[Perform-talk] Purpose

Tue Jun 9 20:22:26 UTC 2015

Thanks, Masha,

I think what makes the pursuit of the performing arts division so
important is that the blind musician is such a stereotype already.  Of
course there are many stereotypes of blind people in general, but one
that most average sighted people probably recognize is the blind guy
playing on the street for change or tuning a piano because he have
such a heightened sense of hearing.  Society is used to reacting is
this way to blind musicians, and unfortunately those in other
performing disciplines get stuck dealing with it too.

I've actually had classmates make comments to me that show resentment
for my skill in aural skills before.  Granted I've relied more on my
ear because I didn't start out with braille music being supported, but
blind people can't even be good at musicianship without it being
attributed to blindness.  It's not my fault I can hear the difference
between a major or minor 6th, and I really don't think my blindness
made me that way.  It's also like, and I'm sure this has probably
happened to a lot of us as well, when I tell people I don't have
perfect pitch and they either act disappointed like I've failed as a
blind person, or think I actually do have it because I used relative
pitch to find the note I needed.  In my freshman year that happened
quite a few times, and someone said, "I thought all blind musicians
had to have perfect pitch to make up for not seeing the music."...
even faculty at my university dispute with me about this because I'm
able to play things back to them in lieu of sight singing tests pretty
accurately.  I'm not a wonderfully awesome blind musician, just
someone who is using their ear training that I spent 2 years working
on like everyone else in my class.

On 6/9/15, Masha Sten-Clanton via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Kaiti, I couldn't have said it any better!
>
> Masha
>
>
> On 6/9/2015 3:51 PM, Kaiti Shelton via Perform-talk wrote:
>> The performing arts is one of the many other pursuits we know of where
>> blind people have to gain recognition as "Normal people."  The
>> expectation that a blind person can be a successful singer, actress,
>> or performer in another capacity is hampered by the societal
>> perceptions of blindness itself.  We don't want to be stuck only being
>> expected to play blind character roles, or always being touted as
>> wonderful whenever we sing.  If a performance is good we want to be
>> recognized for the practice or musicianship that went into it rather
>> than the fact that we pulled it off without sight.  A lot of this
>> bleeds over to the media of course, because the vast majority of
>> articles I've seen about blind performers pull at inspirational
>> heartstrings of readers rather than educate them about blindness and
>> how performers are like anyone else on the stage.  Of course I'm using
>> terms like stage and such because my personal experiences lie there,
>> but this is true for artists who showcase their talents in other
>> arenas as well.
>>
>> I remember a few years ago Julie put it really nicely in her board
>> speech.  Blind performers are so under and misrepresented in this
>> industry and this needs to change.  Jordy might have the official
>> purpose on hand, but that is the interpretation I have of it.
>>
>> On 6/9/15, Dennis via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Being a DJ falls under the deffanition of a performing art.  Blind DJs
>>> are
>>> not that common, so it is always good for blind DJs to join.
>>>
>>> ****
>>> Dennis R. Sumlin, Personal Development Coach, Motivational Speaker.
>>> Communication for the self
>>> WWW.LifeThroughStrenth.com
>>>
>>> Sargent at Arms.
>>> Harlem Toastmasters Club
>>>
>>> Board member
>>> Human Services Division of the National Federation of the Blind
>>>
>>> Starting a new website? Want your own domain? Siber Name can help! Get
>>> your
>>> dream name and hosting for dream prices.
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Darian Smith via Perform-talk
>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2015 1:20 PM
>>> To: Performing Arts Division list
>>> Cc: Darian Smith
>>> Subject: [Perform-talk] Purpose
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>    I’ve always been a casual observer of the  performing Arts Division,
>>> having had friends and acquaintances  who have been members of the
>>> division.
>>> for a while I was unsure of     whether or not the division was a
>>> division
>>> that I could become involved with as the only sort of musical talent I
>>> believe I have is my DJ skills.
>>> Granted my mixing is a  hobby   and is a talent  I am proud of, but I am
>>> not
>>> quite so sure  amongst the actors, and singers and  instrument players
>>> that I fit here.
>>> Also, Every division has a purpose within the organized blindness
>>> movement
>>> of the NFB, so I  wonder how  you all might articulate the purpose of the
>>> division in the NFB? how this division raises expectations of blind
>>> people?
>>> of society?
>>>    Thanks so much!
>>>     Darian
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>>
>>
>
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-- 
Kaiti