Blind Planet

So I think this is when I'll tackle the potentially ticklish subject of how some blind folks can treat others sometimes.

For the most part, I like my fellow blind folks, but one thing that can really get way past my last nerve is how, for example, blind person A can be a skilled and confident person, but when they find out blind person B is lacking in some skills or accomplishments in life, he'll run that other person through the wringer and harshly criticize that person for not being as competent or confident as he is. I don't care how you can justify and excuse away such behavior, it's not right and it's not helpful far as I'm concerned. We blind people are individuals, so we don't all want the same things in life and we don't all learn things the same way or at the same speed. Plus, life is complicated and sometimes, things just aren't solely the blind person's fault. I am not suggesting that these billions upon billions of rocking, eye-poking, government-check-taking do-nothings many of us love to go on about should be pittied or coddled, but just lighten up and perhaps even lay off. If you want to help that person, help, don't shame or criticize. If that person turns out to be stubbornly dependent, move on and don't blame yourself. But also, remember, we weren't born with these skills. We all had to learn them, so we've all been there. I guess what I'm asking for is a lot more empathy and a lot less of trotting out all those anecdotes about blind folks you know who don't know how to tie their shoes or who only know how to cook in the microwave and how sad it is. It's tiresome. Some time ago, I wrote up a satire about many of the things blind people pick on other blind people over, and it seems to have been a hit with at least some of the folks that read it. I may post it here and hopefully others who might understand and appreciate intense sarcasm and exageration might get a good laugh out of it.

Also, I'm not saying that we as blind folks should just like one another simply for being blind. That's just silly. I think what it boils down to is this one silly, outdated, old-fashioned, hippie, weirdo, freaky, geeky, subversive, psycho, crackpot idea I have. What about this. Treat others the way you wish to be treated, and not the way that is most amusing to your buddies or makes you look superior by implication. Pretty crazy idea, isn't it? Nah, it'll just never fly, not here, not now. The world has moved on. We must be cruel to be kind. Being the bad-ass jerk is more entertaining than being nice to people, and most of them just don't deserve any kind treatment anyhow. People being mean to one another is just human nature, so it is set in stone and will never change, ever, so it's best to lie down, be silent, and take it, since resistance is futile. So, what do you think?

Ah, and as I'm thinking about it, let me take things a step further. I hope you're still with me. We blind people do a lot of talking about how we wish people out in public to treat us. I think before we even dare suggest we be treated respectfully by the sighted public, we need to be respectful to our fellow blind people. It's a two-way street, really, and you can't just get respect and not give it. Yeah, another hippie-weirdo-freak idea for sure.

Ah, one more thing! So, when we blind folks proclaim, "I want to be treated like everyone else!" what exactly do we mean? Have you actually seen how people treat one another these days and it's considered normal and acceptable? I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy if I had one, no way! How do you know that all the verbal abuse, rejection, being ignored, and whatever nastiness the world hands you is exactly just the way people treat each other and in fact, you're not being singled out? Hahahahahaha, hey, somebody's gotta ask such things, right? I mean, yeah, I actually do know what people mean when they say that, but the term "treated like everyone else" just seems like one of those things where you say, "Be careful what you wish for." I'd rather be a little more specific. First of all, I don't mind a little special treatment every now and then, whether it has to do with my being blind or if it just has to do with people thinking I'm special just for existing. I think sometimes when things happen to us, it's easy to say it's because we are blind, and that's not always the case. Otherwise, I do not want to be feared or pittied or talked to like I've got rotten potatoes in my head instead of brains. I don't want people to assume I have nothing in common with them, or really, much about me in general. I don't want to be anybody's good deed or heaven ticket. That sort of thing. That'd be good for starts, and you can either agree or disagree.