[Mt-blind] Mt-blind Digest, Vol 17, Issue 4

[RJ / KJ]

I find it interesting how both Myrle and Bernice chose to interpret Jim
Marks' initial post. 
Right away they lept to a conclusion about his purposes, and were defensive
about the organization's name.

Tiresome, very tiresome.
And it brought up memories for me.
Made me sad, really. The old hot buttons among some members about the
Montana group, the MAB.  Stifled us from much growth, I feel.   

I would rather hear a discourse on the ideas Jim had, about the ways to do
the work, to increase the involvement, to accomplish more things.  To have a
population of Montana more informed, and know that good things are
happening.

Instead it sounded like just the old petty defensive way of being.  A
blockade of misrepresentation.  A paranoia, a bogged down worn trail.
Someone could probably analyze it to death, but whenever outsiders have
heard this group yammer and argue, many have just walked away, shaking their
heads.  Leaving much of the good work those persons could have contributed
had they felt more welcomed and invited.

No disrespect intended.  Ever.  None.  But please, do listen.

It is just me, making just an observation. Like a casual observer.  Well,
maybe not as casual as say, some might be. I used to have more invested.
Maybe I still do.  But I do not mix it up like I once did.  An unkind letter
from someone, as my graduation in 1998 neared, still haunts me, remembering
tears in the September Louisiana sunlight


Anyway... 

"Doing Business As."  (CBA)
That is what they call it, when you use another name, other than the legal
name.  That is what radio stations do nowadays, too.  Here in Bozeman we
have like 3 or 4 stations all calling themselves KBOZ  But they have another
legal name.  

Or I guess it could be called a "nickname."

But the real thing, I think, is not the name.  It is the notion of
self-identity.  
Who and what we are and what we do.
Talking, listening, reaching out, offering ideas, making motions, and
getting the good word out to those who do not yet know what good work there
is yet to be done. That is the why of collective action, shared purposes.

Just for a fresh look, pasted below is Jim Marks' original post on this
thread called "NFB of Montana."

Rik James
Bozeman
Some of you know who I am.  And I'm glad to call you friend.
Thanks for listening.

>From Jim Marks....   November 8, 2007:


Someone asked me off line why I sometimes refer to the Montana Association
for the Blind (MAB)( as the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of
Montana.  The reason is simple.  The MAB is Montana's chartered affiliate of
the NFB.  Just like chapters are part of the MAB in that they are chartered
by the state organization, the state MAB is part of national.  I know that
some MAB members feel strongly about the NFB.  Some see the NFB as a threat,
and the feeling is really just that, a feeling without the merit of facts.
Fact is, the MAB is the NFB.  The charters prove this.  We ought to be proud
of our state group, and we should feel the same for our national.  Also,
there is a very practical reason for affirming our relationship with the
NFB.  Blind people need the name recognition in our advocacy to improve our
lives and the lives of blind persons who follow us.  The NFB makes a huge
difference in my life and the lives of all blind Montanans.  For example,
right now the US Congress is considering a law that will provide accessible
textbooks to blind and visually impaired college students.  Guess where this
law comes from.  If you say the NFB, you would be right.  There are many
other examples of how important the NFB is to blind Montanans.  I know that
the fear of the NFB is based much on the high expectations for the blind.
Those who do not share the high expectations often bristle at the uppity
nature of the NFB.  If you look closely at who opposes the NFB, you will see
people who really do not believe in the abilities of blind people.  This is
my experience, at least.  Let me hasten to say that the NFB is not perfect.
No organization or institution is.  But the NFB is a solid vehicle for
change, and goodness knows that we blind Montanans need change.  I am very,
very proud to be part of all three aspects of our organization, the
national, state, and chapter parts.  And that's why I like to refer to our
state organization with the name, the NFB of Montana.



Jim Marks
blind.grizzly at GMail.com