Worksheet: Comparing SourcesName: _______________ Source A: Correspondence between M. R. Barnett and Helen Keller I December 9, 1943Link: https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-02-B036-F01-016.1.2&e=——194-en-20–1–txt–Barnett—-1943–3-7-6-5-3————–0-1 Arcan Ridge Dear Robert, Your letter has just been read to me. Of course my interest in the blind embraces all large movements for their benefit, but it seems to me H. R. 3687 is not vitally important like the proposed legislation for federal insurance against blindness. The particular income tax hardships of a fairly comfortable group like yours and mine are in my view overshadowed by the fact that the great majority of the blind have no income tax. Now my main objective has always been to promote the well-being of those caught in the double tragedy of being poor and blind, and I shall continue to stick to this central endeavor. That is why federal insurance against blindness appeals to me as cogently as insurance against sickness or accident. I am sure that the blind who are better off can solve their special problems in due course without what I regard as luxury assistance from the Government. Because of these considerations I should prefer not to give my support to H. R. 3687. However, if federal insurance against blindness is brought up in Congress, I shall work for it gladly and whole-heartedly. With proud memories of the Brooklyn Industrial Home Anniversary, I am, Cordially yours, Source B: Kim E. Nielsen, The Radical Lives of Helen Keller, (New York: New York University Press, 2004), page 53Keller apparently complied with the vast majority of those requests [for her support], but sometimes she disagreed and refused. For example, when Robert Barnett asked [Helen Keller] in 1943 to write to the Senate Finance Committee chair in support of a clause in the tax bill, allowing blind persons to take flat deduction of $500 to offset expenses incurred Using the metadata provided by the Helen Keller Digital Archive, analyze the following: 1. Who wrote this document? When? Review the secondary source you discussed in class. Keller apparently complied with the vast majority of those requests [for her support], but sometimes she disagreed and refused. For example, when Robert Barnett asked [Helen Keller] in 1943 to write to the Senate Finance Committee chair in support of a clause in the tax bill, allowing blind persons to take flat deduction of $500 to offset expenses incurred Consider the primary source letter and this secondary source together to answer these three questions: |
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