[nfb-talk] why is it important to join an organization of theblind?

Tue Jan 17 02:30:35 UTC 2012

That's especially true if it is barbed-wire.

Seriously, I have also noticed that people do not join things these days. 
It's not just NFB.  And no, I don't count "occupy wallstreet" as a 
lagitamate organization either.  For the most part we are not informed as 
well as we use to be either.

Regardless of the reason, the best thing one can do is just keep plugging 
away.  Public outcry does change things.  And the smaller your voice to 
begin with, the more important it is to work together.

Loren

-----Original Message----- 
From: Mike Freeman
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 8:18 PM
To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] why is it important to join an organization of 
theblind?

Chris:

Before answering your question, permit me to observe that society today is
not as into joining organizations to solve problems as it was when I was
young (1960's). and, no; I don't count Occupy Wall Street as an organization
as it fails to articulate a coherent program of problems and solutions.
(grin) with the advent of so many channels of communication, it is my
observation that people tend to fragment and only talk with those with whom
they agree -- politically and socially. So you can expect some resistance to
joining organizations as the norm these days is not to be so inclined. I
also think that we aren't as conscious of history and civics these days
(that's where NFB shines) so many people don't realize what organizations
have done and that banding together to petition the government for redress
of grievances is as American as apple pie.

That being said, I think it's pretty easy to answer the question "Why
Organize?" And the answer will answer many of your subquestions. Why
organize? Because we're a minority and minorities must advocate for
themselves collectively to be heard. One might just as well ask why there's
a NAACP or LULAC. While it's true that blind persons are diverse, we all
have the characteristic of blindness in common and as long as society treats
the blind differently from the sighted when it makes no sense, we'll need to
advocate for ourselves and this means organizing.

To me, saying that one doesn't like politics or the supposed bickering in
organizations or doesn't agree with either NFB or ACB is simply either an
excuse to do nothing or evinces an abysmal ignorance of either organization.

I bet most people don't realize that Jacobus tenBroek once said that
generally the only thing one gets by sitting on the fence is sore anatomy.
(grin)

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 5:37 PM
To: NFB Talk List; NFB Blind Talk list; NFB NABS list
Subject: [nfb-talk] why is it important to join an organization of the
blind?

Fellow Federationists,

As I have become more and more active in the blind community and have met
more and more blind people, I notice that a lot of blind people are not
affiliated with any organization of the blind, for one reason or another.
Some say they are put off by the political arguments between the NFB and
ACB; some say they don't want to be "tied" to one organization; some say
they don't agree with either organization's philosophy and don't want to
identify themselves with either organization and their philosophy, and there
are other reasons as well.  I try to explain to them the value of the
Federation in my life, and how joining an organization of the blind connects
you with a diverse network of resources, who can help answer almost any
question they would have related to blindness.  I also try to explain to
them that if they had any problems, being a part of an organization would
help them with their advocacy efforts; the more people you have advocating,
the more effective the advocacy is.  But they still don't want to be
affiliated with an organization.  So I want to get your thoughts on these
questions; why do you think it is important to be a member of an
organization of the blind? Of what benefit/value is an organization to its
members, and to blind people at large? Some people have said to me, "Sighted
people don't have any organizations dedicated to their concerns as sighted
people; why should I join an organization dedicated to blindness?" Still
others have said, "Don't you (Federationists) want to be equal with sighted
people? If so, then why do we (blind people) need to be organized in some
kind of organization exclusively of and for the blind and people associated
with the blind?" These are some interesting questions; what would your
responses be to those people? I look forward to hearing your thoughts on
this!
Thanks,

Chris

"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight.  The real
problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that exists.  If a
blind person has the proper training and opportunity, blindness can be
reduced to a mere physical nuisance."
-- Kenneth Jernigan

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