[nabs-l] Why is it important to join an organization of the blind?

[Amy Sabo]

Hello Bridget,

Thanks for your lovely post on this topic and, I want to
intertwined some of my thoughts on this topic to you too! I too
don't agree with all of the concepts and things that the
federation stands for or have the same for all of its views on
blindness. But, I too had to resign from some of my duties in the
fall of 2006 due to many personal things in my life too. And,
people in the Colorado affiliate treated me the same way that you
addressed in your post in why you had to step down from your
leadership roles in the nfb. But, we in life have to take some
time from federation responsibilities and deal with personal and
professional issues in our lives. The federation isn't going
anywhere and, you can always come back to it. I certainly did
and, it has make me a stronger person because of it!

Thanks again for your comments and, I will talk to you soon.




Hugs always,
amy

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 3:11 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] Why is it important to join an organization of
the blind?

Chris, Sean, Arielle and others,

I think each of you have hit the nail on the head. Perhaps, and
this is
not the first time I've had this thought, referring to a
"philosophy" of
blindness is too closely associated with religion or
philosophical
schools of thought, which it is, but not to the extent in which
some
think. I can't tell you how many people I meet, sighted and
blind, who
hear philosophy of blindness and this phrase alone is what turns
them
off. Certainly some Federationist, along with members of other
organizations, have the fervor of an evangelist, but this concept
is
strictly related to how we view blindness and what we think blind
people
can accomplish. Nothing more; no connection to religious views,
no
association politically other than political issues specific to
blindness, no connotations on morals or what constitutes "good"
and
"bad" people. Maybe though, we need to consider a new word or
phrase so
immediate lines are not drawn to other definitions and ideas
about what
"philosophy" means.

We all have varying personalities and degrees of interest. As
blind
people, we know our interest and personalities are as varied and
vast as
those who are not blind. Advocacy and political activism come
naturally
for some while others, for a myriad of reasons, are not
interested in or
comfortable with the role of activist and advocate. Some find a
way to
advocate in nontraditional ways or non-political ways such as
community
involvement, creative writing, art or simply living their life.
Some
seek a social outlet in which to meet like-minded people and many
are
eager for information. I've heard stories about people learning
about
the Federation simply by researching blindness. Many of us join
organizations like the NFB and grow into different roles as we
progress
as a human and as a blind person. As pointed out, some have to
prioritize their lives and simply can't always make the
Federation a top
priority all the time.

Many people join organizations like the Federation for a plethora
of
reasons, and as Sean points out, there's no Litmus scale
measuring
superiority or what reason is more important than others. Like in
the
world in general, some have political interest, others don't;
some
people use artistic expressions to relay emotions and concepts,
others
just enjoy being creative for no deeper reason than it brings joy
to
them and others; some enjoy participating in interest and
activities
with like-minded peers, while others don't feel a necessity to
see out
social settings this way. We follow the same path in the
Federation or
any organization working to bring awareness and equality to the
world.

Joining an organization doesn't label us "better" or superior to
those
who don't join. And to be quite frank, if members of any
organization
belittle and demean those who don't join, or feel they are a
"better"
blind person for joining a group, they're in the wrong. No one
should
ever, ever treat people in a demeaning way. If we claim to fight
for
equality, we can't turn around and treat others who don't join
with
mindsets and attitudes suggesting inequality. We all have a right
to how
we live and what, and how, we participate in groups. Likewise, we
can't
adopt superior attitudes towards members who, in the opinions of
some,
lack involvement, or those who participate in certain aspects of
the
Federation but not others. If someone wishes to make the
Federation
their life (and I'm not coating this with any meaning good or
bad) that
is their choice, but if others don't and can't devote all or even
half
of their life to the Federation, this is also their choice, and
either
one should not be made to feel guilty, inferior or treated as
though
they don't care, or live in a safety-net of blind-specific
interest and
pursuits.

We can't expect the world to treat us as equals and deal fairly
with us
if we don't extend the same courtesies to each other. When I had
to step
down from most of my Federation positions last spring due to
personal
reasons, whispers went up in some corners that I had "back-slid"
in my
ideas of blindness and what is important. To be a bit honest, I
have
felt quite isolated since stepping down though I made it clear I
had no
intention of quitting the Federation or that I was no longer
interested
in assisting in what way I can; I just reached a point where I
couldn't
have the sense of obligation board positions hang over you as a
huge
part of my life. I needed to claim back the balance in my life so
I
could focus on personal and professional ventures as well. So I
understand how some may feel, like you're either in all the way
or
you're not in at all, which is not realistic for most people in
general
no matter the group or topic.

I'm much like Sean; though I believe whole-heartedly in the
fundamentals
of the Federation-- complete independence and that blind people
can, and
will, do anything-- I don't agree with each decision, each
direction,
the Federation takes, just as I don't agree with each thought and
issue
adopted by the Democrat party. This is how human nature works.
Think of
the relationships in your life-- parents, siblings, significant
others,
teachers, friends-- do you always agree with them? Of course not,
and an
organization like the Federation operates like a family just on a
larger
scale. We support one another and are there for one another even
if we
don't always see eye-to-eye, no pun intended, smile!

Let's not stop moving becoming stag net because we tear one
another down
simply for not joining an organization of the blind or because
some of
us pick and choose where we are involved; this does nothing to
help our
cause, it only disintegrates what we're working towards. Joining
a group
like the Federation has a lot of benefits, but the NFB is working
for
the blind community at large, whether you're a member or not. And
like
Arielle said, we have an instant network of people to turn to for
all
sorts of things. Whether it be employment, education,
relationships and
even things like home management and parenting, we have a vast
network
of people who have, or currently are, been there and can answer
questions and help us along our path. Let's not discredit a group
like
the Federation or lump all Federation members into one
cookie-cutter
shape, but let's not adopt superior attitudes either towards
those who
don't join. Learn to think for yourselves and not be swayed by
one
thought over another. You can be a Federationist and not agree
with
every decision made, but you can also agree with many sentiments
of the
Federation without actually joining. At the end of the day, is
not
equality and independence for the blind what matters? And if this
is
happening in the world, our country, does it really matter who is
involved and where they choose to be involved?

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


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