Ed Roberts, Activist
Dr. William Bronston: Ed's Impact Internationally
Dr. William Bronston: He was very clear the magnitude, the impact that he had on people. And he would talk about the magnitude of impact that he had on them. He would explain the magic trick, how it worked. You know, what he was going to do to change them. And it worked.
When he was in Japan, it was amazing because people live in worlds of such diminution, such disappearance, such oppression, such subordination, such lack of respect, such low expectations, which is… expectations are everything in terms of what you wind up becoming. So in Japan, there's a world, you know, and it's very rigid and very clear and people with disabilities have a very clear role in that world.
When he was in Australia, the same kind of a thing…
I mean, he went to places and he met with people who never in their lives, never in their families' lives, in their ancestors' lives had a breath of fresh air that essentially affirmed their status in their cultures. And it was a worldwide supportive culture. through worldwide organization. That his presence essentially affirmed, you know, validated. And the result was amazing changes.