[stylist] question about philosophy

[Donna Hill]

Hi Bridget,
I agree with you, but then again, I use social media so can't be trusted 
to know the finer points of federation philosophy. My feelings are that 
if the sighted public does something, why shouldn't we. Many nonprofits 
and causes use money jars when they do their own versions of Meet & 
Greet. Visit a table for the Elizabeth Coleman Race for the Cure (breast 
cancer) for instance and you will often find people selling products and 
accepting donations.

It ruffles my feathers when suggestions are made that we should all be 
doing this or that or be labeled as inferior representations of 
federation philosophy. If you accept that blind people are just like 
everyone else, then differences in approach and opinion follow.

Anyway, just my two cents.
Donna

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On 8/20/2010 12:47 AM, Bridgit Pollpeter wrote:
> Hey gang,
>
> I have a question I would like to present to the list.  This was debated
> tonight during my Chapter meeting, and I must admit, I am a bit upset.
> Some implications were made about me and others of my Chapter, and I
> wish to find out what others think.
>
> Our Chapter participates in 3 to 4 Wal-mart meet and greets during the
> year to raise funds and educate about the Federation.  Wal-mart (for
> those who do not know) allows groups and organizations to set tables up
> outside their entrances, and we are able to promote our cause/event, and
> sell items if we choose.  Our chapter always, always has a product such
> as candy bars or pop corn balls to sell along with NFB brochures.  Many
> of us stand (not sit) interacting with the public, handing out
> information as well as trying to sell whatever item we have for that
> particular meet and greet.  Back in May we actually sold pink carnations
> as it was right before Mother's Day, and in August we sold popcorn
> balls, which were popular.  On our table are the brochures and a money
> jar so we can put the money into it.  Some people choose to just donate
> funds even though we will offer the product regardless.
>
> Tonight, during my chapter meeting, a couple of members stated that
> doing these events were against NFB philosophy.  They felt that by
> having a "money jar" (even though we always have and sell a product) was
> putting a bad image of blindness out there.  They implied that those who
> have no problem with the money jar do not have a strong NFB philosophy.
> It was suggested that donations of any kind are wrong, and we should not
> take said donations because it gives people a negative image of
> blindness.
>
> I fail to see how the use of a "money jar" becomes the focal point of a
> chapter event when we (the members) are interacting and conversing with
> the public, selling a product and promoting the NFB and what we stand
> for.  If we simply sat there asking for money, I could see the argument,
> but this is not the case.  I am in fact against just standing on the
> street and asking for money, but we have never done this.  To say that a
> jar of money some how over shadows the fact that blind people are
> socializing, handling and collecting money, moving about doing
> everything by ourselves, just makes me livid that some would imply we
> have a bad philosophy that goes against what the Federation believes.
>
> I would like to see what others think.  I have internalized the opposing
> argument, and I still feel the argument is silly.  I must admit that I
> am tired of narrow conceptions of what we must look, sound and act like
> in order to fit a certain image.  If getting off our asses and
> interacting with society is wrong just because we use a jar as a vessel
> to hold money, then go ahead and say I have a bad philosophy.
>
> I really am interested to know what others think.
>
> Bridgit P
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