[Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info
Patricia A. Lipovsky
plipovsky at cfl.rr.com
Mon Sep 17 16:15:41 UTC 2012
Thanks Mark.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Tardif" <markspark at roadrunner.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 12:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info
> Hello, Patricia,
>
> It seems to me that your "two cents" are worth a lot more than that and
> that your opinion is quite reasonable and valid. I think the areas where
> I have a problem have to do with the idea that there are some
> misconceptions, one of which is that experiencing blindness for the first
> time is somehow like being a normal, functioning blind person, and using
> that as a means of fundraising. I can tell you from experiences I had at
> summer camp, when we had what were referred to as campers' days, during
> which counselors and other staff were blind folded that this simply isn't
> accurate. I played the camp nurse one such day, and the actual nurse was
> blind folded, and at times absolutely terrified, and I had to calm her
> down. I suppose I'm exagerating somewhat, but the point is that this
> experience for her was nothing like the way I, as a functioning teenager,
> saw the world. I think if people are fundraising for and with blind
> people, it would be more helpful for them to actually talk with blind
> people, and better yet, attend NFB or ACB meetings, and find out from real
> blind people what blindness is all about. Again, just my two cents. LOL.
>
> Mark Tardif
> Nuclear arms will not hold you.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Patricia A. Lipovsky
> Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 8:24 AM
> To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info
>
> Hello.
>
> This probably won't set right with most, but I'm sorry, but I don't quite
> see it that way. In my opinion, this has nothing to do with ability, but
> more for someone to experience what it is like to do something without
> vision. Its kind of like being pushed in a wheel chair to experience not
> being able to walk. The more we can get the general public to understand
> disabilities, the better, thus being able to move forward with our needs
> concerning legislation etc., etc..
>
> Just my two sense.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark Tardif" <markspark at roadrunner.com>
> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 10:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info
>
>
>> Hello, Lenora. I was one of the ones not aware of this resolution. I
>> think, however, that it is a good one. Obviously, promoters of this kind
>> of activity have major stereotypes about blindness and the abilities of
>> blind people. For example, the idea that blind people cannot cook for
>> large numbers of people, and the idea that somehow blind people must have
>> a hard time with their table manners, because we cannot see when or if a
>> piece of food ends up on the table. I could go on and on. I think maybe
>> the worst of these misconceptions is that eating in darkness for the
>> first time ever, is somehow like blindness for someone who has lived it
>> for many years. In fact, those of us who have been blind for many years
>> no better. But the worst thing by far, is these promoters, who probably
>> have never talked with a real blind person, shamefully use this approach
>> to get people to feel sorry for blind people and therefore provide funds
>> for their agencies. That is unethical and atrocious!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> Mark Tardif
>> Nuclear arms will not hold you.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Lenora J. Marten
>> Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 5:58 AM
>> To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info
>>
>>
>> Hey everyone,
>>
>> For those who are not aware, NFB passed a resolution at National
>> Convention in Dallas that condemns the
>> practice of Dining in the Dark.
>> You will find a copy/paste of the resolution below.
>>
>>
>> Resolution 2012-04
>> Regarding Dining in the Dark
>>
>>
>> WHEREAS, the real problem of blindness is not the loss of
>> eyesight but the widespread public misconception that the blind are not
>> equal to the sighted in society; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind categorically
>> rejects the myth that the blind are not equal to the sighted; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, programs of the National Federation of the Blind
>> teach and promote a positive understanding of blindness, that the blind
>> are normal and equal members of society, and that blindness does not mean
>> inferiority; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, an activity known as "dining in the dark" is being
>> promoted and used to raise funds by having sighted people experience
>> blindness by eating in the dark; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, an article published in Time magazine entitled
>> “Dining in the Dark” assures would-be diners that the cook “works in a
>> well-lit kitchen”; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, the Dining in the Dark
>> website--www.dininginthedark.org--states: “you will pick from a specially
>> prepared menu (designed by a sighted local ‘star’ chef)” and "In darkness
>> everyone becomes equal. Our opinions can't be molded by dress,
>> mannerisms, or makeup as none of it can be seen. You learn that without
>> sight your other senses become more acute”; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, these statements lay bare the underlying philosophy
>> of dining in the dark, that sight means superior ability, and that, when
>> sight is removed in the dark, the blind and the sighted are equal: Now,
>> therefore,
>>
>> BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in
>> Convention assembled this fourth day of July, 2012, in the city of
>> Dallas, Texas, that this organization condemn and deplore the use of
>> dining in the dark in a manner that diminishes the innate normality and
>> equal status of the blind in society; and
>>
>> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization pursue an active
>> policy of opposition to dining in the dark activities and events,
>> including use of media and public protests, whenever and wherever such
>> activities and events exploit blindness and blind people based on a
>> demeaning philosophy.
>>
>>
>>
>> Lenora J. Marten
>> NFB-Florida Secretary
>> FOPBC President
>> NFB-Jax Chapter Secretary
>> bluegolfshoes at aol.com
>> 904-777-5976 / 904-229-9554
>>
>>
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>
>
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