[nfbwatlk] Activists want world to stop using the 'R' word; Campaign deems term offensive and derogatory

[Mary Ellen]

We certainly are talking about social justice issues.  Unlike racism, which
has a huge component of hostility, the ignorance we face is almost always
well intentioned.  In some ways, that good will makes it harder for us to
call people out for their discrimination .  It sometimes even makes it
difficult for us to recognize discrimination when we face it.

Racism and ablism come about in part because of lack of or very poor quality
contact between the marginalized group and the society as a whole.  Sexism
is much more complex.  As a friend quipped, "Nobody will ever win the war of
the sexes because there's too much fraternizing with the enemy." 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jedi
Sent: May 27, 2011 11:54 AM
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Activists want world to stop using the 'R' word;
Campaign deems term offensive and derogatory

The activists are right about one thing though. The treatment of the
disabled in general is a social justice issue just as much as racism and
sexism are (for example).

Respectfully,
Jedi

Original message:
> I agree that becoming thin skinned and taking offense at everything is 
> an unproductive way to live.  That's one of my problems with some of 
> the convolutions many groups go through concerning language.

> I also believe strongly in public education.  Most people genuinely 
> want to treat others with dignity and respect.  (I exempt almost all 
> adolescent boys from this generalization. Grin!) Sometimes all of us 
> fail to treat others who are different from us in the way they would 
> like because of what we don't know about them.
> I remember volunteering at a Jewish nursing home and being served 
> roast beef for lunch.  I asked for a glass of milk and horrified those 
> around me.  I didn't know at that time that meat and dairy were not to 
> be served at the same time in a Kosher home.  A few people were 
> offended.  Others simply informed me about Kosher rules, which led to 
> an interesting discussion that taught me a lot.  Now I know that 
> there's no such thing as a Kosher cheeseburger.  I hadn't intended to 
> give offense; I just didn't know anything.  All of us are ignorant on 
> many subjects; we just differ on the subject where we're ignorant.  
> Being ignorant is not an offensive circumstance.  Deliberately 
> remaining ignorant does reflect badly on the person who makes that choice.
> Dr. Jernigan used to talk about being uninsultable.  His view is that 
> we should never take offense or feel personally humiliated by what 
> others thought or said or did about us.  If the ignorance we faced was 
> genuine not knowing, our job was to educate.  If policies or practices 
> based on ignorance did not change after education, our job was to use 
> whatever lawful means at our disposal to change those policies and 
> practices.  But taking it personally was never part of the plan.  He 
> used to say, "If a snake is about to bite you, you have to kill the 
> snake, but you should love the snake even while you're killing it."  
> Fat lot of good that does to the snake that gets killed, but it does a 
> lot of good for us to continue to love those who treat us badly 
> because of their misconceptions about blindness (or because of any 
> other reason when you get down to it.)  "Love the snake," is the bumper
sticker form of the Beatitudes.

> Two pieces of our literature come to mind when I think about this subject.
> Blindness: Is the Public Against Us is one.  The other is our 
> resolution on politically correct language.  Here are links for anyone 
> who wants to read or reread these items.

> http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/convent/banque75.htm

> http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/vodold/vsum9812.htm


> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On Behalf Of Rick Willison
> Sent: May 27, 2011 7:09 AM
> To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Activists want world to stop using the 'R'
> word;Campaign deems term offensive and derogatory

> I personally think that we live in a weak world where people are 
> looking for anything to be offended by.  It is a very interesting 
> Sociological experiment to take on.  If you go to other countries, 
> especially 3rd World countries, you will not find this politically 
> correct world.  You will not find a million lawsuits going on.  You 
> will just find people who are busy about their work and kids with 
> smiles on their faces.  Not all....but the majority.  It seems that we 
> are spoiled rotten brats here in America and throughout the western 
> world.  We have so much that we have no real appreciation for things.

> Personally, I value all of God's creation.  People are people and they 
> are going to make huge deals out of anything they can to bring 
> themselves attention.  I find it peaceful to just ignore them.  Again, 
> I will say, "It does not matter to me what others think of me!"  "None 
> of them created me and none of them can save me from an eternity in 
> Hell!"  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord and be defined 
> by what God says I am.  God does not create junk.  I am not a piece of 
> garbage.  I am not less of a man because of a physical or mental or 
> emotional defect.  I was created with a destiny andpurpose.  
> Therefore, I will do something great with my life. I will leave a 
> living legacey of hope and promise in my children and all who I spend time
with.

> I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13).
> If you don't believe me, just go to my website and see that I have no 
> fear because I serve the great and mighty God who conquered fear.


> Have an amazing day!
> Rick WIllison
> www.tjmi.net



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