[Ohio-Talk] A Thought Provoking Article in the January Braille Monitor Written By: Colleen Roth

[Cheryl Fields]

Are Conservatives Welcome in the National Federation of the Blind?
by Colleen Roth

>From the Editor: Colleen Roth has been a member of this organization
for more than half a century and now serves of the president of our
at-large chapter in Ohio. Although she has been active at all levels,
her primary interest and focus has been in helping people with
multiple handicaps. She once headed a group specifically designated
for this purpose, and she has adopted and acted as a foster parent for
many significantly disabled people. The words she says are backed up
by acts of her heart, and her profession of faith is matched by deed.

Throughout history the pendulum always swings, and when it is at
either extreme, those who lurk somewhere in the middle or at the
opposite end of the range can feel unheard if not outright excluded.
This is the concern that Colleen addresses, and reading her views may
require as much tolerance from those who hold different ones as she
has tried to demonstrate in reading recent items we have published.
Here is what she says:

I feel some concern that those of us who are conservative may be asked
to leave the NFB. I joined in 1972. I believed then and believe now
that blind people are a cross-section of society. I believe we should
all treat each other with respect and welcome those who join with us.

Personally, I am a very traditional Roman Catholic. I do not feel the
need to know someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. When I
read a book from NLS [The National Library Service for the Blind and
Print Disabled], I skip "descriptions of sex or profanity." I know
that some people are comfortable talking about sex. I am not one of
them. I believe that intimacy should be used primarily for
procreation, but I also know that many people feel differently. We
must remember that we all have different experiences and upbringings.

I believe that our blindness is something we share. I respect
everyone's right to express their opinions about who they are and what
they want, but I would like the same respect without being considered
uncaring, narrow-minded, insensitive, or politically incorrect.

In 1972 in Ohio, there were two chapters in many cities. One would be
predominantly White, and the other predominantly Black. I was one of
the people who worked to get one integrated chapter in each city. I
understand that many Black people still do not feel welcome in some
chapters, and I presume the same to be true for people of other races,
including those who are White. While every characteristic we have is a
part of our identity, none should be more important in our Federation
activities than our shared blindness. It is our focus. Other
characteristics that are important to us are those we should embrace
with others who share our challenges and goals. In our meetings we
should not hide them, but neither should we try to make them the focus
of our Federation activity.

The NFB has no room for bigotry. God made all of us, and we are
created equal. I believe our motto: security, equality, and
opportunity.

I do not want anyone to be unwelcome. I do not care what race you are.
Though I am a Catholic, I understand and have tolerance for those who
believe in God differently from me. I was astonished when the
president of the Maryland Affiliate said she was blindsided when a
prayer was said at a chapter meeting she attended. The majority of
people in the United States are Judeo-Christian. If you desire a
different kind of prayer, you might volunteer to lead it periodically.
I can honor that prayer, substituting the God I understand and the
trinity in which I believe, and I can do this without in any way
disrespecting or disrupting your genuinely offered prayer on behalf of
all of us.

Currently, our at-large chapter meets on Zoom. People come in and out;
therefore, we do not have a prayer. For over fifty years, our local
chapter had prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance included the phrase
“under God” before every meeting. You could choose to participate if
you wished, and I regret that President Othman was ever pressured to
be a part of something that made her uncomfortable in one of our
meetings.

We have freedom of religion in the United States. You can practice any
religion though, sadly, not everyone will react with the tolerance and
respect we all want in our country. If I lived in some Muslim
countries, I would not be able to practice my Catholic faith and might
endure torture or death. Praise be to God and our founders for making
this a country in which persons of any spiritual belief may worship as
called upon by their head, heart, and faith. Even those without a
professed faith are free to believe as they believe, and although my
soul would rest easier for them if they shared my faith, I’m not
called on to force my Catholicism on anyone. Some people participate
in communities of faith to learn about other religions and work
together so that blind people may be included in their faith
community.

My husband and I had several Black foster children with special needs.
We also adopted a profoundly disabled child whom we loved very much.
She was a gift from God, and we were truly blessed to have her.

We can all learn from each other and should be willing to do so. I
believe that we should be treated “equally.” I believe that our NFB
Pledge should continue to use the word “equality,” I believe that we
should be welcoming to each other and try to maintain good taste.
Having said this, let me be clear because this is not an easy path. I
cannot in good conscience go against the teachings of the Catholic
Church. I can avoid expressing my opinions in a way that could be
hurtful to others, but there are limits beyond which my faith will not
let me go. It is legal for people of the same sex to marry. This is
the law of the land, but it is not in keeping with the scriptures I
follow. For two people to be introduced as a married couple at a
Federation event, I understand, but if called upon, I will politely
ask someone else to do the introduction. My faith recognizes male and
female. If members of my Federation family believe differently, I will
use the name they prefer, but I cannot affirm the idea that one is
born into the wrong sex or that it is changeable. At the same time, I
am not required by my faith to publicly question or ask them to
question who they are. My interest is not in arguing; no doubt I hold
views about things with which they would not concur, but none of this
is as important as being unified to fight what comes at us as blind
people to be discussed and resolved. I will focus on our similarities
and see that our differences don’t detract from the common goals we
share.

Now comes what I ask of those who disagree with my faith: Please be
sure that the beliefs you or others may call progressive, liberal, or
enlightened do not exclude me. Please do not assume that my beliefs
are already so well known that for me to state them is an attempt to
suppress the things you hold dear. I should not dominate the space,
but neither should I give up all rights to it. Tolerance is an easy
word to say, but it embodies a concept that is harder to live. For the
sake of blind people and our vehicle for action and change, let this
be one of our dearest creeds: I will honor the right of others to hold
different views from mine, and they will in turn honor mine. We will
accept our differences and concentrate our work on our similarities. I
may not be able to agree with you, but I will not be disagreeable in
my conduct with you and about you. I will treat you as I ask you to
treat me, and I will keep first and foremost our common commitment to
help one another.

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-- 
Wishing You All the Best,

Cheryl E. Fields


A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human
life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will
never sit.
--D. Elton Trueblood