Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!nih-csl!lhc!ncifcrf!haven!udel!wuarchive!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!David.Andrews From: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: NFB Message-ID: <15488@bunker.UUCP> Date: 6 Nov 90 14:05:57 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA Lines: 103 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 11584 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] TY> In a message Willie stated: TY> " What really interests me about your message, however, is TY> the "the Federation doesn't like them" statement. For some TY> reason, I notice that TY> a few of you keep leaving comments like that, and it sort of TY> sounds like TY> putting the cart before the horse to me! I mean, it appears TY> like you are basing your own opinion upon what the NFB says it TY> should be rather than vice-versa." TY> OK, Willie, I have tried to stay out of this one because it is TY> clear that I am TY> outnumbered here and I believe that those who have an irrational TY> dislike of the TY> NFB will not be swayed anyway. However, as an avid TY> Federationist I need to say TY> somethings. TY> 1. I have seen a lot of comments which indicate that the NFB TY> philosophy is TY> great but either the leadership or the people in general are TY> bad. That statement doesn't make any sense to me, the TY> leadership, is the leadership TY> because either it adheres to the philosophy of the people or TY> because it can TY> persuade the people to its point of view. Yes, the NFB has TY> elections. Further, TY> those who acknowledge that the NFB has brought about TY> positive change for blind people and, even most people who say TY> they don't like TY> us will acknowledge this, need to remember that that positive TY> change didn't TY> occur magically. It occurred from hours of hard work by TY> dedicated people. It TY> occurred by tactics that may seem militant to some but which are TY> necessary if TY> one is to evoke real change. I know our leaders personally and TY> can assure you TY> that Saturdays and Sundays when many people are sitting around TY> scratching TY> whatever, picking their noses, etc., our leadership is giving TY> up its time to TY> improve conditions. Let me assure you that I have given up TY> many a good Penn TY> State football game for the cause, many a not-so-good Eagles TY> game, and more than TY> a few hours I would like to be spending on hobbies which are too TY> numerous to TY> mention. TY> 2. Sihnce the philosophy of the organization is formed at TY> conventions which TY> are, regardless of popular opinion, democratic, and since many TY> matters are TY> discussed in full, it is logical that when that vote is taken it TY> becomes an NFB TY> position. Further, since we are a volunteer organization and TY> receive no pay for TY> the hours of work we do, it is logical that our motivation TY> needs to be a firm TY> belief in the philosophy, and the reward of seeing conditions TY> improve as that TY> philosophy is realized. It is also logical that some people TY> will Ted, As a Federationist, I would like to thank you for your articulate and thoughtful messages. I have felt that it gets pretty lonely out here sometimes trying to explain NFb philosophy. I am continuouly surprised at the amount and level of anti NFB sentiment and venom on this Echo. I find it difficult to believe that we are such bad evil people with such crazy ideas. There are enough of us, and enough of our ideas have and are entering the mainstream that we can't be carzy. I also don't agree with all stands, but I agree with more then I disagree with and I know that the NFB does all of us as blind people, good. I now work for the New Mexico Commission for the Blind and we are using a number of NFb philosophies and ideas to provide training to people. While we are not perfect, I see people getting far better training then I saw in any of the states I have lived in which include Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and North Carolina. I have talked at length to a number of people who strongly are gainst us. Often you can trace their hartred to one run-in with an individual in the NFB, or maybe they had a cause that they wanted supported. We unfortuantely can't take on everyone's cases, some because of limited resources, and some because they are not winable. Many of us have disagreements on this board from time to time, but we don't go off and hate each other usually and discount everything the other person says. Finally, I think that at times, some of our tactics make people uncomfortable. That is unfortunate, but without some discomfort and confrontation, there will be no change. Black people did not get anywhere by always going to the back of the bus. David Andrews ... Your Sound Alternative -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!David.Andrews Internet: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org