[Nfbf-l] picking and choosing NFBpolicies andconstitutional requirements

[Sherri]

In one city, I don't want to name it, because I'm not sure, there actually 
were 2 separate chapters of 1 group developed along racial lines. I don't 
know if the 2 groups still exist. Very sad!

Sherri

Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sylvia" <slyfox at embarqmail.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2014 12:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] picking and choosing NFBpolicies andconstitutional 
requirements


Brian,
While the topic of dual membership maybe a controversial topic, I believe it 
by no means has any impact on the Tallahassee Chapter's demographic.  You 
state that the the two blind organizations are divided alone racial lines, 
however the Tallahassee Chapter of NFB is 38 members strong where 22 are 
black, 15 are white and one Hispanic.  I don't know what the make up of the 
other organization is but I do believe that the NFB is fairly diverse. 
Perhaps if you wish to champion the dual membership stance, you would be 
better off using a different argument  Also when the Tallahassee 
organizations have mutual concerns, we have worked together in the past to 
get things done in our city.  Please do not perpetuate this falsehood.
Thank you
Sylvia


----- Original Message -----
The NFB rule prohibiting dual membership apparently is still
controversial from the numerous emails recently discussing  this topic.
I believe that this exclusionary membership rule  has an additional
problem, at least with regard to  its impact on the blind community of
my small southern city of ‘Tallahassee. Unfortunately, here the chapter
membership in the two blind organizations are divided primarily along
separate rracial lines. Although I do not believe that either group has
any purposeful discriminatory intent in their membership
recruitment,and I have no knowledge of the historical roots which
caused this result, from the viewpoint of a newcomer to these two
beneficial and well intentioned associations, I was surprised to
encounter such apparent racial segregation still in existence.
I was involved in civil rights litigation in North Florida 30 years ago
when purposeful racial discrimination was more prevalent. Although the
conservate Supreme Court has recently eroded some of the legal
principals of discrimination, I believe that this NFB rule of exclusion
may have a discriminatory effect and impact,  possibly in violation of
Title 7, of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Further, this exclusionary
rule  creates an unnecessary barrier for these two admirable
Quasi-public blind organizations progressing towards more eventual
intergration of their social/politcal goals, purposes, and activities.
The exclusionary rule disallowing dual membership will perpetuate
existing de facto segregation of the Tallahassee blind community, and
does not promote any rational purpose.
I hope that the NFB will re-evaluate its rule in light of this
obviously racially discriminatory impact which penalizes blind persons
choosing to socially interact with both of these diverse groups for a
common harmonious purpose. In fact, there might be substantial benefits
if dual membership was encouraged. Obviously, many countries easily
manage legitimate dual citizenship without much problem, and I am
certain the NFB can similarly reasonably accomodate dual membership
without jeopardy. The NFB and the FCB should promote sharing, caring,
and diversity as well as independence,, equality, and freedom, and
eliminate rules which inhibit achievement of these goals.
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