Each film will be followed by a facilitated group discussion led by Associate Director of Human Resources Nancy Resnick, who has taught classes on disability awareness and other diversity issues.
The series begins Tuesday, March 23 with a viewing of “Beyond Disability: the FeFe Stories,” a 26-minute film that won a 2005 Superfest award for Achievement and Spirit. It was produced by the Empowered Fefes, a group of young women with varied disabilities who were involved in a Chicago mentoring program. In the film, the women share their personal stories as they canvas the Chicago streets for first-hand knowledge of people’s attitudes about disability.
The series continues Wednesday, March 24 with the film “Disability Culture Rap,” which won the 2000 Superfest Best of Festival and Spirit award. The 23-minute experimental documentary, featuring poet and activist Cheryl Marie Wade, takes a fresh look at disability in America. Not the usual anthropological study, the film gives direct voice to the disabled, exploring in their own words issues like disability pride, independent living, the power of language and images, sexuality, community, and the right to live with dignity.
After each film, Nancy Resnick will lead a group discussion that will challenge viewers to examine how they perceive disabled people and reconcile those ideas with fact-based information. Attendees will come away with fresh insights and a new perspective about disability.
Both films begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room on the HSU campus and will end at 7:00 p.m. The event is free to all and cookies and lemonade will be provided.
For information and to sign up, visit: http://training.humboldt.edu/Training_calendar.php