[nfbmi-talk] Cannon's reaction to Jernigan's 1971 comments.

[Elizabeth]

I guess the way you choose to respond depends on the reason why you sent him a message in the first place. If the reason why you sent him your message was to set up a dialog for future discussions, then I would say that you should set up a time to meet with him. However, if the reason for sending your message was something different, then perhaps you should address this in your response to him. I understand that direct talks with him have not worked well in the past, but if he is inviting us to the table, then perhaps we should think about meeting with him. It may not accomplish anything, but it shows that we are willing to work as cooperative partners.
 
However, since Pat Cannon works under the supervision of the Commission Board, or at least he should be according to P.A.  260, then perhaps it might be a good idea either to include the Chair of the Board with these meetings, or to meet with her instead of meeting with him. Personally, I would meet with the Chair of the Commission Board rather than with the Director, as I would like to see the Board take some kind of action against the Director. However, I do not know if other members in our affiliate feel the same way.
 
Hope this helps,
Elizabeth

 
> From: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 16:41:06 -0400
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Cannon's reaction to Jernigan's 1971 comments.
> 
> I have some ideas, but I would like to hear your ideas about how to react 
> to Pat Cannon's statements. Below is my message that I sent to him.
> 
> 
> 
> From: Larry Posont [mailto:president.nfb.mi at gmail.com]
> 
> Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 9:43 PM
> 
> To: Cannon, Patrick (DELEG)
> 
> Subject: Fw: 1971 Speech from Kenneth Jernigan
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Pat Cannon, read this.
> 
> 
> 
> In 1971 the leader of the organized blind movement in the United States
> 
> sent a message to the agencies serving the blind. This is what he said:
> 
> 
> 
> If you tell us that you are important and necessary to our lives, we reply: 
> It is true. But tear down every agency for the blind in the nation, destroy 
> every workshop, and burn every professional journal; and we can build them 
> all back if they are needed. But take away the blind, and your journals will 
> go dusty on the shelves. Your counselors will walk the streets for work, and 
> your broomcorn will mold and rot in your sheltered shops. Yes, we need you; 
> but you need us, too. We intend to have a voice in your operation and your 
> decisions since what you do affects our lives. We intend to have 
> representation on your boards, and we intend for you to recognize our 
> organizations and treat us as equals. We are not your wards, and there is no 
> way for you to make us your wards. The only question
> 
> Left to be answered is whether you will accept the new conditions and work 
> with
> 
> us in peace and partnership or whether we must drag you kicking and
> 
> screaming into the new era. But enter the new era you will, like it or not.
> 
> 
> 
> Kenneth Jernigan delivered that emphatic message at the 1971
> 
> convention of the National Federation of the Blind
> 
> 
> 
> From: "Cannon, Patrick (DELEG)" <cannonp at michigan.gov
> 
> To: "Larry Posont" <president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
> 
> Cc: "Luzenski, Sue (DELEG)" <LuzenskiS at michigan.gov; "Jo Ann Pilarski"
> 
> <pilarskij at charter.net
> 
> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 6:10 AM
> 
> Subject: Let's Talk Soon
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thank you very much, Larry, for sharing these comments by Dr. Jernigan.
> 
> I appreciate it and agree that agencies serving the blind must work in
> 
> partnership with the blind.
> 
> 
> 
> May I conclude that your sharing this message with me now signals a
> 
> willingness on your part to resume our conversations and meetings? I
> 
> sincerely hope so, Larry, and request again that you consider regular
> 
> meetings between the two of us, either in person or by telephone.
> 
> You've not responded to several attempts we've made to establish some
> 
> dates and times to do so and hope that you will either call our office,
> 
> toll-free at 800-292-4200, to speak with Sue and identify some possible
> 
> times, or propose some dates and times, via email to both sue and me,
> 
> luzenskis at michigan.gov and cannonp at michigan.gov.
> 
> 
> 
> We are clearly overdue for these conversations, Larry, and I sincerely
> 
> hope that we may connect soon.
> 
> 
> 
> Best always,
> 
> 
> 
> Pat
> 
> 
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