[Ohio-talk] NFB and ACB

[David Cohen]

This is one of the best emails I have had the pleasure of reading
since joining Ohio Talk.

On 4/19/15, Nicole Poston via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Well, I too am a member of both organizations.  I think  for me, I agree
> with some aspects of each organizations philosophies....and  disagree with
> others.  I'm kind of that way with politics as well, I  guess....in that, I
>
> don't hold a hard party line.   I think you can be  a part of both if you
> are
> willing to respect and appreciate each organization's  beliefs, strengths,
> and what they can "bring to the table"....as I  personally see merit in
> both.
> Just my thoughts!
> Respectfully,
> Nicole
>
>
> In a message dated 4/18/2015 9:52:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> ohio-talk at nfbnet.org writes:
>
> Hi  all,
>
> One of the things I've been working on this semester, and talked  a
> little bit about on the list recently, is an organization for  students
> with disabilities and allies on UD's campus.  My partner in  crime in
> this is another blind student, and it is interesting how things  have
> worked out.  We seem to have very similar attitudes about  independence
> and are in agreement on how to work to make disability less of  a taboo
> topic of conversation on campus, but I'm a Federationist and she's  an
> ACB member.  It's interesting because sometimes in conversations  we'll
> dance around mentioning the different organizations.  For  example, the
> other day she said, "I went to a conference in October  and-something
> about BSVI."  I know it was the ACB convention, so I'm  wondering why
> there needs to be the secrecy about it.  I doubt she's  intentionally
> doing it-it's probably passed down through the  generations.
>
> I'm guilty of this, too.  Though I have not been shy  about my
> allegiance and have specifically said things like, "I heard this  at an
> NFB thing," I have not done it as much as I normally would.  I  am also
> guilty of not wanting to do anything with the ACB.  Until Dr.  Maurer
> made a comment telling me I should apply for ACB scholarships at  the
> last conventions I never applied simply because I didn't agree  with
> the organization's approach.  I also heard horror stories of  NFB
> people being announced as "The other camp" as they entered  ACB
> functions, and didn't want to be treated like that so I never  thought
> of attending anything they sponsored.
>
> It really got me  thinking about how the organizations are still at
> odds with each other  today.  It's funny, too, because when I've
> mentioned things like, "We  could do something for Meet the Blind
> Month," the reaction is just like,  "Oh, an NFB thing."  I wouldn't
> quite describe it as disappointment,  but definitely something along
> those lines.  While I personally don't  agree with the approach the ACB
> takes as an organization, I won't judge  someone who does.  I know a
> few people who have had membership in both  organizations
> simultaneously and like them.  I don't think I've ever  met a full ACB
> person, though, so this is something new.  I really  like her and her
> attitude about things is very similar to mine, so this is  puzzling me.
> I would love to use opportunities in the club to promote  things like
> Meet the Blind Month, or use a fundraiser to possibly get some  funds
> for BELL as a service event, but in this instance I feel obligated  to
> keep it neutral.  Thoughts?
>
> --
> Kaiti  Shelton
> University of Dayton 2016.
> Music Therapy, Psychology,  Philosophy
> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
> Sigma Alpha  Iota-Delta  Sigma
>
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