[nabs-l] Blindness and other minorities

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Julie,

No, the discrimination faced by people of different races and
ethnicities, or gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc., is a
different type of discrimination that what people with disabilities
face. It also stems from different sources- usually this type of
discrimination grows out of hate as well as ignorance and fear of
differences. Disability is feared too, but the general idea, as you
state, is that many believe disabled people require constant assistance,
and disabled people are owed a debt by society because we lack equality.
It's not processed this way, but it stems from the perception that
disability equates to not being capable, less fortunate, inferior.

We can't place discriminatory behavior side by side when it comes to
disability and other issues like race or sexual orientation, but we do
share the fact that ignorance and antiquated perceptions perpetuate
ideas about people who are different. We can't try to make the issues
exactly the same and hold the same measurements, but we can understand
how ignorance cultivates an environment lacking education and
infromation providing people with the concept of true equality.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 4
Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011 23:40:03 -0600
From: Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Blindness vs. Other Minority Groups
Message-ID:
	
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Hi all.

I know this was mentioned a bit in previous messages, but I think the
big difference is the fact that sighted people believe that we are
always in need of help.  They take it as a matter of course that we are
helpless and can't do whatever it is by ourselves.  Now I am speaking
generally; I do not mean all sighted people.

I don't believe that other minority groups deal with this problem. White
people don't try to help African Americans with simple tasks without
asking them if they need it as sighted people often do to the blind.
When blind people refuse help or get annoyed when they are treated
differently, then the sighted people are offended when the blind speak
and advocate for themselves.

I actually think that educating complete strangers is easier than
educating people I know.  I have been called angry and prideful because
I refuse to allow people to grab my arm and propell me along, and I get
very frustrated with people who will not talk to me in favor of speaking
to my sighted friends.  It was said to me by a friend that I should just
deal with it and accept the help because it is easier that way.  I don't
even know if this person even understood how offensive that comment was
to me.

When I am in the middle of a situation where in I have to educate
someone, I try to handle it with firm politeness.  It helps to keep a
smile in place and explain it as though these things happen all the
time, which they do.  You can complain and rant to your friends later.
 :)

The other problem is that there really is a time and a place for
advocacy and education.  I am a performer, so I must walk on stage.  I
prefer to do this independently.  I am a singer, and I work with an
accompanist.  We have been working together for about five years.  She
knows that I will walk on stage on my own.  This weekend at a singing
competition I had to work with another accompanist.  This one thought it
necessary to grab my arm and stop me at my place in front of the piano
and try to turn me around to face the audience.  I was stuck.  I could
not give her a speach then and there of course, but I was afraid that it
would look bad that she was litterally trying to turn me around like I
didn't know which way to face on my own.

Unfortunately, even when I tried to explain it to her later, she did not
understand.  I have also taught my guide dog to stop when people grab my
arm.  This is actually quite fun.  The person trying to pull me along
will get annoyed and inquire as to why I am not moving.  When I explain
calmly that my dog stops when people try to guide me because it is her
job to guide me, and she does not need to compete with others, they
understand and don't get too offended.

This is a very interesting thread, and I've been enjoying reading about
all your thoughts and experiences.