[NABS-L] The Ohio Association of Blind Students Brings You TwoBlind Brothers!

Thu Apr 8 01:16:52 UTC 2021

Hi everyone,

I am not familiar with the Two Blind Brothers, but the information that has been laid out since the initial post by longtime members of our movement is certainly concerning. 

We are all at different phases of learning about our movement and its philosophy. We are also at different phases of learning about the lived experiences of blind people. Some of us come from cultures that have a good orientation toward understanding oppression, some of us come from cultures that actively coordinate the oppression of others, and some of us may be new to analyzing it. 

While I do not notice anything disrespectful in the posts so far, I feel a slight inclination that this conversation can be delicate, so please all be mindful of that as we continue. Sometimes, events get changed, speakers get changed, names get changed, etc. If it really is an ill-advised event, maybe it will get changed. 

In the meantime, we can and should talk often about our movement and its philosophy. 

Aloha,

Justin

Justin Mark Hideaki Salisbury
he/him/his

Second Vice President | National Association of Blind Students
   A proud division of the National Federation of the Blind
(808) 797-8606
president at alumni.ecu.edu | www.nabslink.org

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-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cricket X. Bidleman via NABS-L
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2021 1:34 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cricket X. Bidleman <cricketbidleman at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] The Ohio Association of Blind Students Brings You TwoBlind Brothers!

Hi all,

This video and the company seem to be super problematic. As someone mentioned, the sending of gifts without knowing what they are does not portray the blind experience at all. There is no description of the product, and the way the video talks about the product, it's like they're saying that looks don't matter. I'm definitely not a fashionista--I still wear my brother's old shorts on occasion--but I have a concept of visual stuff. I choose to prioritize comfort over visuals, but others do not. That needs to be respected. It also portrays someone as incapable of being independent ("I have a brother who helps me get through problems every day"). One person asks how he can play a sport, and the brother replies that "You just go bat at it". This does not reflect NFB philosophy, and is actually dangerous to those who believe in independence. This furthers the stereotype of blind people, and people with disabilities, needing help and being unable to achieve independence.

Donating all funds to charities and science is very noble, but the question of how the company runs itself with no funding from the purchases is not answered. What foundations does the company donate to? There is no audible information about the price, or how to purchase, etc. There are no customer testimonials, aside from the founders. I would be mildly tempted into thinking that this might be some sort of scam. Then again, I'm a pessimist. Always open tohearing alternate perspectives though.

Best,
Cricket

--
Cricket X. Bidleman (she/her/hers)
Stanford University | Class of 2021
BA Candidate | Communications
Accessibility Consultant | Stanford University Computer Science Director of Communications | Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU) President | California Association of Blind Students (CABS)

On 4/7/21, Harry Staley via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> OMG their initial video is so cringe. I think that there may be better
> examples of entrepreneurs in our own organization.The first ten seconds say
> everything that I want to know about them and that company. Hard pass for
> me, thanks.
>
> Harry Staley
> Treasurer
>
> Texas Association of Blind Students
>
> 330-718-1876
> Hstaley at nfbtx.org
>
> NFB San Antonio Facebook:
> https://www.facebook.com/NatlFederationOfTheBlindSATX/
>
> NFB San Antonio Groupme:
> https://groupme.com/join_group/38340408/IUF3ab
>
>> On Apr 6, 2021, at 11:08 PM, Karl Martin Adam via NABS-L
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> I'd just like to point out that Two Blind Brothers promote really
>> discusting ideas about blindness through their alliance with The
>> Foundation Fighting Blindness and through their own advertising.  For
>> instance, this last holiday shopping season they had a promotion in which
>> people were supposed to engage in "blind shopping," which meant give them
>> money and have them send a random gift to the person you selected (yknow
>> because blindness equals ignorance) all to support "finding the cure"
>> because being blind sucks so much.
>>
>> Best,
>> Karl
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Kinshuk Tella via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> Date sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2021 09:30:12 -0400
>> Subject: [NABS-L] The Ohio Association of Blind Students Brings You
>> TwoBlind Brothers!
>>
>> Hey NABSters!
>>
>> Curious about what it's like being a blind entrepreneur? Interested in
>> learning more about Two Blind Brothers, a nationally recognized clothing
>> company?
>>
>> Come join the Ohio Association of Blind Students as we bring you an
>> exciting event on Tuesday, April 13th at 7 pm Eastern! For our April
>> meeting, we will be joined by Bradford and Bryan Manning, the founders of
>> Two Blind Brothers, to discuss entrepreneurship, education, and
>> leadership.
>> If you want to learn more about our guests, we have linked some of their
>> information below.
>>
>> Everyone is welcome to join us!
>>
>> The meeting will be April 13th at 7pm EST. The Zoom link is
>> https://zoom.us/j/408185085 <https://zoom.us/j/4081850851
>>
>> Here is an introduction video on Two Blind Brothers:
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7mf2FcylPU.
>>
>> “We find it incredible that our vulnerabilities, our passions, and the
>> most
>> nuanced parts of ourselves are now scalable, whether it’s a small business
>> or an organization that wants to help people. Knowing that your experience
>> is now relevant to somebody else in the world because now you can actually
>> connect with him or her is a powerful thing” -Bryan Manning
>>
>> --
>> Kinshuk Tella
>> He/Him/His
>> 937-708-9930
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>
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