[NFBF-L] Washington Seminar

[Tish Kooper]

Marilyn,

First, I want to say how much I appreciate this statement. Especially, your
comparison point as quoted, "A good comparison of my statement would be
that we in the blind community would not want our local and state agency
leaders to develop plans and procedures for blind people without blind
people present". I say this because it is the essence of what we fight for
as Federationists and that is "representation". It is a fight that cannot
only occur within the Federation by us. And before I go further, to clarify
when I say "us", I am talking about every single one of us within the
Federation. We are not singular expressions of persons. We each fall
within some point along the continuum of blindness, but we also carry the
stripes of a fight that goes much deeper than blindness alone. Whether this
is ethnicity, sex, religious affiliation, political affliation, sexuality,
gifts, talents, intersectng abilities, thought and so mcuh more.

Second, as part of the Washington Seminar calls (prior to congress person
or staffer presence) there was much guidance given as to what would be good
to be seen and what would not, what to highlight and what to steer away
from etc. based on who was the receiving congressperson or staffer. Your
statement and comparison statement not only align with that, but its basis
was on the deep knowledge you possessed regarding what was important to
that congressperson. It was not different from guidance given regarding
what was important to other congresspersons like having veterans or persons
working for the military speak on a topic to a particular
congressperson, what not to have shown in your background, etc. The goal
was "appealing" to the congressperson or staffer based on what they valued
or appreciated in a way that would increase the likelihood of their support
through sponsorship. That was not only the objective, but the primary goal.
With that understanding of the major goal, and knowledge of what this
particular congressperson values it would only make sense to ensure that
"at least" one represented that value because the goal was "sponsorship"
and not "alienation" or "offense". To add, based on your statement, your
request was that at least "one" and not all because of your background
knowledge

To reiterate another previous statement above regarding veterans. It was
clearly stated during training and pre-meeting conversations how important
it was to have one of our blind veterans speak to a particular
congressperson because it would look good and  that congressperson
themselves was a veteran.  Could this be taken as an offense? Why or why
not? I mean, it is promoting representation based on the congressperson's
values or relateable experience. Or, what about highlighting certain
characteristics of our members during introdcuton because it would showcase
our ability as blind persons to contribute to society or make triumphs that
our sighted counterparts are able to make. In each case, the request to
have at least one. Not all, but one because of "how favorably it would
look". Again, appealing to recipients through representation based on
knowledge.

Third, I think what needs to be addressed by us all as Federation family
members is not only the presence of the offense, but the "why". Why did
your statement create an offense but all of the other statements regarding
what to present or not or represent or not did not. Or maybe they did. And
if they did, why did yours (and I infer based on seeing this written
statement of yours) have a greater impact when its intent was to support
the goal.

Finally, none of us can throw stones. Good intent does not always have
positive outcomes. Howvever, we all can with grace and compassion learn
from one another if open and willing to do so. Such takes honesty and going
to the source to garner understanding before presenting it to the crowd. I
only hope those who felt an offense will have the courage to reach out to
you directly to have the honest and deep conversation necessary. This would
provide the chance to hear one another's point of view, unfiltered and
untampered, to get to where we need to. We are family. Family has its ups
and downs, but we remain strong when we take the time to understand one
another and the diversity of our thought that is based on life experience.
How do we grow if we never understand the "why"? We should take proactive
measures to understand the "why"so that we do not allow for cracks in the
foundation  of what is the building of the Federation. Diversity is not
bound to always agreeing or being present and muted, but steady openness to
understanding despite not always agreeing While never removing focus from
the ultimate goal. In the Federation, that is living the life you want
knowing that to achieve it requires a multitude of approaches.

I hope we all give one another the grace to be understood and that we each
are gracious enough with ourselves to be humble enough to open up to
receive the growth that understanding brings.

Have a blessed day!

