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

Fri Mar 18 14:40:01 UTC 2011

In the past chapters frequently had what they called associate members. This
allowed them to pull in sighted people with an interest in blindness but not
threaten the chapter's majority blind requirement. My chapter, for example,
has a lot of sighted people because sighted spouses are welcomed, but we
always have to be careful to keep the 51 percent level of blind people. That
is the only concern I would have with the dream of wider involvement of
sighted people in the chapter.

Barbara

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Robert Leslie Newman
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 9:52 AM
To: 'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] [NFB-editors] Seeking diversity

Barbara, Mike and others

Bridgit and I are in the same local chapter. On our board we have talked
about chapter membership, the community and diversity. And what I thought I
read in Bridgit's post, was what our chapter feels, is that we'd like to get
some more buy-in by our community by attracting, to our cause and ideals,
representatives from our community at large. These non-blind individuals
would come with an interest in "our goals and way of doing things." This
would not be a thing like us blending in other "groups and their goals,"
into ours. Rather, these people would become "Federationests." We are
looking for a finger into our community resources (money, political clout,
transportation, stuff that we need to have and do our Federation business).
We are looking to have a chapter picture that would look like the dream
picture that would be, if all in the world saw blindness as we do. 

We are mindful and respectful of the principle that Barbara has written out
as a precaussionary reminder. And so yeah, our communications, publications,
our events what we say and do will not change from what we all in the
Federation know is the best path. Diversifying the physical characteristics
of our membership, doesn't mean we are looking to, nor will we allow the
power of what we know and do to also be diversified. I visualize all your
intelligent and charming faces and know the power of your ability to
educate, to hold to your principle. Think of all those non-blind people that
you have been instrumental in changing their view, meaning of blindness. We
just want more of them, and encourage them to join us in being a more active
partner to work more of this magic on the rest of our community.

(Hope this helps- email is so 1 dimensional.) 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2011 4:53 AM
To: Correspondence Committee Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] [NFB-editors] Seeking diversity

Mike,
    Another truth about the work we do in the Federation is that it has
wide-ranging effects on other disabilities. For instance, when NAGDU works
on guide dog issues, others who use service animals are also impacted. As we
raise awareness of guide dog etiquette, we raise the awareness of such
etiquette for other service animals, too! As we strengthen legislation to
protect the rights of guide dog handlers to full and equal access, we do so
for other service animal users, as well!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'" <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 10:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] [NFB-editors] Seeking diversity

>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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