From: Buddy Brannan - KB5ELV 
Subject: Regarding Mr. Magoo (Forward)
Hi folks,
Here are comments from David Milner, who has been reading some of the
messages here on the Mr. Magoo issue. (He hasn't read everything, but I
have forwarded most of the discussion to him, as he is not subscribed.) I
have not myself commented on the matter, as I have nothing to add that
hasn't already been said by someone else. However, I'm weighing in on the
side of those opposing the movie for all the reasons stated in this list. 
Apparently, there is another message here from Dave, but I haven't got to
it yet. When I do, it will be forwarded here.
----- Forwarded message from David Milner -----
From: David Milner 
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 1997 03:28:35 -0400 (edt)
Hello again:
As an addendum to my earlier mail I wanted to say a word or two about the 
importance of this Mr. Magoo film issue.  
Several have suggested that in the light of other issues concerning the 
blind today, the Mr. Magoo problem takes a rather low priority.  Concerns 
involving jobs and civil rights for instance, are viewed by many to be 
more immediate than any media release, however damaging that release 
might be.  
I must respectfully disagree with this viewpoint.  Having been involved 
in public relations with the NFB for some time, and also having made my 
own personal study of sociological changes and trends, I believe I can 
make a good case for the argument that far from being of little 
consequence in the grand scheme of the social condition of the blind 
today, media releases such as the Mr. Magoo film are very significant 
indeed.  They should be immediately and vigorously addressed by the blind 
as individuals, and by organizations of the blind as well.
The way the general public (and indeed we ourselves) view blind persons
has a direct effect on, for instance, how we are viewed as potential
employees.  When we apply for jobs our reputation as a people comes before
us, whether we are aware of it or not.  The employer sees first not a
single blind person, but blind people as a whole.  They begin with their
preformed conceptions whatever they may be, and it falls to the blind job
applicant to allay any misconceptions and *hopefully* land the position. 
There are already far too many employers who perceive the blind to some
extent, as Mr.  Magoo.  To be fair a growing number of them have seen the
blind at work, and have realized our competence.  Still they had to
overcome the prejudice that was placed in their minds at an early age by
the Mr. Magoo character.  Unfortunately though slowly becoming larger,
this number of enlightened employers is still unacceptably small.  In my
view a re-emergence of the Mr. Magoo character will subconsciously
influence a large number of employers in a way that will adversely affect
job prospects for the blind.  No employer I am aware of would wish to hire
a Mr. Magoo. 
Our social situation will suffer as a result of the upcoming film as 
well.  Who would wish to marry a Mr. Magoo?  Would families who had been 
influenced by reinforced stereotypes concerning blind persons approve of 
their son or daughter participating in such a match?  I doubt this very 
seriously.  
The image of blind people also plays an important part in the willingness
of lawmakers to listen to our concerns on civil rights, and act on them in
a favorable manner.  Legislators, as we all know, are hardly above human 
flaws.  They are people, too.  Their picture of the blind is just as 
seceptible to distortion as that of any other person.  As I see it the 
last thing the blind need in Washington (or any seat of government) is a 
body politic, adversely influenced by the bumbling, stumbling Mr. Magoo.  
A popular commercial uses the slogan, 'Image is nothing.  Obey your 
thirst.'  In the case of the struggle of the blind to attain first-class 
citizenship this slogan must be reversed.  In our case, image is 
everything.  If plays a direct part in how well we as a people do 
socially, in the workplace and most importantly, in the halls of 
government.  If one examines the image issue from this angle, one will 
see immediately, that it plugs into every major issue facing the blind 
today.  
Yes, my friends, fighting the production and release of the Mr. Magoo 
movie *is* of major importance to us.  Even if the prospect for winning 
the battle is grim, we must still do our best.  We must do it for 
ourselves, for blind children and for the generations of the blind yet to 
come.  
One more thing before I stop.  Whilst playing about on the net and 
listening to the TV in the background on Friday Night the 11th of July, I 
overheard that the George of the Jungle cartoon will be returning to 
network television (I believe it was ABC) this Fall.  As you are all 
probably aware, Disney has recently released a George of the Jungle 
film.  The return of the cartoon is obviously part of Disney's effort to 
promote, and capitalize on the movie.  
I was instantly aware of what this would mean to the blind.  The mere 
fact that Disney is able to use the name, Mr. Magoo, means that they have 
bought the rights to it, and everything that goes with it.  Everything.  
Including the cartoon.
Think about it.
Thanks for reading,
David Milner
----- End of forwarded message from David Milner -----
-- 
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV        | Voice: (512) 441-3246
with Karl and Zoe!...        | davros@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
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It's OK to be mean to the evil people
Who make life unbelievable,
But try to be nice to me. --The Nields
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