PBS Engage

I wish more people watched PBS.

For all the crappy TV shows that get made every year, PBS is the constant work horse that produces quality programming. Check out their new site www.pbs.org/engage

It explores "what role social media can play in public broadcasting."

There are plenty of cool features including links to blogs, documentaries and a section for you to give feedback.

Deaf Filmmakers

One question permeated my mind as I watched PBS's Through Deaf Eyes: why hadn't I learned this before?

I could not understand why this vital part of American culture was neglected throughout all my years of history classes. Why were Deaf American stories so easily silenced in the pages of history textbooks? Why are the disability acts so often ignored in the context of everyday political conversations? All these questions were stacking up and left me inspired yet saddened. I was inspired because a documentary had given me an informative and engaging insight into Deaf American culture. I was saddened because I felt like I had been cheated from understanding Deaf culture for so long and that even though this documentary was excellent, I knew that most of "hearing America" probably wasn't watching and rejoicing along with me. But this is the case with many of the documentaries I watch on PBS, even Oscar winning documentaries are not hot topics like they should be. When was the last time a PBS documentary was the thing to talk about at work on Monday? But that's another story.

One of my hobbies is learning about different cultures, so I'm naturally drawn to the kind of programming that gives me a glimpse into the lives of others. Through Deaf Eyes does a splendid job of doing just that. The documentary was flavored with interviews, short films from deaf filmmakers, archive video and photos of important moments in Deaf American history and other examples of what it was like for deaf people growing up before and after the Civil Rights Movement. One of the highlights was when deaf college students rallied together at Gallaudet University to protest against the school for choosing a hearing woman as the president over the two other deaf candidates. It was amazing to see how happy the students were when the media and the rest of the country came to their aid and sided with them in their battle. It's like you could feel this collectively sigh from the Deaf community that whispered "You care." It was a beautiful thing.

Then there was a really interesting interview with deaf actress Marlee Matlin who won an Oscar for best actress in Children of a Lesser God. It's the ground-breaking story about a deaf woman and a hearing man falling in love. This was a big moment for the Deaf community, in the Halle Berry and Denzel Washington winning an Oscar sense. And for me, as a filmmaker and movie buff, I must admit to being ashamed about being unfamiliar with this movie and having no idea of its significance until watching Through Deaf Eyes. But the good part is that it landed a spot on my must-see movie list.

I could go on gushing about how great this documentary is but for your sake, I'll leave you with this, please watch this film. Check out PBS.org to find when a re-run airs or buy the film and watch it with a couple of friends. Through Deaf Eyes is only a scratch on the surface about the Deaf community, so hopefully you will do a little digging and learn some more. While you're at it check out these cool blogs: A Deaf Mom Shares Her World, Deaf in the City, Somewhat Silent, Discussing Over Coffee, Keylime Pie Lovers Unite and Deaf Blogs.

Dystonia

I couldn't help but cry when Shari Tritt used sign language to answer if she ever thought she would get married. She doubted than anyone would love and accept her without a normal speaking voice, uncontrollable drool and her body contorted. But then the interviewer asked her what about Ira? Shari responded with tears in her eyes, "He saw my heart". For that moment in time the camera caught one of the best things about the human spirit...the power of love.

Dystonia was a foreign word to me before I saw Twisted on PBS' [i]ndependent Lens. What was dystonia? Who did it effect? And how did it come to find itself on my favorite TV channel?

What is dystonia? The film's website says " dystonia is a neurological disorder that forces your muscles into abnormal, often painful, movements or postures. Dystonia can affect one muscle group, or your whole body; it can cause your body to twist. It is as though your brain has a mind of its own." Wikipedia puts it this way: "The disorder may be inherited or caused by other factors such as birth-related or other physical trauma, infection or reaction to drugs."

Who is effected by it? Shari Tritt (who was born with the genes), Pat Brogan (a basketball coach who was hit by a car) and 30,000 others in the United States.

Who produced the documentary? Laurel Chiten wrote, directed, produced and narratored this film. She was was diagnosed with dystonia when she was 17.

I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful and touching this documentary was, and the clip below doesn't do justice to the depth of this subject. Hopefully you will catch a re-run of Twisted on PBS, buy the DVD, organize a screening, or maybe even do all three. Stories like these are rare jewels in the sludge of TV programming and that's why PBS is still the best station on television. Hopefully, the rest of the country will wake-up and realize that.



For more info visit the official website for Twisted and PBS.org