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

[Buddy Brannan]

Hi Eddie,

I think it’s safe to say that most of us went through this overzealous phase. Fortunately, most of us got over it. 
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



On Nov 18, 2013, at 9:30 AM, Eddie Salcido <rednexican at socal.rr.com> wrote:

> Buddy, I couldn't have said it any better myself.  This post of yours should
> be required reading for those of us in the organization who happen to be
> much too zealous for our own good.  I used to be this way.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Buddy
> Brannan
> Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2013 5:47 PM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: [nfb-talk] Thoughts On Joshua Lester's posts regarding Independence
> 
> 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. 
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
> 
> 
> 
> 
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