From: "Christine M. Faltz" 
Subject: Re: MR. MAGOO CONCERNS
Hmmm, do I smell flame-bait or what? (grin).
Civil rights organizations have broad agendas, and the rights and
first-class citizenship of marginalized individuals are more than
opportunity and accessibility (education, jobs, training, technology) --
in fact, all of these are rendered more easily attainable by changed
perceptions and attitudes.  I don't think anyone believes we're going to
stop Disney from making this m ovie, but the idea that powerful, wealthy
corporations and/or individuals can do whatever they wish and should be
unopposed because it would be futile is simply defeatist and wrong.
Recent case in oint: tobacco industryl.  Not so recent: automakers -- does
the name Ralph Nader ring a bell?  
Provoking thought and ebate about Mr. Magoo and the reinforcing of
stereotypes about the blind is far better than saying and doing nothing.
And of course it's very easy to use this issue to make blanket statements
about an organization of which you clearly are ill-informed.  The
convention agenda had plenty of job and technology items on it; and I had
numerous opportunities to discuss these issues at length at the
convention.  It's all connected, part of the same bundle.  The NAACp, the
Jewish Anti-Defamation League -- and similar groups have and still do
oppose media which portray stereotypes of their members.  We all can't be
happy all the time with the prioities a large organization makes, but to
become ad hominem and spew blanket generalizations because you disagree
with a particular policy is not going to resolve anything.  How about some
suggestions rather than name-calling and baiting?
Christine
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