From: nmueller@stepnet.de
Subject: Thoughts on the Mr. Magoo discussion
Greetings, fellow Federationists,
first of all: After 2 more weeks of vacation in the States after the
convention I made it home safely. Germany greeted us with the same
weather we had when we left: rain and a high temperature on Saturday of
61 degrees.
386 messages were awaiting me here, and many of those concerned Mr.
Magoo. I did not write individual replies, since some of them were two
weeks old already. However, I want to add a few comments.
I strongly agree with those who think we should something against
Disney's plans. One person argued that being upset about Mr. Magoo
proved a weak personality. Nonsense! If I truly have pride in myself and
in the person I am - with all my trademarks - then I cannot accept that
someone is trying to step on my dignity. Blind people had to take that
for all too long. We thought times had improved somewhat, so we cannot
accept a step back at the end of the 20th century.
Some people felt that Mr. Magoo did not really hurt blind people. We
have read (and also heard in conversations during the convention) many
people attest to the opposite, relying on their own experiences. So
there is proof enough of the dangers of that character.
It makes me sad to read that some people (fortunately very few) are
afraid of being considered "complainers" when they fight against this
movie. Are you more afraid of that than of being ridiculed? If so, why
is this? Because as blind individuals you haved learned to live with
ridicule? As I said, that is very sad.
The unfortunate thing for us in Germany and other countries is that
Disney Movies make it over here, too. So if NFB cannot stop it, we will
have to live with the Magoo problem as well; and our organization here
in Germany is not strong enough to prevent the movie from being shown.
Yet, I will not sit on my feet. I have already informed the president of
the European Blind Union that I want to work on a resolution against Mr.
Magoo which I will present to the next EBU board meeting in September in
Sweden. I will also start a campaign in Germany, hoping I get enough
support.
The Concept of laughing with others about ourselves has never led to a
better understanding of blindness issues. It has not helped other
minorities either. For equality you have to fight, and laughing along
with those who discriminate against you is not an appropriate method.
Take a look at history and you will clearly see that.
One more thing: Some people here have thrown stones at the NFB, arguing
how little power, success or resources it has. Some others were friendly
enough to attribute this to a lack of information. They have suggested
to go to chapter meetings or conventions to find out more about the
activities of the NFB. For me it is of course not possible to go to
State conventions or chapter   meetings. However, I read the Braille
Monitor, and that is an excelent source of information. Of course the
anti-NFBers will argue now that it just provides the point of view of
the federation. True; but I also receive other magazines and can make up
my own mind. The Monitor does not only help me understand what is going
on in the States; it is also an important source of information and food
for the mind in my international and national activities.
Best greetings to all of you,
Norbert.
Norbert Mueller - also known as n.mueller@hit.handshake.de
at work: dbbw@stepnet.de
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