[Nfbmt] A ridiculous Question

[Rik James]

I am appreciating what the NFB legislative team is doing. I am looking 
forward to our trip to Washington, to be part of a collective voice to 
express our dismay and disgust at what is, and has been going on for much 
too long for our fellow blind persons.

What we will ask them, the Congressional representatives to do is important. 
For us, together and for each of individually, I guess I feel like I need to 
get my head together and be informed.

And to be able to boil it down into a few concise and understandable sound 
bytes. Because that is what we will have in the way of time.

Go around the room, if you please, now, fellow Fedearationists.

Speak your mind now amongst ourselves.

Sing the Dress Rehearsal Rag.
(Oops, sorry! I drifted in to my music world for a moment, with that Leonard 
Cohen song title.)

What do you each know about the history of the minimum wage in America?
In the general sense, I think this is valuable to understand.

What are the big bullet points of that history, that have led us to right 
now in time?

History. All around us. Surrounding us.
And the role we play, today, in that history.
The future and the present. Unraveling all of it.
That is what occupies part of my mind, as I try and see about what I would 
like to be a part of in Washington at the end of this month.

I wish I felt more optimistic. I have been following our Congress with 
horror and dismay in the years since last I went on this advocacy 
pilgrimage.
And so it makes me rather a grim conversationalist, when sitting around 
talking. Because I worry that we are all of us, sighted, blind and whatever 
in a very rough patch for democratic principles, and anyone without a huge 
money sack of lobby professionals, controlling the pie slicing in America.

But I let that rest. Are you glad?

But here is the next little thing I have to say. That beyond those few 
moments with a congressmen or one of their staff, there will be time with 
one another, us in the National Federation of the Blind, from Montana, and 
other state affiliate members around the nation, once again. Anything is 
possible. Especially when we remain as we are, and continue to evolve and to 
work together.

And that is also precious. Don't you think?

I just am hoping now that by that time the weather will cooperate with us, 
too. For our travel needs. It will be what it will be. But I wish for it to 
be smooth sailing, smooth flying, and a waltz on concrete that is not so 
dreadfully slippery as it is here today in my home town.

Peace Love Joy.
And man the barricades. We will not go back.
As Doctor Jernigan and others have chanted lo these decades now for our 
rights for equality and justice, and a fair shake at everything anyone with 
complete normal eyesight has.

Rik


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