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

Fri Mar 18 15:33:54 UTC 2011

Robert:

First, I like email because one can marshal one's thoughts so communication is brief, precise and succinct.

Second, we are more likely to involve others in our cause by joining *their* organizations than by pandering to their causes in ours.  Remember that we are Shakespeare's "We Happy Few."

Mike Freeman
sent from my iPhone

On Mar 18, 2011, at 6:52, "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net> wrote:

> 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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