[nabs-l] The diversity in a movement.
Karl Martin Adam
kmaent1 at gmail.com
Fri Jan 30 17:34:28 UTC 2015
I think Kaiti can determine that some things are unnecessary, as
can we all. Yes there are grey areas, and yes sometimes people
judge too quickly and assume that something isn't necessary when
it really is, but there are clear cases. For instance, when
people with disabilities game the system that allows us to take
tests in DSS offices instead of class to take tests a week after
everyone else so they can have extra time to study. Or when
people with disabilities have their family members write their
papers because "we poor blind people can't do that for
ourselves." Or when people use their blindness as an excuse to
use their computer or notetaker to take exams and check their
book or notes for the answers. Or when blind people get out of
math an science classes because "those classes are just too hard
for us." Or when blind people get their teachers to accept
papers without using the proper citation format because "we can't
possibly be expected to correctly use APA."
----- Original Message -----
From: Carly Mihalakis via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
To: Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com>,National
Association of Blind Students mailing list
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>,Julie McGinnity
<kaybaycar at gmail.com>,National Association of Blind Students
mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Fri, 30 Jan 2015 09:15:13 -0800
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] The diversity in a movement.
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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--
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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