Jo McGowan

Sep 25, 2024 | commonwealmagazine.org | Jo McGowan |Peter Quinn |Alexander Stern |George Scialabba

My grandfather died on the same day as JFK. I was five. Events on television and in our own house merged in my mind until I couldn’t tell the difference between the president who caused the grownups to huddle anxiously in front of the television and the grandfather I had met only once.

Jul 4, 2024 | commonwealmagazine.org | Jo McGowan |Paul Moses |Nick Fagnant |Jonathan Malesic

India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power since 2014, increasing its hold on the country with each election. About six months ago, my husband, Ravi, and a few others began telling people here that its projected win in this year’s elections was far from certain. Few believed them. While everyone wanted it to be true, all the signs said otherwise: not only would the BJP win, but the win this time would be historic. Our children in the United States and the United Kingdom concurred.

Jul 3, 2024 | commonwealmagazine.org | Jo McGowan |Gareth Dale |Alice McDermott |Phil Christman

India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power since 2014, increasing its hold on the country with each election. About six months ago, my husband, Ravi, and a few others began telling people here that its projected win in this year’s elections was far from certain. Few believed them. While everyone wanted it to be true, all the signs said otherwise: not only would the BJP win, but the win this time would be historic. Our children in the United States and the United Kingdom concurred.

Dec 27, 2023 | commonwealmagazine.org | Jo McGowan |Cathleen Kaveny |Alexander Stern

“Miracles,” by Seamus Heaney, has always been a favorite poem of mine. This week it felt turbocharged in its power and humility. Not the one who takes up his bed and walksBut the ones who have known him all alongAnd carry him in—Their shoulders numb, the ache and stoop deeplockedIn their backs, the stretcher handlesSlippery with sweat. And no let-upUntil he’s strapped on tight, made tiltableAnd raised to the tiled roof, then lowered for healing.

Jun 29, 2023 | idronline.org | Jo McGowan

As an organisation that has been working on disability for the past 30 years, Latika operates using a strengths-based approach: When we meet disabled kids and their families, we focus on what’s working and then build on that. We never lead with the problem. This doesn’t mean we ignore the problem. We aren’t pretending that a child’s difficulties can be sorted out with a positive attitude and a sunny smile.