Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (12/04/90)
Index Number: 12174
[This is from the Advocacy Conference]
I have for a couple of years felt that too much of the Federation's
resources were being devoted to fighting for the right to sit in exit
row seats of airplanes. While I agree with our basic position because
of the inequities of other groups with non-visible disqualifiers not
being so restricted, I believe that a number of other issues are more
important in our present struggle for first class citizenship. In
particular, I feel that the unemployment problem is the most serious
and troublesome one we face. I thus introduced the following
resolution at the convention this year. Unfortunately, it was not
debated on the merits: not one resolutions committee member publicly
spoke of another issue tht should receive higher priority. Rather it
was debunked as not being a resolution, but a proclamation, or being so
poorly written that it wasn't worth considering--statements I have
never heard made about other resolutions in my ten years as a member.
RESOLUTION ON UNEMPLOYMENT OF THE BLIND
By Jamal Mazrui
July 2, 1990
Whereas seventy percent of working age blind persons are
unemployed or severely underemployed; and
Whereas this fact is not a temporary, passing phenomenon but a
steady, stubborn pattern that has existed for decades; and
Whereas experience, research, and logic demonstrate that
joblessness among the blind is due, not to limitations of
blindness, but to mistaken attitudes and poor training; and
Whereas the National Federation of the Blind has worked hard to
combat this problem in many ways, including the Job
opportunities for the Blind information and referral program,
legislative campaigns to achieve enactment of nondiscrimination
laws in various occupations, court battles to enforce such laws,
public education about the capacities of blind persons, and
numerous other activities on local, state, and national levels;
and
Whereas we are justifiably proud of these efforts for the
positive impact they have had on the welfare of the blind; and
Whereas this 50th anniversary convention is a time both to
celebrate our accomplishments and to plan strategically for even
greater success in the years ahead; and
Whereas the unemployment problem persists in ugly proportions,
damaging the security and psyche of tens of thousands of our
blind brothers and sisters; and
Whereas our society as a whole thereby also suffers in its
economic health and spiritual well-being:
Now therefore be it resolved ... that this Federation hereby re-
affirms its long-term committment to combatting unemployment of
blind people and declares this matter to be its top priority in
our struggle for first class citizenship; and
Be it further resolved that this organization orient and
coordinate its programs and activities in light of this
priority.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgLes.Barr@p0.f41.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Les Barr) (12/04/90)
Index Number: 12175
[This is from the Advocacy Conference]
Jamal,
I am saddened to read of the persecution inflicted upon your person
, especially by an "Advocate" group of the blind, for your beliefs
in Freedom of Speech and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It seems there are groups out there determined to undermine the
basic inalienable rights, under the guise of obtaining a goal;
while in eventuality, undermining the very principles for which
they believed they were representing.
Throughout history, the plight of such individuals as yourself
seeking a change or improvement for the good of everyone, has met
with opposition from those who either want to keep things from
obtaining change, or those who only want change to benefit their
own self-interest. It seems appropriate that this has occurred
during the Thanks-giving Holiday, as the "Pilgrims," had to flea
their homeland, in order to obtain freedom from a country that
would not allow religious beliefs that were not exactly the same as
the governments'.
The great changes having taken place over the past 200 or so
years, has taken place because of a few men and women that stood
their ground, and despite great persecution from the powers that
were, endured and continued anyway.
Great men have gone before you, Lincoln; Jefferson; Roosevelt;
etc., so you could have the opportunity to stand for what you
believed was right, and it would be a shame if you let the
"contras" get the best of you without a fight!
In other words, hang in there Jamal, "Damn the torpedos, and full
speed ahead!"
