[nfb-talk] National Federation of the Blind Comments onSaturdayNight Live Segment

Ray Foret jr rforetjr at comcast.net
Mon Dec 15 22:35:31 UTC 2008


Indeed!!!  Furthermore, let me remind us all that this is by no means the 
First time that SNL has done this to us.  Remember 1988 and the tax thing. 
If I recall correctly, the skit involved a  blind guy getting interviewed 
for a job; at least, that was the idea.  But, you never saw such a sorry 
specimen of a potential job applicant; sorry for himself through and 
through.  I'm sure others can recall the details better than I; but, you get 
the idea.

Sincerely,
The Constantly BAREFOOTED Ray
Phone or Fax::
+1 (985) 360-3375
e-mail:
rforetjratcomcastdotnet
Skype Name:
barefootedray

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Freholm" <mfreholm at unbridledaccess.com>
To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 4:22 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] National Federation of the Blind Comments 
onSaturdayNight Live Segment


The description of the skit leaves out quite a bit.  I don't know how to
describe the actor's portrayal of the governor's expression.  It was cruel
to say the least.  And he persisted with it throughout the skit.  And it did
not end with that portion of the segment.  Two or three times after his part
was over he came back out and blocked the camera with the "newscasters"
calling out directions that were not followed.  His face, with that stupid,
confused look on it blocked the shot nearly completely as everyone laughed
at the blind guy who couldn't figure out where to go.
My girlfriend says I shouldn't get offended.  She doesn't understand.  I'm
not taking this personally.  I'm angry for the blind kids who are being
raised in a world that has pitifully low expectations for them.  I'm angry
for blind people who can't get jobs they are more than qualified for because
society believes us to be incompetent.  I'm angry for the blind woman who
can't get services from a fertility clinic because they say a blind person
can't be a good parent.  Blindness is not a tragedy but these situations are
indeed tragic.  When a show as popular as SNL so cruelly and heartlessly
makes fun of us, the world is watching and laughing and the lies are
perpetuated.  We deserve better.
Michael K. Freholm

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of John G. Heim
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 4:07 PM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] National Federation of the Blind Comments onSaturday
Night Live Segment

My opinion ion this is about the same as my opinion about the reaction to
the movie "Blindness". I think it's counter-productive to get huffy. Instead

of criticizing SNL, the NFB should have seen it as an opportunity to educate

the public.  Calling the skit an "attack" is not going to do any good.

Can you ever make fun of blindness?  Is that ever funny? Here's a link to a
description of the skit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/nyregion/15skit.html?hp

It says the skit started with the actor portraying Gov. Paterson rolling
around the set in a chair. It says he attempted to shake ands and missed. It

says he was holding a chart up side down. It says he blocked the camera
shot. I have to say, I've done the equivalent of all those things. I kind of

think that is funny.

On the other hand, you shouldn't make fun of people for something they can't

control. It's embarrassing to find out you're blocking the shot when
somebody is trying to take a picture. When you make fun of that, you have to

do it in a way that shows that you get that. If not, it's not funny, it's
just cruel.

It would have been way funnier if Governor Paterson had been depicted as
competent  in spite of his disability. Well, better than the guy from
Illinois anyway. Paterson might not be able to tell which side of a chart is

up but he's not so stupid as to try to sell a Senate seat when he knows he's

already being investigated.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Freeh,Jessica (by way of David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>)"
<JFreeh at nfb.org>
To: <david.andrews at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 12:45 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] National Federation of the Blind Comments on Saturday
Night Live Segment


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Public Relations Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org



National Federation of the Blind
Comments on Saturday Night Live Segment





Largest Organization of the Blind Criticizes Attack on Blind Americans



Baltimore, Maryland (December 15, 2008): Chris
Danielsen, spokesman for the National Federation
of the Blind, said: "The biggest problem faced by
blind people is not blindness itself, but the
stereotypes held by the general public about
blindness and blind people.  The idea that blind
people are incapable of the simplest tasks and
are perpetually disoriented and befuddled is
absolutely wrong.  This misconception contributes
to an unemployment rate among blind people that
stubbornly remains at 70 percent.  That is why
the National Federation of the Blind is
disappointed that Saturday Night Live chose to
portray Governor Paterson in a comedy routine
that focused almost exclusively on his
blindness.  Attacking the Governor because he is
blind is an attack on all blind Americans-blind
children, blind adults, blind seniors, and newly
blinded veterans returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan.  The National Federation of the
Blind urges the producers of Saturday Night Live
to consider the serious negative impact that
misinformation and stereotypes have on blind
people before continuing in this unfortunate vein of humor."




###




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