[Perform-Talk] The Diversity Controversy

Tue Mar 1 16:21:25 UTC 2016

Hi all,

Thank you Darian for bringing this up!

First of all, Bridgit, beautifully put.  I agree with you 100%.
People who believe that the arts have no power haven't truly examined
history and culture.

In terms of diversity, I think our entire country gets it wrong.  Look
at us, we can't even decide if we've had what we would consider
strong, blind representations of celebrities in Hollywood.  I could
point out that Stevie Wonder has been a supporter of Braille literacy
and has spoken out about it throughout his career.  There are those
who believe he is a shining example of a successful blind celebrity.

Part of our diversity problem stems from something very real:
systematic oppression.  If you've heard the term systematic racism,
this is the idea to which I refer here.  If you are African American,
disabled, etc, then it is likely that various facits of our society
have placed you at a disadvantage.  Think about the African American
part of town, where the schools aren't very good, but no one will step
into change them or bring business to that part of the community.
Consider your own education as a blind person.  Is it not expected
that blind people (as well as other disabled persons) read, learn, or
function slower than our peers?  You know, Braille is slow, and we
can't be expected to do complex science and math.

Our country's solution to systematic oppression?  Diversity,
inclusion, and equity.  Sounds great, right?  Until you look back on
the conversation we have been engaged in on this list.  How can anyone
learn about diversity if only a few people from a group represent that
portion of the population?  How can we bluster on and on about
diversity without considering an entire person rather than simply the
group they represent?

I am a member of the disabled community, but all I do, all I am does
not reflect upon the rest of that community.  I might make a decision
because I am an academic, a woman, or have a specific financial
background.

One thing we do in the National Federation of the Blind is educate the
public on the real problems of blindness.  We do not sugar coat; we do
not waffle or shy away from the truth.  I think society could learn a
few lessons from us.  While this country concentrates on being
politically correct, protecting some groups of people, and excusing
the ignorance of those who should know better, the NFB works to change
attitudes, exposes those who discriminate against the blind, and
encourages its own to rise above the attitudes we face every day.
Diversity offices are more concerned with protection and statistics
than education and changing perceptions.

The NFB uncovers these systems that have placed blind people at a
disadvantage.  Sometimes we work with representatives of these systems
(Google, Microsoft), and sometimes we show the world just how
discriminatory these systems can be by protesting at Amazon or calling
out workshops that pay subminimum wages.
The most positive way to educate people is the arts.  Unfortunately,
people can also learn stereotypes through artistic means.  Maybe one
of our goals as a division is to consider how we can bring about
change in this area.  How can we work together with the rest of the
federation to come up with some answers to the diversity problem?  I
will tell you now that the answer does not lie in our silence.
Blindness, as Bridgit said, is only one part of the diversity
landscape, but it may be a significant part, especially if we can be
the leaders of a movement that effects the entire country.

On 2/29/16, Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> That's right. We can't totally speak for him.
>
> Rob Kaiser
> Email;
> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Darian via Perform-talk
> Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:09 PM
> To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Darian <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Perform-Talk] The Diversity Controversy
>
> Bridget,
> Interesting point and I'm kind of torn on it
> On one hand, I don't necessarily think he's the best example of what blind
> people are truly capable of, but he is an example of what blind people might
> have going on.   does he speak for every blind person? No. is he a model for
> every blind person? No. And that's completely fine to me.
> Chris rock isn't the example of every black person, nor is Barack Obama and
> I think that's fine too.
> I completely understand that people might see him and get this unfortunate
> portrait of a blind person that sticks with them for the rest of their lives
> but let's also balance this with the factt that the gentleman has achieved a
> degree of success that not very many people (blind or cited) just go about
> achieving.
> Do rich cited folks have people dress them? Probably so. If you think about
> it, if you're rich enough to afford to do so, a person can get someone to do
> just about anything. Is it a matter of being rich and being able to pay
> someone to do it? Is it being lazy? Is it something else?
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Feb 29, 2016, at 11:16 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Perform-talk
>> <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Just a joke. And not sure if Wonder is the best example of a blind person.
>> Saw an interview with him recently where he talks about people "dressing
>> him" everyday. I'm totally blind, live with a blind partner and dress
>> myself everyday, including picking out my own clothes, and I like fashion.
>> Yes, someone helps me initially shop, and I may Face Time someone and ask
>> if a particular top goes with a bottom, or if certain accessories go well
>> with an outfit, but I don't require daily intervention for my dressing
>> needs. I also do my own make-up.
>>
>> Bridgit
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Rob Kaiser via Perform-talk
>> Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:59 PM
>> To: 'Performing Arts Division list' <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Rob Kaiser <rcubfank at sbcglobal.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Perform-Talk] The Diversity Controversy
>>
>> You are right about those 2. But, it has been a long time since any other
>> blind people have gotten any awards such as the Oscor or Grammy.
>>
>> Rob Kaiser
>> Email;
>> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Perform-talk
>> Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 10:44 AM
>> To: 'Performing Arts Division list' <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Perform-Talk] The Diversity Controversy
>>
>> Ray Charles? Stevie Wonder?
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Perform-talk [mailto:perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Darian Smith via Perform-talk
>> Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:20 PM
>> To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [Perform-Talk] The Diversity Controversy
>>
>> Hi all,
>>  I’m sure some of us on this list watched the   Oscars last night and if
>> not probably have heard much around the topic of diversity  in  Hollywood
>> (or lack there of).
>> One can easily say that there  is no shortage of truly talented actors,
>> directors, producers, etc in the entertainment business and that their
>> talents are not confined to the packaging it may be presented in.
>> In other words, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and much of anything
>> else doesn’t make the performer.
>> Do you think that Blindness is represented at all? fairly? If you don’t
>> think it is, do you believe there will be a time that Blindness is
>> represented fairly? What do you think will need to be done to see that a
>> blind person wins an academy award or a grammy or whatever award
>> recognizes them at the pinnacle of their craft? ?  Do you think there will
>> be a time that a blind person will be recognized for their ability and
>> considered amazing because of their  natural talent?
>>
>>
>>
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-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division,
Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor. 7