Discussion Guide
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-10
Grades 11-12

The Ride Ahead: Discussion Guide

Using This Guide

This guide is an invitation to dialogue and designed specifically with young people in mind. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection and is designed for people who want to use THE RIDE AHEAD to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and communities. In contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. Be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult. For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit bit.ly/
ScreenTheRideAhead
.

Sources

About the authors

Rosemary McDonnell-Horita

Rosemary McDonnell-Horita is a disabled Japanese-American woman living in the East Bay of California.

She’s been supporting, advocating, and fiercely fighting for disability inclusion for 10+ years. In 2018 Rosemary ran Colorado’s inaugural Youth Leadership Forum for students with disabilities, in partnership with local independent living centers. Rosemary led the Impact Campaign for the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp in 2020, Fire Through Dry Grass in 2023 and Patrice: The Movie in 2024. She has worked with additional clients including Google, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and numerous others. She’s currently an independent contractor and working on writing a cookbook. In her free time she enjoys working in her vegetable garden, making playlists and cooking for people she loves.

Author photo