[nfb-talk] Youth Empowerment

Sat Oct 21 17:17:08 CDT 2006

Generation X?

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alan Wheeler" <awheeler at neb.rr.com>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Youth Empowerment

Okay, a slightly unrelated question.  If you are (as I am) 41 years old, are
you still considered a baby boomer, and if not, what are you considered?

I asked because your question made me think of that when you mentioned the
generation(s) in between.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hope Hein" <hmhein at verizon.net>
To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 10:35 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Youth Empowerment

> This is a good topic. Is there a way to include the blind adults who are
> in between say the generation of the 60's and the youth of today? For
> example: I just joined the local chapter of the NFB. I had been a member
> in the past about 25 years ago and was not very active. I now would like
> to be active. I like the idea of the Science camps and the youth slam.
> Could the NFB incorporate programs for adults as well? Just a thought.
> Hope
>
> -----Original Message-----
> .From: "Tina Hansen"<thansen at quik.com>
> .Sent: 10/20/06 4:44:44 PM
> .To: "NFB Talk Mailing List"<nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> .Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Youth Empowerment
> .
> .This is an excellent discussion, and it explains why I'm wanting to see
> more
> .of our stuff made available as mp3 downloads: young people are so dialed
> in
> .with their iPods, and if we can give them some meaningful content, they
> .might be able to gain a better understanding as to why we're here. The
> .Kernel Books are a perfect example of this, especially since they're
> .designed to be read as individual stories that state a common theme and
> are
> .packaged up in these books.
> .
> .All this has had me thinking about the impact of the media on our
> culture.
> .Our culture is so used to things coming in 30-second sound bites, thus
> .causing one to ask for immediate results. I must admit that I struggle
> with
> .this myself, since my digital conversion project is taking longer than I
> .want, partly because I don't have the funds to pay a studio. But I
> digress.
> .
> .I see two schools of thought on how to package our information and ideas:
> .one relying on what has worked for us in the past, including our
> literature
> .and speeches. These are valuable, and if some of these young people are
> able
> .to read or listen to and think about the ideas, they can understand our
> .message. These should not be discarded just because they're too long in
> the
> .eyes of young people used to sound bites. They need to have a chance to
> sit
> .and reflect.
> .
> .The other school of thought argues that the only way to attract attention
> to
> .your issues is through an event with a lot of flash, spectacle and
> fanfare.
> .Because young people are used to MTV, X-box, video games and the like,
> you
> .absolutely have to ppunctuate your remarks with loud music and flashy
> .visuals just to keep them interested. Without the extra spectacle, they
> .won't stay interested.
> .
> .They're used to being entertained, and if you present your message in a
> .Music Video format, this view argues, they'll listen. Otherwise, they'll
> get
> .bored. They won't sit and read a speech, but they will sit and watch a
> .5-minute video. Thus, anything belonging to the past should be thrown out
> .the window.
> .
> .The danger, though, is that you have to make certain you don't compromise
> .your message just to draw in numbers. Thus, I believe we need to work
> with
> .both schools of thought and try to find a way to meet them in the middle.
> I,
> .for one, can see both sides and want to draw both on the past and the
> .present. We need to use our literature, but we also need to find creative
> .ways to reach out to our young people in language they can understand.
> .
> .The science academies and the upcoming Youth Slam are steps in the right
> .direction, but I also believe we can find other creative ways to reach
> our
> .youth. It may involve a DVD where youth are the focal point, and we might
> .want to find ways to explain our philosophy in language youth can
> .understand. It may involve some of our members writing songs that can
> .communicate to youth, or it may involve ideas I just can't think of right
> .now.
> .
> .There are also those who argue that the only way to draw a crowd is if
> you
> .hire a big celebrity to be a part of your event, and I fear that our
> culture
> .is heading down that path. While I hope we haven't gone past the point of
> no
> .return, I sometimes fear for the worst.
> .
> .As I think about this, I'd encourage anyone interested to read an article
> by
> .Dr. Jernigan on The Future of Education Innovation: Panacea or
> Pandemonium.
> .I have this article as a Word Document, which I can send to anyone
> .interested. I also have it as an mp3 file, but if I sent it, it would
> take
> .forever. So, if anyone is interested, they can ask and I can send the
> Word
> .file to them. Otherwise, you can find it in our chronicle, Walking Alone
> and
> .Marching Together. That is not on our new web site as of yet, but I hope
> it
> .will be. Although this piece was written in 1969, I believe it's still
> .timely in the main, and I believe it should make anyone think. It
> certainly
> .has made me think, and if anyone wants to read it, I think you'd be
> stunned.
> .
> .Any thoughts? Thanks.
> .
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