[NFBF-L] Fwd: Washington Seminar

Tue Mar 22 01:46:36 UTC 2022

Marilyn,

I have pondered your letter and the various responses, because I was in shock that someone would find what you said to be out of line or offensive. You are one of the most elegant, sweetest, wonderful individuals that go out of their way to make everybody feel welcomed and comfortable when they are in your presence. So, I don’t know who felt uncomfortable with what you had to say, but it could have been resolved with having a simple conversation with you or any other member on the diversity committee. I am just at a loss for words reading your letter and what it had implied. 

Nothing you said, was out of line or misleading at all. It was no different than us having A member on the call who either works for the military or has served in the military when we had our conversation with representative Brian mast office. This is a gentleman who relates better to those who are in the military or who work for the military, because that’s his background and what he is familiar with. Therefore, you stating that there should be someone on the call that represents repres representative Demings district and looks like her, should not offend anyone. I am just so upset that you have had to deal with this foolishness for no apparent reason. 

I am a blind woman that was a single parent, therefore, if one of the senators or representatives was a young single mother, that is something that I can relate to that individual as I was the same. In addition, I am multiracial of Native American and Italian, and my family is Native American, Italian, African-American and Irish. Therefore, if we are speaking with someone who is multi racial, that is someone who looks like me. Again, I am just disturbed that we are even having to comment on something like this and that it has been blown out of extreme proportion, when we simply could’ve had a conversation. The diversity committee meets every month, and  this is something we could have discussed during that meeting. 

Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please do not let this stress you out, as this is frivolous for no reason. You did nor said anything that was out of line nor offensive. We simply want to make the best impact to our representatives when we are talking about topics, and if that means, we find individuals that look like them, can relate to their personal story, and live in their district, this is what we do. We all come together as one family of the national Federation of the blind of Florida and we share a common bond of blindness. Therefore, we need to take that common bond of blindness and and move forward, and not let things such as race, religion, sexual orientation, political views etc. blind our judgment from the goal at hand and what we need to do as blind Floridians. Please know that I stand with you, I support you, I love you and I am here for you. 

Thank you
Nicole

Nicole D. Fincham-Shehan
President 

Treasure Coast Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Florida 
Home Phone: 561-366-7841 
Cell Phone: 410-493-4461 
Email: treasurecoastnfb at gmail.com

On Mar 21, 2022, at 9:10 PM, MARILYN BALDWIN via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Thank you to Sherri, Tashara and Kathy. When this situation was brought to my attention, I was shocked. I told President Martinez that perhaps I could write an apology letter and talk with our Diversity Committee. I have no knowledge of who was upset and genuinely hope they accept my apology. I must say, that I do not feel that this was an offense that needed correction, only a conversation to explain my comment,  that (comment) by the way is often used in the field of Diversity and Inclusion. Thank you ladies for responding to my letter to the list. 

Sincerely,
Marilyn Baldwin 

Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 21, 2022, at 8:52 PM, Sherri Brun via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Marilyn,
>  
> Your statement was most eloquently put.  I was not aware until I read Kathy Davis’s e-mail that you were “asked” to write a letter of apology.  I would like to know why it was felt that an apology letter was necessary?  As Tashara said in her reply, what is the difference of stating that an African-American male or female who happens to be blind might be a more appropriate speaker to present one of the issues to Congressman Demings, who also is African-American than it would be to say that a Veteran would be appropriate in speaking to another veteran on a specific issue.  Your reply was beautifully stated.  And let me say that knowing you for over 30 years, since the day we first met when I was coming back on the bus with my two small children from my mom’s and you were so helpful that I knew you had lots to offer the blind community.  That is why I persisted until you came to your first NFBCF chapter meeting and look what you have accomplished since then.  I value you as my friend and as a member of the NFB family.  Thank you for being you and being a strong leader of the NFB of Florida.
>  
>  
>  
>  
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> Sherri Brun
> flmom2006 at gmail.com
>  
> NFB Central Florida Chapter Secretary
> Newsline® volunteer
> For Newsline Questions, Phone:  1-844-827-7371
>  
>                                 The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations
> of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. 
> Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality
>  
>  
>  
> From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of MARILYN BALDWIN via NFBF-L
> Sent: Friday, March 18, 2022 10:29 AM
> To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: MARILYN BALDWIN <commmdb at aol.com>
> Subject: [NFBF-L] Fwd: Washington Seminar
>  
>  
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: MARILYN BALDWIN via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Date: March 18, 2022 at 9:27:16 AM EDT
> To: NFBF-L at nfbnet.org
> Cc: MARILYN BALDWIN <commmdb at aol.com>
> Subject: [NFBF-L] Washington Seminar
> 
> 
> 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.
>  
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> Sent from my iPad
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