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From: Ted.Young@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Ted Young)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: NFB
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Date: 2 Nov 90 04:00:07 GMT
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Index Number: 11454

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message Willie stated:
"     What really interests me about your message, however, is the "the
Federation doesn't like them" statement.  For some reason, I notice that
a few of you keep leaving comments like that, and it sort of sounds like
putting the cart before the horse to me!  I mean, it appears like you
are basing your own opinion upon what the NFB says it should be rather
than vice-versa."

OK, Willie, I have tried to stay out of this one because it is
clear that I am outnumbered here and I believe that those who have
an irrational dislike of the NFB will not be swayed anyway.
However, as an avid Federationist I need to say somethings.

1.  I have seen a lot of comments which indicate that the NFB
philosophy is great but either the leadership or the people in
general are bad.  That statement doesn't make any sense to me, the
leadership, is the leadership because either it adheres to the
philosophy of the people or because it can persuade the people to
its point of view.  Yes, the NFB has elections.  Further,
 those who acknowledge that the NFB has brought about positive
change for blind people and, even most people who say they don't
like us will acknowledge this, need to remember that that positive
change didn't occur magically.  It occurred from hours of hard work
by dedicated people.  It occurred by tactics that may seem militant
to some but which are necessary if one is to evoke real change.  I
know our leaders personally and can assure you that Saturdays and
Sundays when many people are sitting around scratching whatever,
picking their noses, etc., our leadership is giving up its time to
improve conditions.  Let me assure you that I have given up many a
good Penn State football game for the cause, many a not-so-good
Eagles game, and more than a few hours I would like to be spending
on hobbies which are too numerous to mention.

2.  Sihnce the philosophy of the organization is formed at
conventions which are, regardless of popular opinion, democratic,
and since many matters are discussed in full, it is logical that
when that vote is taken it becomes an NFB position.  Further, since
we are a volunteer organization and receive no pay for the hours of
work we do, it is logical that our motivation needs to be a firm
belief in the philosophy, and the reward of seeing conditions
improve as that philosophy is realized.  It is also logical that
some people will disagree with that philosophy and, as philosophy
is what should keep one in any organization, those people will
probably leave.  No, not everybody in the NFB believes in all
policies to the same degree, but probably most of us believe in
most of the policies or we wouldn't be there.  I have never
understood how people can continue to belong to a Church when they
disagree with many of its major tenets.  By the way, I believe that
all blind people, whether they belong to us or not and whether they
realize it or not, have benefited from our efforts.

3.  One other comment that I have heard a lot is that we are
radical.  I disagree.  Politically I am a conservative, but I find
no conflict with that position and standing on a picket line if
necessary to prevent a blind person from being discriminated
against on a job, get a restaurant to comply with dog guide laws,
etc.  Radical would be to demand more than equal opportunity and
treatment, and it is quite consistent with conservatism to believe
that all people should have equal treatment and opportunity.  Let
me stop here to accommodate the need to stay within message
lenths.  TedIt is also logical that some people will disagree with
that philosophy and, as philosophy is what should keep one in any
organization, those people will probably leave.  No, not everybody
in the NFB believes in all policies to the same degree, but
probably most of us believe in most of the policies or we wouldn't
be there.  I have never understood how people can continue to
belong to a Church when they disagree with many of its major
tenets.  By the way, I believe that all blind people, whether they
belong to us or not and whether they realize it or not, have
benefited from our efforts.  3.  One other comment that I have
heard a lot is that we are radical.  I disagree.  Politically I am
a conservative, but I find no conflict with that position and
standing on a picket line if necessary to prevent a blind person
from being discriminated against on a job, get a restaurant to
comply with dog guide laws, etc.  Radical would be to demand more
than equal opportunity and treatment, and it is quite consistent
with conservatism to believe that all people should have equal
treatment and opportunity.

Let me stop here to accommodate the need to stay within message lenths.
Ted

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