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

Fri May 20 22:43:03 UTC 2011

Darian,
  We talk less, we do more.

On 5/20/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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>>>>>>
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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
>
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