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

Darian Smith dsmithnfb at gmail.com
Fri May 20 23:05:29 UTC 2011 

Makes sense to me  :)

On 5/20/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
> Darian,
>   Good questions, to be sure.  I think what it boils down to is are we
> competing on terms of equality in the sighted world?  In other words,
> if we're employed or actively seeking employment training (and I'm not
> judging those blind people who are unemployed through no fault of
> their own), and if we're doing it in the way everyone else does, going
> to school and working in the public, people will notice if we do it
> well.  That's the best way to atract interested people-a blind person
> may approach you and say "where'd you get that confidence?", a TVI may
> seek you out and ask how you're doing what your're doing, etc.  In
> other words, we live Federationism by example and those interested in
> learning more will see we're different because we see ourselves as
> regular people who happen to be blind.
>   I'm not saying we don't advertise-I'm just saying our lifestyles and
> our confidence and our work in the sighted world should be our biggest
> advertisement.
>   Hope that clarifies,
> Kirt
>
> On 5/20/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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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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>>>>>>>>> ydude%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
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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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>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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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

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