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

[Joe Sontag]

For reasons already stated, I think you should concentrate on the Commission Board, with Mr. (uncle) Pat included in the meeting, 
but not permitted to drive it.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Posont" <president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>
To: "NFBofMichigan List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 16:41
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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