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

[Camille Tate]

Justin and all Nabsters: 

I would enjoy a discussion on philosophy because many people, inside and
outside of the Federation, do not always grasp what our philosophy truly is.
This is not a criticism, but an opinion based on some of the questions I
have often been asked about us, our motives and what we stand for. I have
heard some of the statements referenced below, amongst others that lead me
to believe philosophy is a topic we do not discuss enough. 

I'd also like to suggest that we all review Dr. Jernigan's speech, "The
Nature of Independence", where he talks about independence of the blind and
how he defines it. 

I look forward to joining in this discussion. 

Thanks,
Camille Tate 



-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Justin Salisbury via
NABS-L
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2021 8:25 PM
To: Justin Salisbury via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Justin Salisbury <PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu>
Subject: [NABS-L] Let's Talk Philosophy: Self-Sufficiency and BIPOC

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

_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ctate2076%40att.net