[nfb-talk] Opinion on CAIR Action

[kaye zimpher]

Very nicely written and so true.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: <valerie.shirley at gmail.com>
Cc: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 9:54 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] Opinion on CAIR Action


> Dear Ms. Shirley,
>
>    I was interested to learn of the recent developments in Minnesota
> regarding Muslim cab drivers and the alleged claims that said drivers were
> not accepting blind customers with guide dogs.  I, being a guide dog user
> myself, was appalled to hear of the situation but trusted the matter would
> be resolved amicably.
>
>    Yet part of its outcome confuses me.  Why are these companies providing
> free transportation to service animal handlers?  Let me hasten to add that 
> I
> find the gesture superbly generous.  In my experience I have never heard 
> of
> a company extending such an amenity to rectify a wrong, but I believe the
> kindness of the gesture has outweighed the genuine root of the situation. 
> I
> will not speak for the people affected by the circumstances.  Perhaps this
> was an outcome the local blindness community advocated, but from an
> outsider's prospective, it would appear the gesture is only applying a
> bandage to the problem.  To extend such an immense gesture is to admit the
> problem previously existed in some shape or form, but I would like to know
> if there are more concrete steps to ensure the situation is not revisited.
> On a practical level, blind people want to be treated equally, which would
> include equal expectation to pay a cab fair just as anyone else.  The
> drivers rely on payment to survive just as any other business profession,
> and I wonder if this measure would not antagonize the employees rather 
> than
> make them see the error in the handling of their service.
>
>    I appreciate your taking the time to read my note.  Again, please see 
> it
> as a puzzled inquiry more than an ungrateful challenge.  I appreciate the
> company's willingness to make up for past faults, but do not forget that
> such a well-intentioned hand can further submit the blind to a custodial
> environment the blind have worked hard to overcome.  We do not want to be
> seen as pitiable subjects.  We want to pay into society with equal vigor.
> If time allows, I would look forward to your thoughts.
>
>          Respectfully,
>
>          Joe Orozco
>
> "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."--Emiliano
> Zapata
>
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