That about covers it. He is a great promoter of the use of braille and
accessibility. If Stevie Wonder's status helps with that then I'm all for it.
On May 21, 2016, at 10:28 AM, Steve <pipeguy920@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Larry,
Personally, you expressed my thoughts. I don't think, nor would I expect
Stevie to be as attached to the school as we were because most of the time he
was out on the road performing and with his tutor Ted Hull. Because of his
early success, the school was more of an enabler for him by being able to
contract with Hull to educate Stevie while he was on the road. I think that
MSB took advantage of this in some form of self-aggrandizement, more than
Stevie giving of himself back to the school. Yes, he did give performances
there and participated in a Christmas play, and occasionally, he was at the
school for short stretches when he wasn't touring.
In this sense, Stevie was much different than Ronnie Milsap at the North
Carolina School, Ray Charles at the Florida School, or Clarence Carter at the
Alabama School for the Blind, all of whom didn't have the career or notoriety
when they were students.
I did a Nexis search in the past using the Lexis/Nexis service. From what I
recall, MSB did more identification with Stevie than the other way around.
If you compare this to, say, Clarence Carter or Ray Charles, I think they had
a lot more tied into their early education at their respective blind schools
than Stevie did.
I think that leads to my opinion that he isn't particularly a strong
supporter of MSB; although in my mind, that really doesn't matter now since
there is no MSB to really support, except the institution that lives on in
our minds.
This is separate and distinct from my opinion of what Steve does for
humanity. You couldn't find a stronger advocate for humanitarian causes; and
certainly not for integrating products for the blind to use than Steve or
Mike May.
Now, let me become a bit more unpopular...
What was stated by some listers that he wasn't supportive of the school is
not really character assassination. Character assassination requires that
the fact be untrue and that it be stated with the motive of running down the
other person's reputation. In this case, there was no such motive; just an
opinion.
I'm frankly disappointed in two things having to do with this.
First, I think some people jumped on others for expressing how they felt.
That's disappointing. There was a lot of defensiveness and demeaning in some
of this, very disappointed in that. As Donald Trump would say "OKAY???"
Second, the organization behind this supposed Birthday Party. If they are
using this as a means of fund-raising, they are purporting a fraud on the
public. I'm sure they knew, or reasonably should have known, that Stevie
would not be appearing as such a function. To attempt to tie into his
birthday and conducting the event at the former Gym of MSB, to me reeks of
deceit and deception.
Steve
Class of '72
----- Original Message -----
From: lkeeler@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2016 6:22 AM
Subject: [msb-alumni] Re: Celebrity and Schools for the Blind
Hey Marrk, I heard that Stevie was on the road a lot while at the school.
I’ve also heard that he offered free tickets to his concerts to MSB and noone
took them. I only mention that because I wonder if the bond between him and
the school was different than ours.
From: Mark Martin
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2016 1:11 AM
To: MSB Alumni
Subject: [msb-alumni] Celebrity and Schools for the Blind
I got to thinking about how many schools for the blind can boast of an
alumnus as well known as Stevie? I can think of a couple of others, Ronnie
Milsap from the Governor Morehead School in North Carolina, and Ray Charles
from Florida. How supportive have they been? Personally I don't know. Those
of you who apparently track these things could perhaps fill us in! Maybe this
would give you the satisfaction in knowing they have been more supportive of
their schools, or maybe they have done no better. We here in Michigan have
nothing left to support. I actually don't know the status of Florida and
North Carolina. We have two Christmas concerts with Stevie singing solos.
How many schools for the blind can lay claim to that, and how about Stevie
writing one of his best known songs right there on our campus! "My Cherie
Amour" reached the number 4 position on the national Billboard charts in
1969. What is behind this anyway? Envy? Jealousy? Why hasn't Stevie obtained
a car for _me! After all, I shared the same campus with him! Better yet, I
was in the same classroom with him a few times! Personally, I know he owes me
absolutely nothing. Would you be willing to trade your freedom to come and
go in public without being harassed for your autograph, pound of flesh and
whatever else? Oh yeah! the money would be great but I don't know about the
rest for me. A number of years ago I was sent to and ear specialist in
Lapeer, and somehow the subject of MSB and the fact that Stevie Wonder had
graduated from there was discussed. This really interested the doctor so
upon my next visit I brought my 1969 yearbook so he could see Stevie there.
The guy went nearly nuts for a couple of minutes and really appreciated me
showing me that book and showed it off to some of his staff. What is it that
makes some of us blind folks so critical! Is it the high rate of unemployment
or what? We have someone in our alumni that few other schools for the blind
can claim.
Mark Martin, 73.
