[Nfb-editors] [NFB-editors] Seeking diversity

[Mike Freeman]

I concur with Barbara.  One of the great strengths of the Federation is its
single-minded concentration on issues affecting the blind.  In this, the
Federation is unlike almost every other civil rights organization and, in my
view, it's one of the reasons why the Federation is so effective and so
often attains its legislative and other goals.  We are the envy of many
other organizations -- especially pan-disability organizations.  They have a
hard time grasping that our success is due in good part to our stubborn,
single-minded approach.

Another way to look at this is to realize that within NFB, there are
liberals and conservatives, Communists and tea-party activists.  The one
thing which unites us all is that we care about the blind and agree by dint
of resolutions on blindness issues on which we want to work.  Thus, we have
not taken a position on healthcare reform, tax code reform, stimulus
packages versus spending limits and a whole host of other issues that affect
all of us but that are not specific to blindness.  Any attempt to address
any of these issues would result in acrimony and divisiveness and would
adversely affect our ability to make life better for the blind.

Bridgit, you say you want not just to make life better for the blind but to
make life better for everyone.  In a word, go to it!  There's nothing
stopping you from participating in organizations dealing with other issues
dear to your heart.  In fact, I would maintain that participating in other
such organizations is the essence of Federationism since one of the
Federation's primary goals is the complete integration of the blind into
society on a basis of equality with the sighted.

Moreover, it has been the experience of the Federation over the years that
unless we are vigilant, when we work on causes with other organizations or
let others affect our decisions, we, the blind, get lost in the shuffle
since we are such a small minority.

Bridgit, I commend your idealism.  You want a better world.  So do we all.
But there are enough things in society to improve that if any one
organization tries to tackle them all, the result will be that nothing
improves.  Far better to specialize and make a difference in one's small
corner of the universe.

Mike Freeman


-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Barbara Pierce
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 11:25 AM
To: 'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] [NFB-editors] Seeking diversity

It is all well and good to aim at interesting a broad group of people in the
issues of importance to us--blindness and the discrimination we face. But we
have good reasons for our policy against joining coalitions. We work with
others when their goals and ours are the same or similar. Blindness issues
are the one thing that unite members of the NFB. In all other matters we are
a cross-section of society. I think we will find it difficult to broaden our
newsletters in include things that are not shaped by blindness.

Barbara

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 1:41 PM
To: nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfb-editors] Seeking diversity

I think we need to seek membership wherever we can.  Sighted, blind,
disabled, non-disabled.  Yes, a broader audience will open more eyes--
no pun intended.

I know we have been wary of how non-blind members are involved, but I am
not suggesting we compromise our goal, or change our functions.  I
simply believe we must find ways to include a larger community into our
organization.

I think our publications have the opportunity to create this bridge.

I am not content with changing just the lives of the blind; I want to
change the lives of everyone.  If we can diversify the NFB, we have a
better chance to infiltrate the hearts and minds of the public at large.
I don't just want to educate; I want to work alongside.

I think any artistic expression lends a hand in accomplishing this.
Writing is an artistic expression-- even legal-based or historical
writing.  Words have always been powerful.

And just look at Virginia Tech.  The team working with us on the BDC did
not always believe in our capabilities, but now look at the
transformation.  They are truly working alongside us.

For a cynic, I sure have lofty ideals.  *smile*

Bridgit

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:15:02 -0700
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'" <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] Making the newsletter work-- diversity
Message-ID: <00a801cbe440$beddd500$3c997f00$@panix.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Bridgit:

I presume you are speaking of a larger audience and not getting more
sighted members.

Mike



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