by Deanna O'Brien
From the Editor: This presentation was presented at the convention of the 2020 National Federation of the Blind of New Hampshire state convention. Its author is now the president of the affiliate. She and her husband have two grown children, and talking with her is a real delight. Here is what she said to the convention:
"Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." —John Lewis, a tweet from June 2018.
Good afternoon! It is my great privilege to have this opportunity to address the 2020 New Hampshire state convention of the National Federation of the Blind. I have been asked to speak about getting into some “good trouble.” This phrase can be attributed to the late John Lewis, Democratic Representative from Georgia. He was a civil rights icon for decades and was considered the “conscience of the Congress.” He worked tirelessly advocating for the civil rights of all.
“I appeal to all of you to get into this great revolution that is sweeping this nation. Get in and stay in the streets of every city, every village and hamlet of this nation until true freedom comes, until the revolution of 1776 is complete." This was also from John Lewis at the 1963 March on Washington.
John Lewis passed away on July 17, 2020, during the national convention of the NFB. When I zoomed in to the Saturday morning session, what a great surprise! The NFB had put together a video using archival footage of John Lewis addressing its members. I was transfixed by his message. He spoke of “getting into trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble.” Never before had someone put into words what I have felt all my life. This was a defining moment for me at this convention, which, by the way, was my first national convention. The fire was kindled, and it burned red hot.
What can I do with this newfound energy? How can I best serve the blind community and promote the central principles of the NFB—equality, security, and opportunity? Where did I truly begin to advocate for myself? What was the spark in my life? I believe it can be traced in part to this event I'm about to describe.
I can remember this day most vividly. It was fifty-seven years ago, almost to the month. I was twelve years old. It was a Thanksgiving afternoon, and a group of us decided to go the neighborhood school to play on the playground. We made it to the school, but an unfenced construction site beckoned us in. The building would eventually become the new cafeteria but, for now, it was an enticing place to play.
We began to explore and, of course, found a way to climb up into the building. Up and up we went, climbing onto scaffolding and pulling ourselves up using beams and poles. All of the sighted kids made it to the top and, with much effort, so did I. It must be noted that I am totally blind, but I was totally not going to miss this experience.
I arrived at the top, and it was AWESOME! Kids were running around everywhere. Chaos reigned supreme! I could hear the openness and feel the cool air. My brother advised me not to walk around without assistance because there were wide gaps between the planks, and it was a long way down.
Now kids were jumping from the building into some sand below. Soon I was left alone on the top of the building. My heart began to race with fear, but my brain said “You know you are going to jump.” I could hear kids below, and my brother said to step forward to the edge. I did so.
As I stood there, it was getting colder, and I could feel the sun setting low on my face. It got quiet, and I knew I had to make a decision. My brother Steve said, “Deanna, listen!” He scraped his shoe on the ground below. “Do you hear that? That is gravel. Don’t jump there.” Then he moved and said “Do you hear this?” I heard nothing. “This is sand. Jump here. Jump to my voice!”
"You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light. Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant." —John Lewis, from his 2017 memoir, "Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America."
I knew what I was going to do, and my feet left the platform. I fell through the cool late afternoon air. It was exhilarating! It was magnificent! Then I landed softly in the sand to the cheers of all my friends. I stood up for myself. I was a part of, rather than apart from. I was included, not excluded. What a day!
The struggle is real. Many challenges can be found. I, too, have faced my share of disappointments and setbacks. When I was a small child, a youngster’s father removed me from a piece of play equipment; he said I must go home because I was blind, and he might be sued if I got hurt. When I was thirteen, a mother told my mother that children like me should be “locked in the backyard where they can’t be seen.” A professor at Arizona State University ended my elementary education degree because I could not teach handwriting on the chalkboard. A vocational rehabilitation counsellor tormented me unrelentingly during final exams by asking for detailed information about the fiery crash which took my mother’s life. I can think of so many more examples of prejudice, blatant cruelty, and disrespect.
But there is a way. “We have been too quiet for too long. There comes a time when you have to say something. You have to make a little noise. You have to move your feet. This is the time.” —John Lewis, at a 2016 House sit-in following the Pulse shooting in Orlando. I did get my degree from Arizona State University, not in teaching but, rather, in Latin American History, where I graduated Phi Beta Kappa.
Someone else is making some noise and getting into “good trouble” in New Hampshire. Jody Ianuzzi has taken on the problem in Keene where some cab drivers are not allowing the blind to travel with their guide dogs. “When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something. To do something. Our children and their children will ask us, ‘What did you do? What did you say?’…” —John Lewis, December 2019 remarks in the House on impeachment of President Donald Trump.
We at this convention know that much work lies ahead. The NFB fights the fight every day, advocating for equality, security and opportunity for all blind people. Apathy is an impediment to progress. I am asking all of the blind across this great state to get involved. Please become part of the work that needs to be done. I ask this convention to make some noise, some necessary noise. It is time to step forward and get in some “good trouble,” creating better opportunities so that all blind people everywhere can live their best lives. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." —Maya Angelou. Me too!