[nabs-l] Individualism and Following a Leader

[Kirt]

Sophie,
Yes I agree with a lot of what you're saying. However joining any specific organization with a. Detailed political platform, behavioral norms and the like is, in my view, sacrificing a part of a person's individual identity for a greater good. If I disagree with the official stance of the Federation on a few important issues iamb, as per the NFB pledge, obligated to present a united front with the rest of the organization in public. I've made that bargain and, at least for now, I'm alright with it because I do support the vast majority of the Federation's policies, programs and philosophy, but it is nevertheless a willing sacrifice of a small part of my individual identity.
Best,
Kirt

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 22, 2014, at 11:25 AM, Sophie Trist via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I don't believe that following a leader in an organization infringes on individualism. In fact, I believe that in some cases, joining organizations can actually promote individualism because it allows people to meet others who have the same interests and goals as they do, and a group can do more than one person alone. The organization is made stronger because it receives input from lots of different people, and it must accept that those people won't always agree. An organization that promotes individualism is one that accepts disagreement and takes all ideas into account. If an organization refuses to accknowledge any view but its own, it's stifling individualism. I've only been a member of the NFB for a few years, but it's changed me, made me a better, stronger person. I've realized a lot about my abilities and responsibilities as a blind person. So I believe that joining an organization can and does change an individual's identity. The task of the individual is to assess that change with the synicism that Justin talked about. We should examine ourselves to see how our affiliations with others have changed us. And if we like what we see, great! If we don't like how an organization has changed us, we should take a look at why we're following that leader and see if it's really worth it.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Zachary N. Griego-Dreicer via nabs-l" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> To: Justin Salisbury <PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu>,National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 00:53:08 -0600
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Individualism and Following a Leader
> 
> It's a great morning! I'm in Complete agreement with you. Choosing to be a part of an organization only makes the organization stronger. I do not believe it would make an individual weaker
> Thank you.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone 5S Using VoiceOver
> 
> On Jun 22, 2014, at 0:31, Justin Salisbury via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Fellow Federationists:
> 
> Let us have a discussion thread about the relationship between individualism and following a leader. It appears to me that our generation has been taught to focus heavily on individualism, especially in questioning the ideas presented to us by leaders and establishments. I appreciate this part of my upbringing, but sometimes I wonder if this modern way of thinking can lead us to maintain our distance from an outfit in which we might have otherwise more actively embraced.
> 
> I have analyzed organizations for years as an outsider and, sometimes, as a member. For me, two primary organizations stand out as ones where I have come to trust the intentions of the leadership: Epsilon Chi Nu Fraternity (the first Native American fraternity) and the National Federation of the Blind. Epsilon Chi Nu was founded to help Native American men graduate from college, and it has added a general purpose of helping native men be the best we can be. We are based in love and trust, and we understand that we are stronger together than individually, especially as we try to create a more positive image of native men than the stereotypes perpetuate. I don't have to tell you what we do in the National Federation of the Blind, so I would now like to pose some questions:
> 
> Does following a leader or identifying with an establishment/organization infringe upon one's ability to be an individual?
> 
> Are we relinquishing any of our own identity if we identify with an organization?
> 
> Is an organization a collection of individuals, and do they have individual voices?
> 
> Is it an individual decision to follow a leader or identify with an organization?
> 
> I look forward to reading all provided opinions.
> 
> Yours,
> 
> Justin Salisbury
> Board Member
> National Association of Blind Students
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