Sue Austin and Disability as Art Jan16

Sue Austin and Disability as Art

Have you ever heard of “disability art”? Neither had I. Sue Austin is an artist, a performance artist, to be precise. And she is disabled, confined to a wheel chair. Except that she won’t allow it be confining. Actually, that’s not quite right. It’s not so much that the goal of her art is to transcend her wheelchair, but to repurpose it. To actually make use of it to see – and help us to see – the world differently. It’s a striking idea. That while one can certainly approach challenge, hardship, suffering, and disability as things to be resisted, overcome, and transcended, those aren’t the only options. Another valid...

Wright’s Law and the Power of Love Jan11

Wright’s Law and the Power of Love

At first you think this is a video about an amazing teacher, Jeffrey Wright, who is willing to do just about anything to engage his students in learning — learning about physics, about themselves, about each other and the world. Then you think it’s really about the power of vulnerability, of self-disclosure, as Mr. Wright shares with them some of his personal life and in this way creates an atmosphere of profound trust where transformative learning can take place. And then you realize it’s really all about love. In the face of the incredible challenges that Jeffrey and his son and family face, there are a few choices they could...