  It happened with
>>>> me.
>>>>   Warmest regards,
>>>> Kirt
>>>>
>>>> On 5/19/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>  You know, one thing that I would like to add to this discussion
>>>> is
>>>>  the following  "what ideas would you  suggest to improve what
>>>> you may
>>>>  think needs improving?"
>>>>    I think it's  really easy for all of us to get into the  habit
>>>> of
>>>>  mentioning what isn't happening.  Sometimes, it's  not so much a
>>>> matter
>>>>   that no one is aware of an issue (sometimes, on the other hand,
>>>> this
>>>>  in fact may be the case), but suggestions on how to improve are
>>>> also
>>>>  very valuable.   Remember, we never roll out of bed with the
>>>> answers!
>>>>    Best,
>>>>    Darian
>>>>
>>>>  On 5/19/11, Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>  	I don't think we're doing enough with the
>>>> middleschool/elementary
>>>>  population.
>>>>  We need to get the message out faster,
>>>>  to the younger kids.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  On May 19, 2011, at 9:00 PM, dsmithnfb at gmail.com wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  Let's bring this conversation fourth.  What do people think
>>>> about this
>>>>  question?
>>>>
>>>>  Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>  On May 19, 2011, at 5:39 PM, "Tina Hansen" <th404 at comcast.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  I wanted to know what people felt about the future of the NFB,
>>>> and
>>>>  whether or not we're doing anything to address how to
>>>> communicate our
>>>>  message in a way that will reach people through new
>>>> technologies.
>>>>  Thanks.
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  --
>>>>  Darian Smith
>>>>  Skype: The_Blind_Truth
>>>>  Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
>>>>  Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
>>>>
>>>>  "The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
>>>>
>>>>  — Robert Byrne
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
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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
>>
>> "The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
>>
>> — Robert Byrne
>>
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>




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