Blind Coloradan
Blog
January 16,
2025
Writer, aggregator: Kevan Worley
Contributors: Dan Burke &
Erin Daley. With assistance from Lisa Bonderson.
National Federation of the Blind
of Colorado, President, Jessica Beecham
Burr! Here is an
urgent note from the president of our Denver Chapter Maureen Nietfeld
Hey Denver Chapter, due to the
expected crazy cold temperatures and snow this weekend we have decided to move
the meeting to Zoom!! Still, come ready to have an awesome meeting and we will
have elections. We will honor all members and collect dues in February. So make
some warm coffee, grab a delicious breakfast, and spend the morning with your
Denver chapter over Zoom!!! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86765164389
Inclusion, Diversity,
Meritocracy, A Perspective by Kevan Worley
In recent years many organizations,
universities, and companies have made diversity, equality, and inclusion a
major initiative. The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado has been no
exception. In 2019 our late president, the distinguished Scott LaBarre led the
effort. Early on he appointed a diverse community of people from various
backgrounds, races, world views, and religious beliefs to our DEI committees. The
effort was robust. I had the pleasure of sitting in on a number of these
discussions. I believe them to be fruitful. I believe them to be important for
the growth of the organization. As well as bringing a real community sensibility
to NFBCO. Early in the process, I recognized that some people had strong feelings.
These tended to be those whose worldview was more in keeping with a republican
sensibility. A number of us spoke about that with President LaBarre. We then
broached the topic during committee meetings. We wanted to ensure that DEI truly
meant complete acceptance and conclusion of all perspectives.
At a recent NFBCO retreat comments offered
from a few members indicated that they sometimes felt called out or excluded because
of their political beliefs. They suggested that their feeling was the majority
of members with whom they worked in the organization had liberal or progressive
world views. They said that there were times they felt uncomfortable. Without
much thought or introspection, I pushed back. Knowing that I and others realize
that we live in a blue state. Odds are we reflect the population at large. Therefore,
I thought Scott LaBarre, myself, and others had made a heartfelt and concerted
effort to include every member or potential member in our community. I've
always believed that you can have a democratic organization in which leadership
is based on meritocracy. Everyone should be accepted in the organization and in
all of our activities with grace, joy, and acceptance. At the same time, we are
a democratic organization. Therefore, those serving in elected positions would largely
be chosen by our diverse membership based on their heart, mind, merit, and capacity.
I believe this is the case. However, the comments made by my esteemed
colleagues at the recent retreat has made me reflect on my behavior.
Are there times when my teasing a
fellow member at a lunch makes them feel uncomfortable? Are there times when a
side comment at a meeting is as offensive to one of my republican colleagues as
it would be if a side comment about a member who may have traditionally felt or
actually been excluded in the history of the movement? Even though I felt we made
a great effort to include everyone. I hope the comments of our colleagues at
the recent retreat cause all of us to reflect. I am proud of each of our
members who show up with heart-in-hand ready to work for the inclusion of all blind
and low-vision people in our society. It is my fervent hope that our basic principles
will be of true acceptance, kindness, and love for all. Where I have fallen
short I apologize. I will make an even greater effort. In my view everyone is
welcome. We need people who will help carry the load, provide the leadership,
advocate with gusto, mentor the newly blinded, and be role models for our blind
children. And hold out a helping hand for one another. Only in this way can
each and every one of us live the lives we want. And I want to thank those at
the latest retreat for your willingness to stand up and state your views with
great respect and dignity.
At your service, Kevan Worley
Kindly written, Kevan! When the very complex and nuanced topic of diversity comes up, I find comfort in President Riccobono's banquet speech from a few years ago. He reminds me that ultimately, we are all bonded by one trait: we are blind or blind at heart. Yes, we are diverse even in how we each approach our blindness, but we are all here in the NFB to advocate for and raise expectations of blind people. I believe that this can be enough common ground to unite even a pair of the most opposite members. JJ
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