This month’s letters began arriving in October. All but one were held over from the December/January issue until now, when we have somewhat more space. The contents of this column reflect the letters we had received by The time we went to press, January 15, 2004. “The Braille Forum” is not responsible for the opinions expressed herein. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, style and space available. Following newly delineated board of publications guidelines, all letters have been trimmed to a maximum of 300 words. Opinions expressed are those of the authors, not those of the American Council of the Blind, its staff or elected officials. We can print your letters only if you sign your name and give us your address.
Thank You
I’m writing to express my deepest thanks to those of you who reached out to me, responding to my October 2003 article in “The Braille Forum” entitled “More Than Just a Physical Challenge.” The calls from friends I had not spoken to for a long time, as well as those living with the human immunodeficiency virus and blindness, have been encouraging. Your kind words and your stories were touching and inspirational. The letter to the editor from Joe Harcz from Michigan touched me in a profound way. Apparently, the article didn’t just educate readers about AIDS, but it also opened minds to deal with stigma and prejudice regarding sexual orientation. I know of many blind and visually impaired individuals who experience oppression in life, sometimes in our community. Many lesbian, gay and transgendered folks who are disabled have difficulty integrating into the sexual minority communities. Let’s hope that Blind Friends of Lesbians and Gays (BFLAG) can help in this area. ACB is a multi-cultural family, where I feel there is no room for segregation.
— Harry Herzek, Philadelphia, Pa.
More on Charlie Crawford’s Resignation
Dear Braille Forum Readers:
Those who established this republic wrote that leaders govern only with the consent of the governed. When leaders no longer represent the best interests of the governed or engage in actions which the governed deem to be contrary to their long-term welfare and prosperity, then the governed must overthrow those leaders.
At a speech presented to the American Council of the Blind of Ohio, a board member aptly stated that Charlie Crawford is the heart and soul of this organization. All who have the pleasure of working with or under his supervision have been able to experience the skill, intelligence, and character Crawford applies to the position of executive director. Crawford’s advocacy skills are legendary.
Because Charlie advocated for members’ rights to disagree with the current leadership, he has been forced to resign. This course of action is so potentially detrimental to the long-term prosperity of this organization and its better assertion of civil rights for blind and visually impaired Americans, that it is time that the governed via their affiliate representatives work to remove the current ACB president.
— Gary Norman, President, Maryland Area Guide Dog Users, Baltimore, Md.
Dear Braille Forum Readers:
I am greatly saddened by Mr. Crawford’s resignation. The impact of his leaving ACB could have wider ramifications than any one of us can imagine.
I have known Charlie for many years. He taught me everything I know about advocacy and instilled in me that you should not be afraid to speak up for yourself or on behalf of others.
At the Pittsburgh convention, President Gray supported a constitutional amendment which sought to prohibit ACB staff from expressing their views on ACB policies and from asking questions of those running for office, and to penalize them for doing so. Charlie spoke up against this amendment. Mr. Gray objected to Charlie’s speaking out. The membership voted against the amendment.
Here it is three months post-convention. Mr. Gray held eight executive sessions and coincidentally Charlie resigned as ACB's executive director, stating there were “irreconcilable philosophical differences” between himself and Gray. How many other true leaders will be pushed out that door because they don’t see or do things Mr. Gray’s way?
— Pat Hill, Malden, Mass.
Dear Editor,
You have heard from me about the Iowa guide dog case (February 2003), and my opinions have not changed. I am saddened to see that this divisive issue seems to have been a big factor in recent tensions between President Gray and Charlie Crawford. We have been told that specific details concerning Charlie’s resignation cannot be discussed, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine that the Dohmen case had something to do with it.
Although Charlie Crawford handled his opinions quite carefully, I surmise that he feels strongly that use of a guide dog should not be a deterrent to allowing admittance into a rehab program and to deny one admission because of the use of a guide dog was a clear violation of Stephanie Dohmen’s civil rights.
I further speculate where Chris Gray’s loyalties lie from his e-mails addressing and regarding GDUI and its president. Gray characterized GDUI leaders as “radicals” and “emotional.”
