[NABS-L] Let's Talk Philosophy: Self-Sufficiency and BIPOC

[Justin Salisbury]

Hi everyone,

I have been thinking about bringing up a philosophical discussion point in a group setting, and I've decided that NABS is a great place to have this discussion. Our emerging generation of leaders is bringing about new ideas and change, and I am hopeful that this discussion will be a part of a better tomorrow. As we say at my alma mater, East Carolina University: Tomorrow starts here.

I'm going to bring up a point of confusion in the Federation philosophy that I would enjoy discussing with others in our movement. To be extra clear, this is not a passive-aggressive attack on anyone. I'm not hoping that this leads to the crucifixion of any particular person. There are problems in American society that can corrupt how people understand Federation philosophy. I believe talking about them can help us reflect on them.

I have heard a line of logic that has been repeated many times, in various forms, which goes something like this:

  1.  The NFB says that blind people need to be self-sufficient.
  2.  [Black and Indigenous People of Color] are not self-sufficient.
  3.  Because [Black and Indigenous People of Color] are not self-sufficient, we need to get them to (and this part is always said the same way) "find somewhere else to go."

*I put the BIPOC label in brackets because, as you can imagine, various words are used for that label.

I know there are still some Americans who live on farms, grow their own food, make their own clothes, etc., but how many people do their own dental work? How many people are really and truly self-sufficient? I think any married person can tell you that they have needs that their spouse fulfills for them, like a wife who prefers that her husband cook the clam chowder with his special recipe.

If we want to talk about economic self-sufficiency, I think that might be closer to the ideas in NFB philosophy, but I don't think that our philosophy does shame or cast out anyone who is not living without some kind of financial assistance from the government. In some ways, we all benefit from that, too, because the government pays for the national defense that protects us all, the roads on which we all travel at some point, and many other things that benefit us all.

If we want to talk about independence, I don't think that's the same as never getting anyone to help you with anything. In my thoughts, independence is about having the freedom to make choices for yourself, which gives you greater flexibility and control in your life. If someone doesn't have much independence, then they very much need the Federation, and we should be actively trying to help them, not trying to drive them away.

I acknowledge that it may be possible to quantify economic self-sufficiency and come out with a ranking that does in fact show that Black and Indigenous People of Color are less economically self-sufficient, but I do not think this is the fault of the BIPOC community. I am mixed, but I group myself in BIPOC. The oppression that Black and Indigenous People of Color have faced and still face has made and continues to make it harder for us to achieve the level of economic self-sufficiency that is enjoyed by White and Asian American settler communities. If we want blind Black and Indigenous People of Color to become more economically self-sufficient, I support that desire, but I don't think the path to economic self-sufficiency can include casting aside Black and Indigenous People of Color for the fact that they/we are already oppressed. We have to help our blind brothers and sisters of all colors to get over the hurdles and continue on our march to freedom for the blind.

In summary, I think the Federation philosophy, when properly applied, actually includes the idea that blind people are not free until blind Black and Indigenous People of Color are free.

What do you all think? Whether or not you agree, can you add anything to this discussion?

Aloha,

Justin


Justin Mark Hideaki Salisbury
he/him/his

Phone: 808.797.8606
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu<mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu>
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-salisbury
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Salisbury


"Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore."

Cesar Chavez