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

Sun Jun 6 23:22:29 UTC 2010

I would agree with Elizabeth.  I would never even entertain meeting with Pat
Cannon.  Anything he says cannot be taken as truthful, so what value would
listening to him be for us.  I do believe that we would be better served by
meeting with the Commission board and getting response form them.  Perhaps
some of what we say will be heard by the board.  I know Cannon could care
less about what we have to say.  He believes that his opinion is the only
one tht counts and he will do whatever is necessary to make everyone bow
down to his edicts.  He is not the king and he is not our ruler,and we will
have our say and we, the blind of Michigan, will prevail over this little
man. 

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Elizabeth
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 5:47 PM
To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Cannon's reaction to Jernigan's 1971 comments.

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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