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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Association of Guide Dog Users Board Member<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> NFBofSC <nfbofsc-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>ms. j.l. bright via NFBofSC<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10:21 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of SC <nfbofsc@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> ms. j.l. bright <ms.jlbright@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBofSC] A thoughtful presentation titled The Invention of Whiteness<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in'><span class=s1>Hi There Federation Family,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>Have White people always been considered \u201cWhite\u201d?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>If not\u2014when did that social construct begin</span><span class=s2><b><span style='font-family:"UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody",serif'>?</span></b></span><br><span class=s1>Who introduced it?</span><br><span class=s1>And what was happening at the time that made such a construct necessary?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>We often talk about race as if it has always existed exactly as we know it today. But what if some of the categories we take for granted were created at a specific moment, for specific reasons?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>At a time when our country is experiencing deep division, social unrest, and difficult conversations about identity and belonging, these questions feel more important than ever.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>The DEI Committee of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina (NFBofSC) invites you all to a timely, thought-provoking conversation designed to spark reflection, insights, and meaningful dialogue.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><br><span class=s2><b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>📅</span></b></span><span class=s1> Thursday, January 29, 2026</span><br><span class=s2><b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>🕖</span></b></span><span class=s1> 7:00pm ET</span><br><span class=s2><b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>📍</span></b></span><span class=s1>via the NFBofSC\u2019s main Zoom room </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>- </span><span class=s2><b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>👉🏽</span></b></span><span class=s1> click <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09">here</a> to join</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>The questions raised\u2014and the conversa</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>tion shared in this space\u2014offer an opportunity to better understand one another during a time of social unrest. By learning together, we can begin to see beyond labels and assumptions and engage with one another more thoughtfully and compassionately.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>This event is hosted by the DEI Committee Co-Chairs, Janice Bright and Melinda Jones, who continue to create space for courageous and necessary conversations designed to move our Federation closer.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>Come curious.</span><br><span class=s1>Come open.</span><br><span class=s1>Come ready to think.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>In Solidarity,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>Janice Bright, MA OL</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>Chair | DEI Committee</span><br><span class=s1>National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s2><b><span style='font-family:"UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody",serif'>Zoom Information (NFBofSC Main Zoom Platform):</span></b></span><br><span class=s1><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>🔗</span> Zoom Link: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09</a></span><br><span class=s1><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>🆔</span> Meeting ID: 803 254 3777</span><br><span class=s1><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>🔐</span> Passcode: 124578</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p2 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal;min-height: 40px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s2><b><span style='font-family:"UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody",serif'>One-Tap Mobile:</span></b></span><br><span class=s1>+1 929 205 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York)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=p1 style='margin:0in;-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;font-stretch: normal;font-size-adjust: none;font-kerning: auto;font-variant-alternates: normal;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-numeric: normal;font-variant-east-asian: normal;font-variant-position: normal;font-feature-settings: normal;font-optical-sizing: auto;font-variation-settings: normal'><span class=s1>Dial in to join Zoom</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>