[NABS-L] Draft Resolution 2.0, Seeking Further Feedback

Fri May 31 15:31:31 UTC 2024

Hi Noah and everyone,

Yes, the intent is to point out a current problem, applaud the school for the positive steps that it has already taken, and urge them to keep going further to make even more change. 

When schools go through renaming for reasons like this, step one is deciding that change will happen, and then step two is going through a big process to choose a new name. It often involves people submitting ideas for new names and then voting on which one is the best. I don't think it's helpful to focus on too many things at once, so let's cross that bridge when we get there. 

Also, just to be clear, it has not always been called the Perkins School for the Blind. If you look at the first two Whereas clauses, you'll notice that it has been renamed a few times. 

Please keep the thoughts coming.

Wela'lioq (Thank you, plural),

Justin

Justin MH Salisbury, MEd, NOMC, NCRTB
English Pronouns: he/him/his
Phone: 808.797.8606
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu
________________________________________
From: NABS-L [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Noah Carver via NABS-L [nabs-l at nfbnet.org]
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2024 10:26 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Noah Carver
Subject: Re: [NABS-L] Draft Resolution 2.0, Seeking Further Feedback

Perhaps Justin can clarify, however I believe the intent of the resolution isn’t to dictate what the new name should be but rather to point out the harmful impact of the current name and call for change.
--
Noah Carver (He/They)
Candidate, B.M. '26 | Applied Music (Performance) -- Voice
Eastman School of Music | University of Rochester
Co-chair, Content Creation Cmte. | National Association of Blind Students
[JAWS Certified, 2024]<https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification>
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Sent from my iPhone using dictation. All errors brought to you by Apple.

On May 31, 2024, at 9:10 AM, kim drudge via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:

OK, I agree. However, it's always been called Perkins School for the Blind
Could it be renamed "The Boston School for the Blind" or "Massachusetts
School for the Blind", or "Massachusetts School of Succession for the
Blind"?
Could it also be renamed "U.S. School for Succession for the Blind?"
Kim

On Fri, May 31, 2024 at 8:54 AM Justin Salisbury via NABS-L <
nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Hi Everyone,

After the feedback I've gotten so far, here is a second version of this
resolution. Please continue to share any thoughts that you have. It is
improving because of your participation in the process.

Resolution 2024-##, Regarding the Harmful Namesake of the Perkins School
for the Blind

WHEREAS, The New England Asylum for the Blind was incorporated in 1829 and
opened its doors in August 1832 in Boston, Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, In 1839, the Asylum was renamed after Thomas Handasyd Perkins
after he donated to it, and, after further name changes, that entity is
known today as the Perkins School for the Blind; and

WHEREAS, The Perkins School for the Blind, as a collective institution
including its library and products, remains an important provider of
blindness-related services today; and

WHEREAS, Born in 1764, T. H. Perkins used money from his wealthy family to
start an international trading business, where he traded human slaves and
the goods produced by their labor, including cotton, sugar, and rum, in the
Caribbean, until the Haitian Revolution in 1791; and

WHEREAS, T. H. Perkins later expanded his fortune by illegally smuggling
opium into China; and

WHEREAS, Pairing valuable products, services, and educational experiences
with the name of a known opium smuggler and slave trader teaches students
and community members of all backgrounds that these immoral acts are not
disqualifiers for being publicly honored; and

WHEREAS, Continuing to honor a known slave trader and opium smuggler
perpetuates intergenerational trauma for people of all colors; and

WHEREAS, On its website, the Perkins School for the Blind acknowledges
that it has financially benefitted from both the slave trade and opium
smuggling, and acknowledges the problems caused by this, particularly to
those in Black and Chinese communities; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in Convention
assembled this seventh day of July, 2024, in the City of Orlando, Florida,
that this organization asserts that the enslavement of human beings and
illegal smuggling of opium are unequivocally immoral and that participating
in these wrongdoings is a disqualifier for being honored in any space
sufficiently influenced by the National Federation of the Blind; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this organization commends the Perkins School
for the Blind for acknowledging how it has benefited from these historical
wrongs; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That this organization urges the Perkins School
for the Blind to advance its efforts to promote diversity, equity, and
inclusion by changing its name to remove all references to Thomas Handasyd
Perkins.

Thank you all,

Justin

Justin MH Salisbury, MEd, NOMC, NCRTB
English Pronouns: he/him/his
Phone: 808.797.8606
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu

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--
Kim Drudge
Behind a great man is a strong woman.
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