[nabs-l] Blindness and other minorities

[Carly]

Hellow, Don't you see a supposed democracy is one 
confined strictly, to the plane of the page? All 
this crap is only a reality on paper!01:52 PM 11/12/2011, Jedi wrote:
>Actually Chris, what we have is a representative 
>democracy. You're right. We do elect 
>representatives to speak on our behalf and make 
>some decisions on our behalf. But in a 
>representative democracy, the bottom line still 
>rests with the people. At least, in theory. 
>What's happened is that politicians have, to a 
>great extent, stopped listening to their 
>constituents and have started to pay more 
>attention to their own interests and the 
>interests of those who have the greatest 
>influence in their ability to stay in office. So 
>far is inequality is concerned, we still have it 
>because we still support it regardless of what 
>our moral compases say we should support or what 
>we think we support. In other words, we're not 
>always congruent with our values. Either that, 
>or we're not terribly truthful with ourselves 
>about what our values really are. My guess is that it's some measure of both.
>
>Respectfully,
>Jedi
>
>Original message:
>>Hi Ashley and Bridgit,
>
>>Let me point out that although there is still discrimination and
>>inequality in America, it's not, in my opinion, because our
>>"democracy" is flawed; we don't have a democracy! We have a
>>Republic for a system of government, which is different from a
>>Democratic form of government.  The difference is that in a true
>>democracy, the country is ruled by the people as a collective,
>>all-powerful group.  In other words, it is what some would call
>>"mob rule." This historically has caused riots and chaos, which
>>usually leads to the end of whatever country tried it.  As a
>>republic, we have representatives who are sent to represent the
>>people in our government.  We then vote for who we think would be
>>best to represent us.  So, the discrimination and inequality
>>isn't because of our system of government, in my opinion.
>
>>Chris
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net
>>To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>><nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>Date sent: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 14:54:56 -0400
>>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Blindness and other minorities
>
>>Bridget,
>>Well said.  I agree there is discrimination and not enough
>>equality.  And
>>other minorities are fighting for  the same thing.
>
>>However, I will do my part to participate in the democracy we
>>have, even
>>though it’s a flawed one.  I'm voting next tuesday!
>>Ashley
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Bridgit Pollpeter
>>Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 1:20 PM
>>To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>Subject: [nabs-l] Blindness and other minorities
>
>>Jedi,
>
>>I also identify with feminism, but I consider myself a part of a
>>new
>>wave of feminist, as it were; my term, no official definition!
>>Smile.  I
>>just try to consider all people equals.  It's not about asserting
>>dominance over any particular group, or being just like a man;
>>it's
>>about being me, the best me, and not buying into preconceived
>>ideas.
>
>>I don't back down from my positions and arguments unless I find
>>sense or
>>logic in another's view point.  Feminism, true feminism, which is
>>about
>>equality, is often misconstrued and viewed in a negative light.
>>I tried
>>to tailor my argument so as to not focus on feminism in and of
>>itself,
>>but to display how far from true equality this world really is.
>
>>We've lulled ourselves into a false sense of equality in today's
>>world.
>>Yet everywhere we look, discrimination and prejudice remain
>>staunch
>>parts of life.  I totter on the edge of controversy  here, but we
>>send
>>military presences into other countries demanding, forcing them
>>to
>>accept a democratic way of life, but in our own country many of
>>us are
>>still struggling to be considered a part of the so-called
>>democratic
>>society here.  Yes, I'm not so stupid to not realize in many
>>instances
>>people in other countries experience medieval-like ways of life
>>and
>>horrid governments that will kill to get what they want, but in
>>terms of
>>a democratic, equal life, no one has achieved this.  How can
>>Americans
>>take on the role of big brother when we won't give certain rights
>>and
>>respect to groups living in America? Our perspective is skewed.
>>I'm not
>>necessarily claiming we intentionally dish out inproportionate
>>amounts
>>of equality, but because many don't have to deal with certain
>>experiences or have much exposure to them, they fail to realize
>>the
>>truth.  Unfortunately this ignorance has led too many to think we
>>live as
>>equals, and that opportunity is simply something you reach out
>>for and
>>grab it, as though opportunity is attainable equally.  Ten
>>percent of
>>students learning Braille is certainly not a statistic allowing a
>>minority to simply reach out and achieve anything.
>
>>Anyway, I didn't mean to come across with a wishy-washy message;
>>it's
>>just that my focus was on showing that people with disabilities
>>are not
>>the only group still fighting to be viewed as capable equals.
>>And I
>>personally don't look at certain women differently just because
>>they
>>choose to take a path less traveled these days.  Whether working
>>or not,
>>I don't think we should judge anyone who is pursuing something
>>they love
>>or being productive even if not in a conventional or traditional
>>way.  I
>>believe in equality among genders, and I think women should be
>>able to
>>choose whatever path that makes them happy; meanwhile, my
>>ultimate dream
>>is to be a soccer mom! Smile.
>
>>It's going to take time to convince people that disability isn't
>>the end
>>of the road.  It helps when people with disabilities actually
>>live up to
>>the standards and ideas espoused by groups like the Federation,
>>but the
>>same comment can be said about any minority or under-served
>>group.  I
>>think the best way to truly affect society is to live our lives
>>and meet
>>the same expectations placed on the rest of the world- to achieve
>>averageness should be the goal all people with disabilities works
>>towards.  Smirky grin.
>
>>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: 8
>>Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:53:20 -0400
>>From: Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net
>>To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Blindness vs.  other minority groups
>>Message-ID: ef9b1671-465f-4c4b-8cd7-511b7cd8d5c3 at samobile.net
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format="flowed"
>
>>Bridgit,
>
>>Never apologize for what you say here if it comes from your
>>deepest
>>experience.  This is exactly the discussion we should be having.
>>And
>>really, there is nothing dirty about feminism.  In fact,
>>feminists have
>>been saying the same thing for decades that you've just said here
>>on
>>list.  So while you personally may not identify as feminist, you
>>do
>>share feminist beliefs.  I identify as a feminist, and we're not
>>all
>>bra-burning crazies out to get men, we're just men and women who
>>are as
>>sick of sex oppression as you are.
>
>>Respectfully,
>>Jedi
>
>
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