[Nfb-editors] Seeking diversity

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Barbara,

I am not suggesting we collaborate with other organizations, though, as
you pointout, if our goals are the same, it is not a bad idea, and I am
certainly not suggesting we change our focus from blind-related issues.

Broadening our audience does not mean broadening our focus.

I am simply suggesting we find ways to encourage membership and
participation outside the blind community.

It is essential we continue to lead the organization, and we do not
change what the Federation is, or dilute our mission.

If you look at successful organizations that have made change, they have
a membership that crosses sections of society.And I am not just talking
about disability groups.

If we want to change mindsets, shouldn't we include all people?  Not
just blind people.  Changing what it means to be blind should not just
extend to us, the blind, but to society in general.

Look at ethnic and racial groups.  They too have laws passed disabling
discrimination, but negative mindsets and stereotypes persisted.  Many
began to incorporate their message into all facets of life.

I remember in the 80's school textbooks started using images of
different ethnic and racial people in order to develop a concept that
taught children about diversity.  Blonde haired, blue eyed, caucasian
images were no longer the dominate ideal.

Now, the gay community is attempting the same thing.  They are
incorporating themselves into mainstream aspects of life so they can
reach a wide audience.

Why can't the disabled community do the same thing?  And for arguments
sake, wouldn't that make it a good idea to work together with disabled
groups?

Of course we must keep our mission and goals-- I never suggested
otherwise, but we need to find ways to make the NFB accessible to the
public.

Again, most people think, "I'm not blind, why should I care about this?"
This is the truth.  So if we can bring these people into the fold, they
realize, one, blindness is not as terrible as they thought, and two,
awareness for the Federation spreads, and suddenly, the NFB is a
household name.  People know and recognize the name.

Stereotypes and negative perceptions will always exist, for any group,
but working together and seeking a larger audience helps change minds,
not just laws that must be followed even if people disagree.

Our publications should retain our mission and philosophy, but perhaps
we can find new ways in which to express our ideas.  Maybe focusing on
personal experience as opposed to straight reporting, will open a door
that interest people outside the Federation.  Maybe weaving creative
elements into our causes, initiatives and programs will reach outside
our own borders and pique interest.

Again, do not mistake me-- I am not saying we change our goals or
water-down our philosophy.  Our philosophy is what makes the Federation
what it is.  And I never said we focus on issues completely unrelated to
blindness or the Federation.  All I want is to truly think outside the
box and look for ways to grow.

Bridgit

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:24:45 -0400
From: "Barbara Pierce" <bpierce at oberlin.net>
To: "'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'" <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] [NFB-editors] Seeking diversity
Message-ID: <1AE739AF68B14FECA85E537BF4473481 at bpierce>d
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

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