Martin Krafft reports in his blog posting about “Linux for visually-impaired (developers)”, a presentation made by a blind Debian Developer at the LCA:
So when I write about Jason’s presentation and how great it was, I want to highlight how it’s a greater achievement for him than it would be for me, because he is blind and I am not. I don’t mean to single him out or put him on the spot. I am simply impressed, very impressed. And being who I am, I’d like to say so.
Thanks, Jason.
Before that comes half a posting worth of excuses, about being impressed when members of minorities achieve anything (his example where women in Debian’s development). His reason: “[Because] when I utter such a comment, it might still greatly annoy someone or yield vicious returns.” Sadly, after going a long way, he doesn’t make the — in my eyes — most important connection: Why does his statement offend?
To explore that, let us compare the statements “I was impressed by you presentation” and “I was impressed by your presentation, because you’re blind”. The important question is now, why are we blind people doing great presentations more impressing than people with working eyes doing a great presentation? My personal answer isn’t so great: “because I didn’t expect it.” No wonder people get offended if you I tell’em to their face that I’m impressed with his achievements, because I wouldn’t have expected it. Ouch! I think I still have to work on (against) my prejudices.
Observe yourself the next time you’re impressed, can you hear your thinking?
Update:Martin has updated his posting with an answer. The most interesting part for me is probably this transcribed quote from Jason:
I want my work to be judged by its merit and not by who I am.
For me, this reflects the fundamental problem with our prejudices.