From: Al and Masha Sten-Clanton 
Subject: Re: ACB Washington Connection (fwd)
I believe we made the right decision on the handling of Mr. Magoo.  The
question is not really whether or not we're demanding political
correctness, or even whether or not we're offended by the Magoo portrayal.
Rather, the question is: Will this media portrayal do harm to the lives of
blind people, either through creating new stereotypes or reenforcing those
that already exist?  After all, if we are offended, that's the
reason--that we think it will impact us negatively.
I'd really love to believe that the public is so advanced in its
understanding of blindness that Mr. Magoo won't be taken at all seriously.
I'd love to be a "good sport" and laugh along with the rest at Mr. Magoo's
foolishness.  But the day-to-day encounters with the public don't support
such optimism.  I still hear plenty of people tell me, "You're about to
walk into a wall," when I'm using my cane to find and negotiate the wall.
We all know people who feel obliged to tell us when we're getting to the
top of a staircase, because they don't take it for granted that we're
going to figure it out ourselves.  People still tell me how "remarkably
well" I'm doing just for walking around independently.  I'm not saying
this to criticize the people who do these things.  But it seems pretty
obvious that the world isn't out there proclaiming our abilities and
normality.  While the Magoo movie isn't a powerful enough instrument to
create such stereotypes, it certainly will encourage those that are
already there.  
Personally, I'm not thrilled about getting involved in a campaign that
will make us appear to many as hypersensitive complainers.  But some of
those who hear our message are bound to have it eventually sink in.
We have a friend who knows a lot of people with physical disabilities.  A
couple Labor Days ago, we were talking to her and the subject of the Jerry
Lewis telethon came up.  Our friend said of Jerry Lewis's pity mentality:
"I used to think my friends with disabilities were hypersensitive, but
this year Jerry was really bad."  One wonders: was Jerry Lewis's approach
any different, or did our friend just learn to see him differently?
I don't know how many of the general public think we're complaining
unnecessarily about this Magoo business.  But maybe some of those people,
when they see the movie, will say to themselves, "You know, I thought that
blind federation was being hypersensitive, but this really is pretty
condescending, isn't it?"
By the way, can anyone tell us how the meeting went between our leaders
and the Disney folks?
Masha
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