Regards,
Tashara


On Fri, Mar 18, 2022 at 9:27 AM MARILYN BALDWIN via NFBF-L <
nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Washington Seminar
>
> Dear Members and Friends,
>
> It has come to my attention that during one of my first training meetings
> for our 2022 Virtual Washington Seminar, a statement that was made by me
> was misunderstood by some individuals who were present. I do not believe
> that my statement was inappropriate. As we were informally talking before
> the Aide to the Congresswoman entered the room, I stated that it would be
> good if there were someone that looked like me to speak on one of the
> issues to be discussed. I wanted to make a point of having a person who
> lived in the district of Representative Val Demings to be present. The
> Congresswoman and I are both African Americans.
>
> I worked as an Administrative Assistant with the City of Orlando for over
> 14 years before retiring on Medical Disability and that is how I came to
> know Congresswoman Demings. She spoke during one of our National
> Conventions in Orlando,I believe. After her presentation to the entire
> audience, she came down to where our Florida Delegation was seated and we
> visited for a short time. I was delighted that she remembered who I was. By
> no means was my statement ment to give the impression that only African
> American people could speak with our Congresswoman. My words were only to
> share with the host that the Congresswoman or her Aide see a member from
> her constituents that is a female, blind, an active member of our
> organization the NFB, and who is also blind.
>
> As I recall, there were other speakers who were not all African American
> and who did an outstanding job presenting the issues with the Congressional
> Aide during the meeting, as it should be. We had a good discussion of the
> 2022 NFB Legislative priorities. Second Vice President Camille Tate thought
> that the local connection might be helpful in reaching Representative
> Demings. Please understand that I am also like many of you are, blind and I
> have compassion and understand the desire of all blind people to live a
> productive, independent lifestyle,with the education and skills to do so.
> For some members racism makes this desire even. More difficult.
>
> A good comparison of my statement would be that we in the blind community
> would not want our local and state agency leaders to develop plans and
> procedures for blind people without blind people present , and providing
> meaningful input. Honestly I thought that I was being helpful to our
> Affiliate. If my statement made anyone feel uncomfortable , I am sorry. My
> words were and are ment for more diversity and Inclusion at all levels of
> this organization. Our African American members have often lived with
> discrimination during our entire lives. Being blind and Black is no
> exception to this hardship of life. It hurts me that I am having to defend
> my advocacy work for Diversity and Inclusion in the National Federation of
> the Blind of Florida.
>
> Diversity. and equal treatment of all persons is what my life in and
> outside of the Federation is all about. I am a 1982 graduate of Bethune
> Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Currently I Co Chair the
> League of Women Voters of Orange County DEIA Committee. I also serve on the
> Orange County League Board of Directors. I am a member of the Orange County
> Branch NAACP. I was a founding member of the Orange County ADA Advisory
> Board and served as Chairman for over five years. Our Florida Bar has an
> organization called the Fl. Bar Citizens Forum and I was a member and
> served one term as Vice Chairman. I have spent many years working for Civil
> Rights in the disability field . My Faith life includes active membership
> with Zion Lutheran Church in Orlando, Florida for the last 20 years now. I
> have served in various leadership roles in my congregation. I am by no
> means perfect, but wish good will to everyone. Our Affiliate Diversity
> Committee was and is my dream , allowing persons who are minorities, to
> have leadership roles and responsibilities in the Federation within the
> Florida Affiliate. God has blessed me to serve on many levels in this
> organization as I mentor leaders to come.
>
> The very thought that someone would think anything other than the desire
> and issues that I have mentioned here is a concern to me. I have discussed
> this matter with my colleagues and business associates, and no one has
> thought there was anything racist or inappropriate in my comments during
> the training workshop, only the desire to help the meeting to go well. It
> was a statement of reality. I continue to represent our local community of
> disabled riders who cannot drive and use our local Paratransit program in
> Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties. I have served in this capacity for
> over 20 years now. I credit membership in the Federation as one of the
> tools making all of this possible. Oh my Bachelor of Science Degree was in
> Elementary Education.
>
> Because I believe in the work of the Federation, I have supported this
> organization not only as a member, but with my finances in the PAC program
> and in our local and state fundraising activities. I encourage our local
> membership to consider doing the same, so that our work to help blind
> people will continue. This is what members who are truly committed to the
> NFB will want to do.
>
> These are all very difficult times that we live in. In talking about
> issues that like race relationships misunderstandings can arise easily. It
> can often be helpful to talk with the person or group that is directly
> involved and listen for greater understanding on both sides of issues and
> concerns. Again, if someone was hurt or did not understand what or why I
> said this I am truly sorry. Please come to our Diversity Committee meetings
> and help us to work on bringing many blind blind people to National
> Federation of the Blind of Florida. I truly hope that our Diversity
> Committee can be the safe space for open and honest discussions about race
> and culture for the members of our Affiliate. Let us not allow divisions to
> undermine the important work of inclusion in the blind community.
>
> Marilyn Baldwin
> Chairman
> Diversity Committee
> NFBF
> (407)810-0554
>
> If there are any typing errors in my document, please forgive them, and
> charge them to my hands and not my heart or mind.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
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