UA’s Gladney Lecture to Feature Screening of ‘Darius Goes West’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The annual Rose Gladney Lecture on Justice and Social Change at The University of Alabama will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by showing “Darius Goes West” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the Bama Theater.

The award-winning film “Darius Goes West” is about 15-year-old Darius Weems from Athens, Ga, who was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children worldwide. In 1999, he watched his beloved older brother, Mario, pass away from the same disease at age 19. Soon after, Darius lost use of the muscles in his legs and had to begin using a wheelchair.

With the help of some friends, Darius travels across the country in a journey that leads to evaluating wheelchair accessibility in America, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act and raising awareness of DMD.

The 2007 film has won 28 awards, and has continued to raise research funds since it was first shown.

Film director Logan Smalley, who will discuss the making of the film and its reception, and Darius Weems, the focus of the documentary, will join the discussion via SKYPE.

The event, co-sponsored by UA departments of American studies and race and gender studies, the Hoole Library and the College of Arts and Sciences, is free and open to the public, including high school and college students.

Dr. Rose Gladney, namesake of the lecture series and retired UA associate professor of American studies, will be in attendance to honor a branch of the struggle for justice and social change.