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

[Joe & Flo]

Where have you been, Rik? When I first joined MAB you were very active and I 
learned to rely and agree with your thoughts.
Now I find I still agree with you all the way. Thanks. I am enjoying the 
cnversations going on now . Seems we are finally weighing the trivial 
against the important issues.
Regards, Flo Nelson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RJ / KJ" <d28rik at msn.com>
To: <blind.grizzly at gmail.com>; "'Montana Association for the Blind List'" 
<mt-blind at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 1:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Mt-blind] Mt-blind Digest, Vol 17, Issue 4


>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
>
>
>
>
>
>
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