[nfbwatlk] drive in custodialism

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi all,
I don't think whether or not somebody "means well" is an appropriate
gauge of the suitability of their behavior. After all most of the
folks who get out of their cars, drag us across the street, etc.
really believe they are doing good and mean to do good.
However, in Don's case I think the passerby's behavior was relatively
innocuous assuming that the woman drove away after providing the
information. While the info may have been unnecessary, I assume her
shouting it didn't directly interfere with Don's ability to cross the
street safely. I have much less tolerance for actions that actually
threaten my ability to get across the street safely, such as folks
shouting directions at me that may or may not actually lead where I
want to go, folks honking their horns, folks attempting to mess with
traffic patterns, folks stopping in the intersection so I have to veer
around them, folks attempting to physically maneuver me in a direction
I may or may not actually wish to go, etc.
When judging a sighted person's interaction with me, I try to consider
both their intentions and the effect their behavior actually has. If
somebody puts me in harm's way while trying to help, by distracting me
or interfering with my ability to pick up on traffic cues or by
redirecting my travel without actually knowing where I want to go,
then I will let them know their behavior is not welcome. If someone
just offers a little bit of information I don't need but doesn't
actually pose a dangerous distraction, then I generally just let it
slide. Many people still don't understand how we do gather information
and how their attempts to help can actually interfere with that
process. I think it's a good idea for us to try and educate them the
best we can, including by being frank when they cross the line.
Arielle

On 12/11/14, Jim Portillo via nfbwatlk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hmmm.  People might disagree with me on this, and if so, that's cool.
> I'm not sure I see anything wrong with what happened, Don.  I don't think
> it's custodialism for someone to have done a nice act, considering it's a
> street the way you described it.  You were still paying attention and using
> your judgment.
> I think that sometimes, we might misinterpret or be overly-sensative to
> someone giving us information or that little word of help.  From what you're
> describing, she meant well.
>
> Now, if she had completely stopped her car, gotten out, and dragged you
> across...Then I'd be concerned.
>
> Jim
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Don
> Mitchell via nfbwatlk
> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 7:59 PM
> To: 'Mike Freeman'; 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: [nfbwatlk] drive in custodialism
>
> This was a new one for me. I live in a house that backs up against a very
> busy city street. The street is four lanes 2 north and 2 south with a median
> between them. I have been crossing this street twice a day for over 30
> years.
>
> Because this street is busy and there are no lights: I usually cross two
> lanes and listen at the center median and cross the second two when it is
> clear.
>
> Imagine my surprise, today, when as I waited on the medium a car stopped.
> The driver rolled down her window and said to me: “You can go after I leave
> it is clear.”  I did not like to trust her, but she was right.
>
> Don Mitchell
>
>
> ---
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