"Renegades" Screening and Panel Discussion

Join WXXI Education and Move to Include(TM) for a special FREE screening and panel discussion on American Masters' newest series, Renegades.

Renegades is a series of five 10-to-12-minute films designed for an intergenerational digital audience showcasing the lives of little-known historical figures with disabilities, exploring their contributions to U.S. society and unique elements of disability culture. Hosted by musician and disability rights advocate Lachi, and created and produced by a team composed of a majority of D/deaf and disabled filmmakers, the series is designed to increase public knowledge of disability history, encourage cross-cultural understanding between non-disabled people and those with disabilities, and also use these individuals’ lives as a point of reflection on broader social, cultural, and political issues.

At this event, we will screen three of the five available films:

Daniel Inouye (1924–2012): A veteran who lost his right arm in WWII while serving in the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Inouye represented Hawai’i in Congress for more than 50 years. While Inouye is primarily known for his career in politics, his Renegades profile focuses on the more intimate narrative of what it means to be disabled and delves into the unique context of military service and societal attitudes surrounding it.

Judith Lynn Del Rey (1943–1986): As an editor, Del Rey, a woman with dwarfism, brought us books from science fiction luminaries such as Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, and even George Lucas’ Star Wars. Del Rey’s chosen genre, science fiction, offers a unique lens through which disability can be reframed and recontextualized. This Renegades profile explores her life, legacy, and the ability of science fiction to shape collective imagination, foster understanding, and change our perspectives on disability.

Brad Lomax (1950–1984): A civil rights and disability rights leader, Lomax’s life story is one of care, community, and compassion. In the 1970s, in Oakland, the Black Panthers were providing free breakfast for kids and a health clinic; only a few miles away in Berkeley, disabled people were organizing for their right to live independently. Lomax’s charisma and organizing skills allowed him to bridge both communities. However, his life and work has largely been erased by the leaders of both movements. This Renegades episode weaves together themes of cultural conflict and confluence.

ASL interpretation will be provided for opening remarks and post-screening panel discussion. This film is presented with open captions and extended audio description.

For more information on parking and accessibility, please visit https://thelittle.org/accessibility/. Additional accommodations may be requested during the registration process.

Please contact Sarah Murphy Abbamonte, Project Manager for Move to Include, at [email protected] with any questions.

Host or Publisher Move to IncludeTM