Be so busy improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
Chetan Bhagat
Coming Out: Painting Leah.
As I continue my journey toward being the best possible advocate for anyone with a marginalized identity, I’ve been more and more intrigued by the journey travelled by those who are transgender. The T in LGBTQ (I, A, etc.) stands for transgender and the generally accepted definition of that term is anyone who may have an internal self-identity that doesn’t necessarily correlate with the gender they were assigned at birth.
Folks who are transgender, I’ve learned, often experience constant confusion about why they feel this way and once they come to accept their personally-defined gender role, they can develop means of trying to live a more authentic life, not conforming necessarily to what society has defined them as. It’s the definition of a struggle.
I relate to that struggle in (what I think is) a strange way, as my I’ve had conflicts all my life with my body not necessarily always performing or doing what I would prefer it to do as a person with a physical disability (paraplegia).
As an advocate, I’ve learned over the years that the best thing you can do for someone is simply be present as a support system for them. That’s why I’ve spent time reading more and more and therefore learning more and more about the challenges that people who are transgender face, so that I can be a better advocate and support in those situations for people that I know and love.
One of the most direct influences and exposures I’ve had through this journey is easily Jazz Jennings, a young girl who is a well-known trans activist, too. I’ve watched both seasons of her show that comes on TLC (I Am Jazz), which chronicles her successes, struggles, and interactions with everyday life as a growing teenager who also happens to be trans. I ended up on her YouTube channel and discovered the video below, and wanted to share it with you all. The narrative is inspiring.
“Painting Leah: A Short Film by Jazz Jennings” depicts a young artist who comes out to his mother using his passion and talents as a painter. It’s moving to watch. From the creation of the painting, to the dramatic journey down the stairs to where he knows his mother is waiting, he eventually comes out to her as trans, with his trans name being “Leah,” hence the title.
Take 3 or 4 minutes to check out the video. If you understand the narrative behind it and have compassion for those who are a part of the trans community, I can almost guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.
Tribes. A Book Review.
2 things to start with, right out the gate:
- 1. One of the first things I ever heard author and entrepreneur Seth Godin say was that before any blog post he ever writes, he tries to write it like it’s going to be his last. As an avid blogger, that really stuck with me.
- 2. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to try and develop a business, create a following, start a movement, etc.
If you read nothing else in this blog, know that those are the 2 main reasons I picked up Tribes.
Baby girlllll.
No words necessary. The picture should be just enough. :)
Because I just continue to be really impressed by Apple.
If you’ve read HESONWHEELS with any kind of frequency you, for sure, know by now how much I value Apple as a company. See this and this if you’re not quite sure.
That’s why, today, I really want to share this new program that the company recently launched with you. I follow the website MacRumors closely and today they posted a story about Apple’s partnership with ConnectEd.
President Obama launched the ConnectED initiative back in 2013 and through it the federal government pledged more than $100,000,000 worth of funding to schools that were classified as underserved across the United States.
By teaming up with and supporting the initiative, Apple is committing to the goal of accessibility, inclusion, and most importantly here: education equality. Not only are they providing technology but they are also providing the education and training that is needed so that teachers and students alike can take maximum advantage of that technology.
Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.
There are other companies like Verizon and Microsoft that have also gotten involved with the ConnectEd initiative. Check out the links within to learn more. Simply put: thank you, Apple, for being so pronounced in your support of education and access in so many ways.
Sunday Funday.
Endorsed: Mr. Robot.
That’s one of my favorite quotes after having finished a recent episode of Mr. Robot. I’m all about this show, and I never, ever thought I would be.
Months ago, I first heard about it after a bunch of friends started watching it. The way they described it – as a psychological thriller – made me think it would be a bit dark for me. Then, earlier this summer, Kimmie W. and I were looking for a new show to begin watching together (I’ve been consuming a ton of media with all of this downtime that I’ve had). After a few recommendations she, too, mentions the show too.
And then, in a real kicker, I log into my Amazon Prime account and it recommends the show to me through their Amazon Video feature. When my algorithms figure me out, I feel like that’s the truest sign that I need to listen.
Now that I’ve finished all of the first season and the first 3 episodes of the second season in about two weeks, I have to say: this is 1 of the best shows of the summer.
The show stars Rami Malek (he was actually in a few episodes of 24 – and you know how much I loved 24!) as Elliot, a young computer hacker. He works for a cyber-security firm by day but is a vigilante underground computer hacker and coder by night. There’s the conflict.
TONIGHT! LIVE ART Premieres on National TV.
Inclusion. Everybody. Compassion. Love. Art. Performance. That is LIVE ART.
Almost 2 years ago, I published this heart-felt, long, long post about an amazing, inclusive, and powerful program I had recently discovered. Although I didn’t begin that day as a part of their community, by the end of it – I was so deep and wanted to be even a bigger part of it.
That community is the LIVE ART community.
The above is the trailer from “From the Wings,” a movie about SPARC’s LIVE ART program.
Being witness to the LIVE ART project and its development changed my life. It re-sparc’d (see what I did there?) my passion for working with students of all abilities. In the smallest example, since meeting and working with staff members and students who are involved with the development of LIVE ART, I’ve learned much more sign language. I learned a whole other language just to communicate with some of these great people! I mean, isn’t that the definition of inclusivity? Otherwise, it firmly and passionately reminded me the importance of having a seat for everyone at any table and that there is limitless value added in practicing inclusivity.
The immersion you feel as an actual part of this program is something that I can only imagine. Because the sensory experience – visual, physical, spatial, compassion(al), … they are all there. I am grateful to have developed friendships with so many who are the heart of LIVE ART. If you watch this movie – you can get kind of close to that feeling, too.
Over the years, LIVE ART has impacted the lives of hundreds of students and it has also impacted dozens more staff member’s lives. I hope you will tune in – and at least for the short time that you are watching, it will impact yours, too.
“This big audience, just wanting to see you.”
Tonight, 9:00 p.m., your local Public Broadcasting System (PBS) affiliate. Check out that link, too – it’ll air again on Sunday and that calendar looks like it will be updated periodically in the future.
Thanks for reading.