[Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info

[Mark Tardif]

Hello, Lenora.  I was one of the ones not aware of this resolution.  I 
think, however, that it is a good one.  Obviously, promoters of this kind of 
activity have major stereotypes about blindness and the abilities of blind 
people.  For example, the idea that blind people cannot cook for large 
numbers of people, and the idea that somehow blind people must have a hard 
time with their table manners, because we cannot see when or if a piece of 
food ends up on the table.  I could go on and on.  I think maybe the worst 
of these misconceptions is that eating in darkness for the first time ever, 
is somehow like blindness for someone who has lived it for many years.  In 
fact, those of us who have been blind for many years no better.  But the 
worst thing by far, is these promoters, who probably have never talked with 
a real blind person, shamefully use this approach to get people to feel 
sorry for blind people and therefore provide funds for their agencies.  That 
is unethical and atrocious!!!



Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Lenora J. Marten
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 5:58 AM
To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info


Hey everyone,

For those who are not aware, NFB passed a resolution at National Convention 
in Dallas that condemns the
practice of Dining in the Dark.
You will find a copy/paste of the resolution below.


Resolution 2012-04
Regarding Dining in the Dark


            WHEREAS, the real problem of blindness is not the loss of 
eyesight but the widespread public misconception that the blind are not 
equal to the sighted in society; and

            WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind categorically 
rejects the myth that the blind are not equal to the sighted; and

            WHEREAS, programs of the National Federation of the Blind teach 
and promote a positive understanding of blindness, that the blind are normal 
and equal members of society, and that blindness does not mean inferiority; 
and

            WHEREAS, an activity known as "dining in the dark" is being 
promoted and used to raise funds by having sighted people experience 
blindness by eating in the dark; and

            WHEREAS, an article published in Time magazine entitled “Dining 
in the Dark” assures would-be diners that the cook “works in a well-lit 
kitchen”; and

            WHEREAS, the Dining in the Dark 
website--www.dininginthedark.org--states: “you will pick from a specially 
prepared menu (designed by a sighted local ‘star’ chef)” and "In darkness 
everyone becomes equal. Our opinions can't be molded by dress, mannerisms, 
or makeup as none of it can be seen.  You learn that without sight your 
other senses become more acute”; and

            WHEREAS, these statements lay bare the underlying philosophy of 
dining in the dark, that sight means superior ability, and that, when sight 
is removed in the dark, the blind and the sighted are equal: Now, therefore,

            BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in 
Convention assembled this fourth day of July, 2012,  in the city of Dallas, 
Texas, that this organization condemn and deplore the use of dining in the 
dark in a manner that diminishes the innate normality and equal status of 
the blind in society; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization pursue an active 
policy of opposition to dining in the dark activities and events, including 
use of media and public protests, whenever and wherever such activities and 
events exploit blindness and blind people based on a demeaning philosophy.



Lenora J. Marten
NFB-Florida Secretary
FOPBC President
NFB-Jax Chapter Secretary
bluegolfshoes at aol.com
904-777-5976 / 904-229-9554


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