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

Fri May 20 22:50:32 UTC 2011

Kirt,
  absolutely, but in what ways, how can  weencourage  ourselves to
talk less and do more? and what does that "do more" look like ?

On 5/20/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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>
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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