George Estreich, author of Fables and Futures: Biotechnology, Disability, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves (MIT Press), will explore the literary aspects of persuasion, with particular attention to metaphor. What values do these persuasive acts embody? Whose purposes do they serve? And whom do they obscure, dehumanize or erase? The literary content of these persuasive acts suggests a necessary role for writers, literary critics and scholars of disability studies, as we seek to guide the use of new and powerful biotechnologies in human beings. 

George Estreich's writing has appeared in Tin House, the New York Times, Salon, and other publications. He teaches writing at Oregon State University.   Prior to Estreich's talk, the UMMA exhibition Mari Katayama will be open for browsing beginning at 5 p.m. In the exhibition, Katayama features her own body in a provocative series of works combining photography, sculpture, and textile.

 

Lead support for this exhibition is provided by the University of Michigan Office of the Provost, Center for Japanese Studies, the Japan Business Society of Detroit, the Japan Cultural Development, and Herbert W. and Susan L. Johe Endowment. Additional generous support is provided by the Susan and Richard Gutow Endowed Fund, the University of Michigan CEW+ Frances and Sydney Lewis Visiting Leaders Fund, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, and Women's Studies Department. 

This program is organized by the department of English Language and Literature and co-sponsored by UMMA and the department of American Culture.