[nfb-talk] Domestic violence Division?

Wed Oct 3 08:01:42 CDT 2007

Hello folks,

I know that we have had self-defense classes at previous conventions.  While 
I think knowing how to defend ourselves is crucial, I see no reason why we 
can't attend classes in our own communities. There are numerous defense 
courses offered through crime prevention programs.

I also don't think we need a domestic violence division.

I know that at at our convention in Atlanta, Dr. Maurer proposed shortening 
our convention by a day or two, which I think is a great idea.
 I know we are not making any changes right now, but I hope we do so 
eventually.

Liz Campbell
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]" <powerst at dcpcepn.nci.nih.gov>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 5:56 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Domestic violence Division?

> Hi Mike B and Others;
> I think a defence class at National would be a lot more benifisial than
> having a committee on the matter.  It is not a subject we need to do
> research on such as electronic cars.  It is a topic that the blind need
> to teach the blind.  This will give those who feal they need to learn
> about the subject the ability to learn and those who think they already
> know enough, can take another class.
> I am highly interested.
>
> Long ago, I had a reader and he introduced me to a friend.  The reader
> then left the room.  His friend then asked me if I had any merajuana.
> It scared me to death.  I do not remember if I responded, but I know I
> got up and walked out of the room.  If I had stayed, who knows what
> might had happened.  He also might have been a nice person.  We can not
> put our lives at stake.
>
> Another thing, even though our cane is our mobility aid, it can also be
> used as a means of protection.  Especially with a folding cane, a blow
> to the lower extremities can nock a man out long enough for you to get
> away, at least I have heard.  Thankfully I have not needed to try it.
>
> Terry Powers
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Bullis [mailto:mabullis at hotmail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 6:08 PM
> To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Domestic violence Division?
>
> Sheri's point is a valid one about there being two subjects here.  I
> responded to the mugging issues and was frankly not paying close
> attention to the subject line of the message.  So, the other question is
> whether NFB is conscious of domestic violence issues and should there be
> a division for the matter?
>
> My observation and reading suggest that one of the main factors in being
> vulnerable to domestic violence is a self image that allows it.  To use
> an antiquated phrase, it's usually a very low self image.  Given that
> most blind people are told as they grow up that they are second class,
> incapable of managing their lives, that their decisions should always be
> subordinated to those of others--particularly the sighted, and so on, I
> would suspect that blind people fall into a class that has more domestic
> violence and abuse than the norm.
>
> One of the things we strive to help blind people come to understand, as
> part of our philosophy, is that they are not second class and their
> decisions are valid and important.  I know of no other organization in
> the blindness field that has more material on self worth and competence
> than the NFB.  It is at the core of everything we do.  More than any
> accusation made of us is the one that we are to militant about our
> rights and about the rights of people who are blind.
>
> Each of us as blind people daily struggle with old attitudes and
> incorrect images of blindness in our own lives.  Not only do we struggle
> with society, we struggle within ourselves as we seek to weed out
> incorrect beliefs we have.
>
> Having said all this, I would still say that a Division isn't an answer
> that appeals to me.  I would though like to see a Monitor article from
> somebody who feels that the greater awareness they have gained from the
> Federation has helped them recognize an abusive situation and stand up
> for themselves.
>
> We always struggle in the Federation with the issues we take on.  If we
> focus, for example, on domestic violence, the casual reader will jump to
> very wrong conclusions.  The thinking will go like this.  "Of course
> they're victimized more than others, after all they're blind."  Or:
> "Poor blind people.  They can't even take care of themselves in a
> relationship."
>
> So, I would be uncomfortable with newspaper articles by kind but
> misguided reporters on how blindness makes people vulnerable to domestic
> violence.  I would however hope that we are all aware of situations in
> our affiliates and do whatever we can to assist anyone in seeing
> themselves as better than to receive abuse, whether they be sighted,
> blind, female, male, or the member of some other minority class.
>
> Mike Bullis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Sheri Wells-Jensen
> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 5:17 PM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Domestic violence Division?
>
> Mike and all,
>
> It's important to separate the two kinds of violence we're talking about
> here since they need to be addressed in very different ways:
>
> I have no clear idea whether blind folks are more or les likely to be
> mugged than sighted folks in general: probably about the same if you
> take this as a measure of the number of pedestrians robbed or attacked
> by strangers rather than the number of people in general who may or may
> not be found walking as opposed to driving cars. An argument can be made
> that a self-defense class (or several) might help in these cases.
>
> The other kind of violence is systematic and occurs within the confines
> of an intimate relationship: between spouses or lovers for example.
> there are stats to show that there are classes of people who are more
> vulnerable here:
>
> anyone, for example with limited transportation options or who is under
> economic stress.  A self-defense class isn't the answer in these cases.
>
> It's not my intention to start a discussion of what causes domestic
> violence in general. Rather, I meant to ask whether the NFB might
> already be thinking about this issue since eric broughtit up.
>
> Peace,
>
> Sheri W-J
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michael Bullis" <mabullis at hotmail.com>
> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 4:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Domestic violence Division?
>
>
>>A new division is seldom the answer to what ails.  You rightly point
>>out the  options such as  self defense training.  I think it also comes
>
>>down to  good  training.  Blind people who walk around with their heads
>
>>down and  hesitantly  are probably more vulnerable to attack than
>>others.  I think that sighted  people who walk around like this are
>>also victimized more often as well.
>> Often local police forces have self defense training which involves
>>how to  keep onesself from looking like a victim or a target.
>>
>> Again though, I don't think the problem of blind people being mugged
>> has ever been demonstrated to be greater than among the sighted
> population.
>> So,
>> I would suggest that a monitor article describing the problem and some
>
>> solutions might be in order.
>> Mike Bullis
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>
>> On Behalf Of Sheri Wells-Jensen
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 3:36 PM
>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Domestic violence Division?
>>
>> Hello, Folks,
>> If we mean domestic violence as it is usually defined (violence
>> between intimate partners), it's certainly the case that women with
>> any kind of disability are more vulnerable than general statistics
>> might suggest.  I'm not sure if a division as such is what is needed,
>> but it would be nice to know if the NFB has any kind of resources for
>> women caught in such relationships.
>> Peace,
>>
>> Sheri W-J
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Eric Calhoun" <eric at pmpmail.com>
>> To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 1:18 PM
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] Domestic violence Division?
>>
>>
>>> Is there any interest in starting a Domestic Violence Division of the
>
>>> National Federation of the Blind?  Too many times we hear of blind
>>> people get accosted, either because they have had no self-defense
>>> training, or people feel that, "i won't _ever happen to me!"  Women
>>> are the most vulnerable for getting mugged.
>>>
>>> Earlier, Nfb of Florida members were horrified to learn that one of
>>> their leaders was being robbed and attacked.
>>>
>>> Any comments from the membership please?
>>>
>>> Eric
>>> -
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk
>>
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>
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