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

Fri May 20 22:29:53 UTC 2011

How do we communicate this message to the students we come acrossin
our lives,  camps, schools and the like?

On 5/20/11, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
> You're right. My point is that those who are suspicious of us may view what
> we say as vitriolic though we don't mean it so simply by virtue of the
> radicality of our message. If you view blindness as a tragedy, denying this
> belief is blasphemy.
>
> Mike Freeman
> sent from my iPhone
>
>
> On May 20, 2011, at 14:55, 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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>>>>
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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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-- 
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