[Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info
Mark Tardif
markspark at roadrunner.com
Mon Sep 17 16:10:31 UTC 2012
Hello, Patricia,
It seems to me that your "two cents" are worth a lot more than that and that
your opinion is quite reasonable and valid. I think the areas where I have
a problem have to do with the idea that there are some misconceptions, one
of which is that experiencing blindness for the first time is somehow like
being a normal, functioning blind person, and using that as a means of
fundraising. I can tell you from experiences I had at summer camp, when we
had what were referred to as campers' days, during which counselors and
other staff were blind folded that this simply isn't accurate. I played the
camp nurse one such day, and the actual nurse was blind folded, and at times
absolutely terrified, and I had to calm her down. I suppose I'm exagerating
somewhat, but the point is that this experience for her was nothing like the
way I, as a functioning teenager, saw the world. I think if people are
fundraising for and with blind people, it would be more helpful for them to
actually talk with blind people, and better yet, attend NFB or ACB meetings,
and find out from real blind people what blindness is all about. Again,
just my two cents. LOL.
Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia A. Lipovsky
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 8:24 AM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info
Hello.
This probably won't set right with most, but I'm sorry, but I don't quite
see it that way. In my opinion, this has nothing to do with ability, but
more for someone to experience what it is like to do something without
vision. Its kind of like being pushed in a wheel chair to experience not
being able to walk. The more we can get the general public to understand
disabilities, the better, thus being able to move forward with our needs
concerning legislation etc., etc..
Just my two sense.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Tardif" <markspark at roadrunner.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 10:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] 2012-04 Dining in the Dark Resolution Info
> 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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