-Les
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!147!41.0!Les.Barr
Internet: Les.Barr@p0.f41.n147.z1.fidonet.orgDaniel.Laflin@p3.f6.n3610.z1.fidonet.org (Daniel Laflin) (12/07/90)
Index Number: 12414
If you think they are violating your free speech rights, why not
Sue the Federation? No Organazion is above the Bill of rights.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!3610!6.3!Daniel.Laflin
Internet: Daniel.Laflin@p3.f6.n3610.z1.fidonet.orgJamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (12/14/90)
Index Number: 12475
Thanks for your message. I did consult a few attorneys and the
conclusion I drew was that most judges will not interfere with
the affairs of a private organization. Such an organization may
do almost whatever they want, even if it is quite offense to
ethics and taste in the culture at large. Since the last
message you read from me, the National Federation of the Blind
did in fact expel me at a meeting of its national board of
directors. I sent a written defense of about ten pages, but
received no assurance that it would be distributed to the board
or publicly read at this meeting. Ithen got a letter in writing
about a week later notifying me of my expulsion for "activity
unbecoming to a member." There is little I can do legally to be
re-instated, but if they slander me in the monthly publication,
the Braille Monitor, Iwould have a case. I am also bringing my
case to the wider forum of public opinion such as here so that
people can make informed decesions about the NFB.
--Jamal--
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgJamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (01/08/91)
Index Number: 12673
Thanks for your message. I did consult a few attorneys and the
conclusion I drew was that most judges will not interfere with
the affairs of a private organization. Such an organization may
do almost whatever they want, even if it is quite offense to
ethics and taste in the culture at large. Since the last
message you read from me, the National Federation of the Blind
did in fact expel me at a meeting of its national board of
directors. I sent a written defense of about ten pages, but
received no assurance that it would be distributed to the board
or publicly read at this meeting. Ithen got a letter in writing
about a week later notifying me of my expulsion for "activity
unbecoming to a member." There is little I can do legally to be
re-instated, but if they slander me in the monthly publication,
the Braille Monitor, Iwould have a case. I am also bringing my
case to the wider forum of public opinion such as here so that
people can make informed decesions about the NFB.
--Jamal--
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgJamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (01/08/91)
Index Number: 12701
Hi Bill! Thanks for your message. I don't criticize anyone for
being a Federation member: I was for ten years and tried to
reamin so despite the best efforts of the national state
president to expel me! I prevailed against the effort at a
state board meeting, but alas! could not do so at the national
board meeting which decided to overturn the ruling of the state
board. I still think the the philosophy of the National
Federation of the Blind is the best one around on blindness;
the great majority of its positions are great; its prioriities,
however, and much of its processes are severely misguided.
--Jamal--
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgBill.Koppelmann@f810.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Koppelmann) (01/08/91)
Index Number: 12708
Jamal, thanks for your message back to me. It is a measure of my own
maturity that I should be able to "hear" what you've said, and I am
glad that for the most part you affirm the worth of the NFB. This is
good to know, however, as I suspect you were trying to tell me, I
should keep my eyes and ears open.
You might be interested to know that one of the worst organizations for
the disabled in the whole country is right here in Boulder, and because
the nfb is to close to the stove on this one, nothing is ever said.
Just seeing this taught me a lot.
Bill.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!104!810!Bill.Koppelmann
Internet: Bill.Koppelmann@f810.n104.z1.fidonet.orgJamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Jamal Mazrui) (01/09/91)
Index Number: 12760
Hi Bill! I do believe in a great deal of worth in the NFB. I
believe, for example, that Dr. Jernigan is the greatest living
civil rights leader on blindness issues. That, however, does
not mean he can do no wrong. Ithink he has made a serious
mistake in my case and in several others over the years, losing
not only valuable individual leaders but large groups of blind
people from the rank and file of the organization's membership.
Iam not saying that the ranks of the expelled are fault
free, but the punitive actions taken against them and anyone
associated with them are often far out of proportion to the
errors they made. The result has been a smaller and Ithink
weaker organization with a damaged reputation in the blind
community at large not to mention the disability rights movement
as a whole.
--Jamal--
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Jamal.Mazrui
Internet: Jamal.Mazrui@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.orgBill.Koppelmann@f810.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Koppelmann) (01/09/91)
Index Number: 12772
Jamal, it is this very thing that I worry most about where the nfb is
concerned. For myself, I have fought long and hard to try to put as
much dogma for dogma's sake behind me. Apparently Dr. Jernigan has not
seen the wisdom of being aware of this.
It seems to me that any astute listener can just tell from listening to
the convention tapes themselves who he feels the best about. A good
example is the very last monitor. Did you happen to catch his
introduction and the way he related to the administrator of the
Rehabilitation Administration? Quite interesting, I'd say.
Bill.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!104!810!Bill.Koppelmann
Internet: Bill.Koppelmann@f810.n104.z1.fidonet.org