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"See what She Could Not"

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/05/02/ault.kel...AFF?iref=videosearch

This is one of those things that seem offensive only after you think about it. Did the people in charge of the billboard get the attention they wanted from it? Or did they simply not think before they put that phrase on the billboard?
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Now, I am about as politically corectly minded as anyone I know but this just does not offend me. She could not see. We all know that. That is part of what made her famous - her accomplishments in spite of her limitations. What is wrong with saying, "Come see what she could not?" It doesn't make fun of her or anyone else, it is honest, and I think it is quite thought provoking.
Bubba, I believe you have hit the nail right on the head here. We as a socity have become so easily offended that we have forgotten the truth behind some of those things that we get so upset about.

Just as you noted Ms.Keller was blind and anybody that know anything about her knows that, so why are so many people taken about by saying on a billboard that says she couldn't see?

I agee with GF it could just be a ploy to get attention but at the same time I don't think that would have been the phrase of choice if you were looking for attention.
The ad worked perfectly.

CNN did a national piece that explains a little about who Helen Keller was, that her birthplace is a tourist attraction, and it's located in Tuscumbia. That publicity didn't cost a dime.

I don't know how it is in outdoor advertising, but televised spots are usually picked apart a few times by several people before making air. I'm willing to bet the advertisers were betting on a little controversy to gain attention. It did exactly what an ad is supposed to do.
I don't know that it is particularly offensive, but my smart butt side wants to say, I can go anywhere and see what she couldn't see, she wasn't only blind in Tuscumbia. Perhaps it would have been better to play up on "The Miracle Worker" angle with something like, Come see where HER miracle began, or something like that.
quote:
Originally posted by rbh91:
I don't know that it is particularly offensive, but my smart butt side wants to say, I can go anywhere and see what she couldn't see, she wasn't only blind in Tuscumbia. Perhaps it would have been better to play up on "The Miracle Worker" angle with something like, Come see where HER miracle began, or something like that.


Good idea....
Okay, seriously, I fail to see HOW this could possibly be construed as offensive in any shape or form.

Helen Keller was BLIND, DEAF and MUTE. Duh. It's no secret. In fact, it's the reason why her life IS so celebrated. It's BECAUSE she was blind, deaf and mute yet overcame so much adversity to achieve the magnificent things she did that 60,000+ people flock to her birthplace every year. It's why a major motion picture and two successful TV specials have been made about her life. I doubt very much that you'd ever hear anyone chastised for looking around the grounds of Ivy Green and saying, "Wow, what a beautiful place. It's so sad Helen couldn't see her own home."

Since when has stating the obvious, without malice, become offensive? Did I not get the memo or something????

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