— Rebecca Kragnes, Minneapolis, Minn.
The President’s Reply
To Mr. Norman: Your letter to the editor contains two errors of fact. First, Mr. Crawford was not “forced” to resign; he resigned of his own free will. Second, the reason for his resignation had little if anything at all to do with “members’ rights to disagree with the current leadership.” Had this been a primary issue, the statement released by Mr. Crawford and agreed upon by me would have been very different.
To Ms. Hill: I took no position on the constitutional amendment to which you refer. Further, Charlie’s resignation related in no way to the substantive discussion of that motion. The point you raise regarding the rights of staff to debate and discuss issues on the convention floor and participate in the political life of the organization is certainly a valid issue and something I would urge you and all ACB members to consider carefully. When one becomes a paid employee of an organization, rights and responsibilities as an employee differ greatly from those of a general member of the organization.
To Ms. Kragnes: The Dohmen case played no specific role in discussions between Mr. Crawford and the board that led to his resignation. Your speculations and innuendos regarding my position regarding Dohmen, GDUI and guide dogs generally is precisely as you suggest: speculation. As with most speculation based on rumor and hearsay and unsubstantiated opinion, your comments do not accurately reflect my position at all. I support the rights of guide dog users and have demonstrated this support many times in my organizational work for ACB and in my personal life.
I do not favor the interests of any one affiliate over those of another. I do stand for the necessity within the American Council of the Blind for affiliates to work meaningfully together and to seek common ground in doing so. Finally, I supported and the organization has fully complied with the Dohmen-related resolution, duly considered and passed at the 2003 Pittsburgh convention. Let’s stop debating old history, often wrongfully portrayed and conveyed in this column, and get on with the work of the present and future.
— Christopher P. Gray, San Francisco, Calif.
Examining Our Priorities
Dear Editor:
In 2004 I will begin my 55th year with the organized blind movement. My late husband and I helped to form the first ACB affiliate in California and we were involved with the formation of ACB itself.
We have been told by Charlie Crawford that his resignation was prompted by irreconcilable differences. When a staff member reaches a point where he disagrees with management or feels that he/she can no longer accord with company policy, then there needs to be some type of change. In this case, Charlie resigned.
The board and the president have been accused of some type of conspiracy to keep information from the membership. Any of us who have dealt with personnel matters know that they cannot be aired publicly. For those of us who were not present to speculate about what happened is not only useless but harmful to ACB.
Congratulations to Melanie Brunson are in order; for through all the recent upheaval, she has continued to be our outstanding advocate, keeping us informed on serious legislative matters now pending. Many issues are in urgent need of our letters and phone calls. Let's get our priorities in order!
— Catherine Skivers, Hayward, Calif.
I was not surprised by Charlie Crawford’s resignation, as it appeared to me that, on the floor at the national convention, he was showing signs of dissatisfaction with his position of executive director. But what does surprise me is how a few people want to blame his resignation on President Gray and some board members. Many have accused Gray of trying to micromanage, and stated that he only listens to a few members who have been around forever. I respectfully disagree. President Gray gave me a chance to serve on a committee even though I was fairly new to the organization, and I know this to be true of others as well. I have noticed as a member of the transportation task force that the president lets us do the work. This is not the behavior of a micromanager. At the convention and on the listservs, when people expressed concerns, he listened and tried to offer solutions that would satisfy all sides.
I am especially disturbed by some GDUI members’ ongoing criticism about the Iowa case. President Gray and the board did what they felt was right at the time. I supported GDUI as I am a dog guide user, and hate to see discrimination of any kind. However, with that said, I would ask where was GDUI when Georgia was having a similar problem with its BEP agency. We asked for just a letter of support from GDUI and never got one. It was President Gray who wrote a letter to assist us with this cause.
In this organization we do not have to agree, but it is in our best interest to stay focused and not divide and conquer.
Keep up the good work President Gray, board of directors, and ACB staff.
— Alice Richhart, President, Georgia Guide Dog Users, Brunswick, Ga.