[nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane andAmericanIdol

[RJ Sandefur]

That is so true, You hit the nail on the head! RJ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Milissa Garside" <milissa.g79 at gmail.com>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 8:37 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane 
andAmericanIdol


> Hello All,
>
> I auditioned for American Idol back several seasons ago and was not 
> chosen.
> I do know of other blind people who also auditioned and did not make it. 
> Now
> clearly all of us blind people are not so bad that at least one of us 
> should
> have been chosen.
>
> As an Auditioner, I got to see a lot of things that happened back stage. 
> For
> example, most of the time, the producers of the show choose people who can
> not sing. Just before I auditioned, a girl who could not even carry a tune
> was chosen while me and several other talented people were let go.
>
> The whole show is rigged and I don't think they will ever allow a blind
> person to be on the show. Unfortunately, today's music is about looks and
> stage presence. That is why we have not seen any other big time blind
> singers like Ray Charles and Stevy Wonder. They were fortunate to come 
> into
> fame when music was really about the music and not about visually 
> performing
> and looking good.
>
> Milissa
>
> "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that 
> matter."
> Martin Luther King Jr.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ray Foret jr" <rforetjr at comcast.net>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:50 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane
> andAmericanIdol
>
>
>> Wait!!!  no need to get all bent out of shape yet; you see, this is only 
>> a
>> hypothetical situation.  IN reality, there was a blind guy who did 
>> attempt
>> to appear before the judges I think back a couple of years ago; but, as I
>> understand it, he didn't even manage to get in to the audition room; so,
>> neither Randy, Paula nor the stuffed shirt Simon was able even to see or
>> hear him.  I have an unpleasant suspicion that they wouldn't let a blind
>> person on the show anyhow.  But why?  because of the lack of visual stage
>> presence.  What I mean by that is this.  Does the blind person just stand
>> there still and sing; or, does the person move around and dance and all
>> that?  You will notice that Robert has obviously dealt with that question
>> very directly in his thought provoker.  Read it carefully, and you'll see
>> that Robert has anticipated this very issue.  Obviously, the blind guy
>> sure
>> just doesn't just stand there and sing.  Let's give it some thought.  Do
>> the
>> judges pay more attention to how a contestant looks or how they sound.
>> This
>> is a sighted world; and, whether we like it or not, how someone looks is
>> almost more important than any other consideration.  So, if you just 
>> stand
>> there still and sing, the chances are you're not  going to arouse any
>> enthusiasm on the part of either the judges or the audience.  As I
>> understand it, there was a young blind lady who did manage to appear
>> before
>> the judges, but, it was her lack of visual stage presence that did her 
>> in;
>> and, she never even got in front of the  camera in the judging room.
>>
>> Sincerely yours,
>> The Constantly Barefooted,
>> Ray
>> Home phone and fax:
>> (985)360-3375
>> E-mail:
>> rforetjratcomcastdotnet
>> Skype Name:
>> barefootedray
>>
>> God bless President George W. Bush!
>> God bless our troops!
>> and God bless America
>> ----- 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: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:30 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane
>> andAmericanIdol
>>
>>
>> Go Ray, go!
>> That is a discrace on the blind.  He has no right even saying anything
>> about the man's cane.  I missed that episode.  I did not even know we
>> had a blind person on the show.  I think he is the first and I am sure
>> glad we are finally represented.  I sure hope he stands up for his
>> rights.  His cane is his means of getting around.  It sure looks better
>> for the man to use a cane and be able to walk one the stage, alone, than
>> to have to have a sighted guide.  This reminds me of the airlines taking
>> away our canes.
>> If a singer had MS or CP..., would he have the nerve to take away their
>> walking cane?  I bet not, so why is he questioning a blind person using
>> a walking cane for navigation.  This could lead to a 508 case if it gets
>> out of hand.  In my opinion, he is being discriminated against and could
>> be taken to court.  I see he said nothing about that man with the real
>> long hair!
>>
>> Terry Powers
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ray Foret jr [mailto:rforetjr at comcast.net]
>> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 8:23 AM
>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane and
>> AmericanIdol
>>
>> Well, to me, this is a no brainer.  We all know, of course, that it's
>> respectable to be blind.  We all know that the white cane draws
>> attention to us, in one way or another; usually, we hope, a good way.
>> We know this, but, many sighted still do not know it.  The white cane
>> would, as a matter of fact, draw attention directly to the performer
>> rather than away from him.
>> Besides which, the white cane could be used as part of the appearance
>> aspect of his performance.  IF some female American Idol contestants
>> perform BAREFOOTED as part of their appearance or preference, (Kelly
>> Clarkson comes to mind) Why not the white cane for the hypothetical
>> blind performer?  As for Simon, well, that stuffed shirt doesn't seem to
>> like anything or any one; so, what can I say?
>>
>> Just my $0.02 (Zero Dollars two cents) worth.
>>
>> Sincerely yours,
>> The Constantly Barefooted,
>> Ray
>> Home phone and fax:
>> (985)360-3375
>> E-mail:
>> rforetjratcomcastdotnet
>> Skype Name:
>> barefootedray
>>
>> God bless President George W. Bush!
>> God bless our troops!
>> and God bless America
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
>> To: "nfbtalk" <NFB-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 9:16 PM
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane and American
>> Idol
>>
>>
>> NFBtalk members
>> RE:  White Cane and American Idol
>>
>> Simon, Paula and Randy are faced with judging if a white cane is a
>> detractor
>> to the performance of the first blind American Idol contestant. See if
>> you
>> agree with their Judgment. fellow judges If you have not read the
>> PROVOKER,
>> it follows.  Recall that I collect responses and post them upon my web
>> site
>> for all the WWW to read and learn from and that URL is-
>> Http://thoughtprovoker.info  If you wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS
>> sent
>> directly to you, just write me and ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net
>>
>> THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
>> White Cane and American Idol
>>
>> White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his
>> fingers,
>> the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in rhythm to the
>> driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices of the backup
>> singers,
>> all part of his well rehearsed number for the audience and judges of
>> American Idol, the hit television show. The competition was in the third
>> week, eight contestants had already been eliminated, four in each of the
>> proceeding two weeks. This week four more, two males and two females
>> would
>> be voted off, sent home by America's voting audience.
>>
>> The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked the
>> young blind man's rendition of the eighties rock tune. The radiant smile
>> and
>> confident movement of the young man on stage told the watcher that the
>> singer felt he'd given a good performance.
>>
>> "Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the first of
>> the
>> three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the beat, looking
>> excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we saw in you from the
>> first tune you sang in front of us.  it's the enthusiasm of delivery,
>> good
>> clear tone, and the way you handle yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that
>> was
>> perfect for you. I liked that! This was the best performance of the
>> night!"
>> Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.
>>
>> Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to
>> dance
>> behind her chair, "Brent, that was a stunning performance; great vocals!
>> Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You looked
>> natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey, you can
>> dance!
>> We hadn't seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good; you
>> need
>> to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the final twelve and
>> the
>> other singers will have to work hard to beat this performance."  She sat
>> down, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows to check what the
>> persnickety judge on her right was going to say.
>>
>> The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed, taking
>> in
>> Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half smile.  With
>> serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began one of his
>> infamous,
>> well known intros to an evaluation of a singer's performance. "To be
>> honest
>> with you, I have mixed feelings about you." The audience erupted with
>> hoots
>> and jeering in response to the judge they loved to hate. "Wait a minute,
>> wait a minute, let me have my say." And with the return of quiet to the
>> hall, Simon addressed the now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the
>> positive side, I think you actually are one of the top two voices in the
>> competition." The audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly,
>> knowing that Simon had more to say. "But my problem is." Simon's
>> eyebrows
>> came together as he frowned in concentration.
>>
>> "Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered Randy.
>>
>> Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well, we've
>> never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with how to
>> phrase my
>> comment." Abruptly turning back to the waiting performer, face
>> determined,
>> Simon continued, "Brent, I will not treat you any different, I owe you
>> that,
>> and I'm going to tell you what the problem is. It is . as we tell you
>> all,
>> in this business you have to be believable. And in your special case,
>> you
>> have to be acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices
>> add to
>> the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a minute,
>> wait!
>> Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored, Simon
>> went
>> on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be acceptable! As everyone
>> else
>> here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and other blind
>> musicians
>> who have made it in professional music. But there's a difference at work
>> here. Now what my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best,
>> but
>> on stage I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was .
>> annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it
>> should
>> be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with being an
>> Idol."
>> THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
>> White Cane and American Idol
>>
>> White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his
>> fingers,
>> the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in rhythm to the
>> driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices of the backup
>> singers,
>> all part of his well rehearsed number for the audience and judges of
>> American Idol, the hit television show. The competition was in the third
>> week, eight contestants had already been eliminated, four in each of the
>> proceeding two weeks. This week four more, two males and two females
>> would
>> be voted off, sent home by America's voting audience.
>>
>> The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked the
>> young blind man's rendition of the old rhythm and blues classic. The
>> radiant
>> smile and confident movement of the young man on stage told the watcher
>> that
>> the singer felt he'd given a good performance.
>>
>> "Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the first of
>> the
>> three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the beat, looking
>> excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we saw in you from the
>> first tune you sang in front of us.  it's the enthusiasm of delivery,
>> good
>> clear tone, and the way you handle yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that
>> was
>> perfect for you. I liked that! This was the best performance of the
>> night!"
>> Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.
>>
>> Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to
>> dance
>> behind her chair, "Brent, that was a stunning performance; great vocals!
>> Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You looked
>> natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey, you can
>> dance!
>> We hadn't seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good; you
>> need
>> to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the final twelve and
>> the
>> other singers will have to work hard to beat this performance."  She sat
>> down, tilting her head and raising her eyebrows to check what the
>> persnickety judge on her right was going to say.
>>
>> The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed, taking
>> in
>> Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half smile.  With
>> serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began one of his
>> infamous,
>> well known intros to an evaluation of a singer's performance. "To be
>> honest
>> with you, I have mixed feelings about you." The audience erupted with
>> hoots
>> and jeering in response to the judge they loved to hate. "Wait a minute,
>> wait a minute, let me have my say." And with the return of quiet to the
>> hall, Simon addressed the now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the
>> positive side, I think you actually are one of the top two voices in the
>> competition." The audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly,
>> knowing that Simon had more to say. "But my problem is." Simon's
>> eyebrows
>> came together as he frowned in concentration.
>>
>> "Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered Randy.
>>
>> Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well, we've
>> never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with how to
>> phrase my
>> comment." Abruptly turning back to the waiting performer, face
>> determined,
>> Simon continued, "Brent, I will not treat you any different, I owe you
>> that,
>> and I'm going to tell you what the problem is. It is . as we tell you
>> all,
>> in this business you have to be believable. And in your special case,
>> you
>> have to be acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices
>> add to
>> the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a minute,
>> wait!
>> Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored, Simon
>> went
>> on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be acceptable! As everyone
>> else
>> here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, and other blind
>> musicians
>> who have made it in professional music. But there's a difference at work
>> here. Now what my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best,
>> but
>> on stage I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was .
>> annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it
>> should
>> be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with being an
>> Idol."
>>
>>
>> Robert Leslie Newman
>> E-Mail- newmanrl at cox.net
>> Web Site- thoughtprovoker.info
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> --------
>>
>>
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