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

[Toni King]

Hello,
Very well said and thank you.
Toni
Original message:
> 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


>> _______________________________________________
>> Nfbf-l mailing list
>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Nfbf-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/markspark%40roadrunner.com

>> _______________________________________________
>> Nfbf-l mailing list
>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Nfbf-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/plipovsky%40cfl.rr.com


>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2437/5273 - Release Date: 09/17/12



> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbf-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/tkk%40samobile.net

-- 
Check out my blog
www.samobile.net/users/tkk/

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature.... Life 
is either a daring adventure or nothing.
   Helen Keller, The Open Door (1957)