[nfb-talk] Thoughts On Joshua Lester's posts regarding Independence

[Buddy Brannan]

Hi,

First, read “The Nature Of Independence”, then come back.

Good.

So I have some thoughts. I’ve been thinking these in some form ever since the initial post about the Blind Boys appearance, or rather, the posts about it. These are things that rattle around my head from time to time anyway, but these posts have really brought them to mind.

First, Joshua Lester seems unhappy that the group of blind musicians go on stage with their hands on the shoulder of someone in front of them. I don’t know this group, but if these guys really are as old as all that, I think it’s important to bear in mind that they grew up in a different generation than we did. They were taught differently, they may have different expectations and values, certainly have had different training. Should we condemn them for this? I hear you say, “Yeah, but they could have gone back for more training, or need a better philosophy, or. …” So, OK, except they didn’t. They seem to be doing all right, I don’t see your records out there or your TV appearance, for example. They may not be doing things the way you do, but they’re getting things done. Look, this ain’t a perfect world we live in. We’re imperfect human beings. 

Here’s something I’ve learned over the years, and i really hate saying things like that because it makes me feel old. Everybody’s somewhere on his or her own journey. That place may not be the same place you are on yours. It probably isn’t. The thing is, we have to take people where they are, not where we think they ought to be. Sure, maybe we can help them further along on their journey, but it’s as likely that they’ll help us along on ours. Can you help someone be a better traveler, a more confident person, a better braille reader, a better cook, more outgoing, whatever? Maybe, but you won’t do it by bludgeoning them over the head. 

Maybe someone isn’ the “ideal blind person” in your eyes, whatever that happens to be. Let’s take some of our fellow Federationists from previous generations. I’m sure there are many who would, for instance, not travel anywhere alone, and only traveled in the company of a sighted family member. There was a time when I, too, looked my nose down on such. I’m glad I grew up, eventually. Does this make that person’s advocacy, or their work to make things better for those who followed him, any less valuable? It is, after all, the dearest hope of someone with a true heart for teaching that his student will surpass him. 

Does this mean that I believe we can’t, or shouldn’t, act in the interest of making things better for other blind people, or that I think we shouldn’t do all we can to improve the lot of blind people, because after all, everyone’s where they’re at? Of course not, that would be silly. It does mean, however, that not everyone will measure up to what you think is where they should be. That includes you, and it includes me. I fall short.Often. It means we should lead by example. We should lead gently, if firmly, and we should encourage, not browbeat or bully or belittle. NFB philosophy is an ideal. It is not a thing by which we should judge our fellow blind upon, then find them wanting when they don’t measure up. It’s something by which we should ourselves aspire to incorporate into our lives, and an example by which we should lead. It’s not a blunt instrument. It’s a thing that we grab with youthful enthusiasm and that we want everyone to have, and in that exuberance, we can push people away by our forceful “application”. 

So, I don’t know, that’s about it, really. Maybe not, and maybe there’s more I should say, but that’s about all I’m capable of saying right now. 
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Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY