[nabs-l] The diversity in a movement.

Fri Jan 30 17:15:13 UTC 2015

Good morning, Kaiti,

         I guess your position attop your high horse endows you with 
the authority of determining for everyone, exactly what is a 
"necessary" hand-out? Eh?
for today, Car of At 07:26 PM 1/29/2015, Kaiti Shelton via nabs-l wrote:
>I think that if there were only one type of federationist there would
>be new problems that would arise.  Even if this one type would be a
>perfectly self-sufficient person, braille-literate, a good traveler,
>employed, etc, there would be other problems created.  We're about
>building an entire population of people up, not just one subset.  That
>is why people have some difficulty understanding that blind people are
>diverse in their own right, but if we were more homogenius there would
>be even more problems with this, I think.
>
>Think of it this way; is it more damaging to have a situation where
>everyone is more or less the same, or different.  I know others as
>well as myself have been in situations where we were annoyed that a
>blind person who seemed less capable than we were was compared to us,
>or received unnecessary handouts.  On the other hand, we need to think
>of the people who are struggling to learn some skills and view the
>high expectations we have for blind people as something to work up to.
>It goes both ways.
>
>On 1/29/15, Julie McGinnity via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > Hi Darian and all,
> >
> > I think our members are definitely diverse.  And I agree that there is
> > no one way to be a federationist.  I think our common goals bind us
> > together.  We all feel that we as blind people must seek equality for
> > all of uus so that we can pursue all the opportunities we wish.  As
> > federationists, we have a common agenda.  It's about more than being
> > blind, our preferences as blind people, or even our personal
> > philosophies.  It's about moving beyond those things to connect with
> > others as we work to reshape preconceived ideas of the blind and
> > change laws that affect us.
> >
> > So, I don't think there is an image of the example federationist...
> > Mostly I don't think this because our movement is about more than just
> > one example blind person.  It's about all of us working together.  As
> > I understand, that's kind of what our new logo represents.
> >
> > On 1/29/15, jonathan franks via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >> Hello Darian and all,
> >> I completely agree. The members of the National Federation of the
> >> Blind and the blind population are full of numerous dynamics of
> >> personalities and characteristics. No organization can be perfect, but
> >> the reason I chose the NFB was the overall mission and philosophy this
> >> organization believes in. Washington Seminar is a perfect example of
> >> how I feel about what the NFB does best, we all are different people
> >> with different personalities, but the grander mission of equality for
> >> blind individuals holds true as to why I joined this organization.
> >> Also the dynamic types of projects this organization takes on does
> >> such a wonderful job in forming our future leaders and instilling
> >> confidence and the realization of knowing that we can live the life we
> >> want as blind people.
> >>
> >> Best
> >>
> >> Jonathan Franks
> >> Board Member
> >> National Federation of the Blind of Texas
> >> 1st Vice President
> >> National Federation of the Blind of Texas- Austin Chapter
> >>  Treasurer
> >> Texas Association of Blind Students
> >> Board Member
> >> National Division of the NFB Diabetes Action Network
> >>
> >> On 1/29/15, Darian Smith via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>> Hi all,
> >>>
> >>>   Recent  conversation on the list has started me thinking about whether
> >>> or
> >>> not there is a particular type of person who fits the ideal of what a
> >>> federationist  is or is not?
> >>>  I have personally come to believe that there isn't such a thing as an
> >>> ideal
> >>> Federationist.   I think there are most certainly things that the
> >>> Federation
> >>>  believes in,  and  practices/models such as the proficient use of
> >>> alternative techniques (Braille, cane travel, daily living skills,
> >>> technology), the expectation of    equal treatment in society  and equal
> >>> responsibility   on the part of the blind person to  achieve that
> >>> equality,
> >>> but I don't think only certain people can achieve those things.
> >>>  I tend to believe that while the Federation has it's flaws (as does any
> >>> organization/group of people) it/we are an  organization full of people
> >>> who
> >>> come from different backgrounds with a diverse set  of skills,
> >>> interests,
> >>> beliefs, etc.  I think  many of the members of this  movement/our
> >>> movement
> >>> are vital because of the types of leaders they are, the types of
> >>> supporters
> >>> they are and the types of believers (in the type of future  the blind
> >>> can
> >>> have and abilities the blind possess).
> >>>   I think we are truly equal parts geniuses and Jerks, we can be as
> >>> sweet
> >>> or
> >>> cynical as anyone and as humble or arrogant  as any other human being.
> >>>   Basically,  I believe we come in different shapes and sizes, with
> >>> varying
> >>> skills and styles.
> >>>   What do others think?
> >>>   Darian
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >>>
> >>
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> >
> >
> > --
> > Julie McGinnity
> > National Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
> > Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President, National Federation
> > of the Blind of Missouri recording secretary,
> > graduate Guiding Eyes for the Blind 2008, 2014
> > "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
> > 2 Cor. 7
> >
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> >
>
>
>--
>Kaiti
>
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