[nabs-l] Blindness and other minorities
Chris Nusbaum
dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
Fri Nov 18 21:57:18 UTC 2011
Hi Jedi,
Yes, you're right. Representative democracy, republic; pretty
much the same thing, but you are right in all your points. Our
politicians have forgotten that they are there to answer to the
people, not the other way around. I could go a lot longer on
this subject, but I don't want to be thrown off the list! LOL!
Chris
"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight. The
real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that
exists. If a blind person has the proper training and
opportunity, blindness can be reduced to a mere physical
nuisance."
-- Kenneth Jernigan (President, National Federation of the Blind,
1968-1986
P.S. The I C.A.N. Foundation helps blind and visually impaired
youth in Maryland say "I can," by empowering them through
providing assistive technology and scholarships to camps and
conventions which help them be equal with their sighted peers.
For more information about the Foundation and to support our
work, visit us online at www.icanfoundation.info!
Sent from my BrailleNote Apex
----- Original Message -----
From: Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:52:24 -0500
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Blindness and other minorities
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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