[stylist] Doctors in the blind community

Thu Apr 2 18:57:20 UTC 2009

Jim:

Just for your information, Martin Luther King Jr. earned a doctorate in
theology.

Again, I don't know how you all speak.  On TV, in speeches, whatever.  I
have no opinions or experience to form any opinions in this regard.

But as for Martin Luther King, I've read many articles and books on  him, on
the civil rights movement, etc.  It is only very rarely that he's referred
to as Dr. King in print.  Reading his letters, I have never read him sign
himself as Dr.  The byline of all his articles and published speeches don't
have the title at all, and certainly not on the covers of his books.  

Now, about Mauer, please understand that there's no question of whether he
has done great service.  He deserves to be regarded in the highest esteem
possible.  It just so happens that my experience tells me that the way to do
this is to not use the title at all.  My experience tells me that the title
reduces one's credibility because if there'[s any titles it's to be Ph.D and
if you don't have that, using the title of Dr. without being a M.D. is
suspect and smacks of amateurism.

I don't want President Maurer to be viewed as an amateur.  We can disagree
on whether or not it makes him appear amateurish.  My opinion is that it
does, and I naturally wish to correct this problem.  But if you don't think
it cheapens his work and prestige; if you think the title enhances his
credibility, then you just defend the title, because it impresses you and it
works well for you.  I am against the title because it demeans and cheapens
a man who doesn't need any propping up.

John

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of James Canaday M.A. N6YR
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:52 AM
To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Doctors in the blind community

no,
I disagree with you sharply.

Dr. Mauer has poured his whole life into the organized blind movement.

by the way regarding  the "Dr. King" reference, I saw a black 
congresswoman on c-span just  tuesday make that reference.

at my vantage point I don't know whether martin luther king jr. 
earned his doctorate or whether it was honorary.  but in his case, 
the distinction  is without a difference as the idiom goes.
jc

Jim Canaday M.A.
Lawrence, KS

At 01:31 AM 4/2/2009, you wrote:
>Jim:
>
>Granted, doctor can ascend to the level of an affectionate kind of
nickname,
>not the kind between friends, but the kind fans confer to the people they
>admire and flock to see or hear or whatever.
>
>Ii could understand Dr. tenBroek's case.  Okay.  But the others?  The
>Braille Minitor mention ed Dr. over forty times, and that's really
unseemly.
>Don't you think so, too?
>
>John
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of James Canaday M.A. N6YR
>Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 12:05 AM
>To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [stylist] Doctors in the blind community
>
>John,
>personally I think you have a misconception about the use of Dr. and
>identifying the doctorate, whether honorary or earned.
>
>first, I know something about inferiority complexes, an out-of-date
>psychological construct, and our use of honorifics or titles does not
>spring from a perceived inferiority.  instead it is from a genuine
>desire to honor.
>
>have to disagree with angela, when I was in grad school, granted a
>while ago, I did address profs as "Doctor Smith" unless the prof in
>question told me to set it aside.  I did it because he or she earned
>it and I as a student felt it courteous  to recognize that, as it is
>part of that person's name.
>
>second, I think you are maybe getting caught up in the reading.  that
>is, as we express the titles as in TenBrook's case for example, there
>is even a reverence because of his leadership and sacrifice, much as
>in discussing the blacks' civil rights struggle you would refer to
>"Doctor King"  as for Martin Luther King jr.  and by the way I still
>hear blacks refer to him as "Doctor King."  and when they speak it it
>is reverence, pride, not an inferiority complex as you call it.  this
>is conveyed by the hearing of their stating this way of identifying
>"Doctor King" in a very proud voice often.
>jc
>
>Jim Canaday M.A.
>Lawrence, KS
>
>At 10:34 PM 4/1/2009, you wrote:
> >Lori:
> >
> >Don't you realize that using the Dr. actually dishonors them?  It makes
>them
> >look like wannabes, like teenagers in love with the idea of being a Dr.
>even
> >if it's not because of a real doctorate.  But I am sure they were great
> >people and deserve respect, but let me assure you that using the Dr.
title
> >is not the way to do it.
> >
> >John
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> >Behalf Of LoriStay at aol.com
> >Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 9:22 PM
> >To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> >Subject: Re: [stylist] Doctors in the blind community
> >
> >Dr. tenBroek's doctorate was earned in College.   Dr. Jernigan and Dr.
> >Maurer's doctorates are honorary, awarded by colleges for their work with
> >the blind
> >community.   Dr. tenBroek started the NFB, and gave as much if not more
> >service to the Blind community as the others.
> >All three of these men deserve their titles.   It has nothing to do with
> >inferiority or superiority but with service.   The titles are well
>deserved,
> >and
> >we use them as a mark of respect.   This is not to say that many of us
have
> >not
> >given as much service.   Probably we have.   But that's fine.   I don't
>need
> >
> >a Dr. in front of my name to tell me what I've accomplished.   At the
same
> >time, I'm not going to dishonor those who have one.
> >I hope this doesn't become a controversy!
> >Lori
> >
> >In a message dated 4/1/09 11:11:28 PM, johnlee at clarktouch.com writes:
> >
> >
> > >
> > > > I notice NFB's tendency to take pains to refer to people with
>doctorates
> > > > as
> > > > Dr.  Am I to read into this a kind of inferiority complex and if you
> >have
> > > > a
> > > > doctorate you make sure it is known and touted?
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >**************
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