F*** that day; that’s why God, or whoever,
makes new days. –Precious
Stellar performances. Raw. Honest. Resolute. Necessary.
The word 'resolute' immediately came up for me at the end of the film. Why? Well remember the scene in the social worker’s office, towards the end of the film where Precious grabs her two children and vows to never see her mother again? This is an example of being resolute or resolving to do something, for a greater good or personal advancement.
Let me interject that although the film Precious was shot right here in New York City, the subject matter, including incest, exists in the crevices of communities all over the world.
What was the most powerful force in Precious’ life that propelled her out of her mother’s bubble of mental illness, incest and codependence? For me it was love.
Love: Mrs. Lichtenstein, the principal at Precious’ school (remember when Mrs. Lichtenstein went to Precious’ apartment building and gave her the information to Each One Teach One alternative school?); The Each One Teach One office where Cornrows takes the time to explain what an alternative school is; Precious’ classmates at Each One Teach One; The steadfast persistence of Ms. Rain, the GED teacher; even the candor of Ms. Weiss, Precious’ social worker. Precious trusted in the love and concern others had for her. Precious, indeed, gave herself a chance.
I am who I am today because of the beautiful people, who loved me and believed in my true greatness as a teen living in foster care through young adulthood. (Check out my memoir, Validation Denied, Grace Bestowed: somewhere between the ghetto and God was something called foster care…).
Why peoples that barely know me should be nicer to me
than my mother and my father? I feel warm. –Precious
So, as the public at large, our call to action is really simple. Here, let mmake it excruciatingly easy for those of you who might be shy or reluctant: gently meet the eyes of a teen(s) and give a nod of reassurance. There. That’s it. No words need to be uttered, not even an embrace. just an acknowledgement that their existence is crucial, and that they are great and valued.
Next on Q’s B-Spot: Resolution 2010.
Teen Task: 1. Give yourself a chance. 2. Go see Precious 3. Write in your journal or notebook which character(s) you relate to or discuss how the film, as a whole, strengthens you in your own journey towards self-love and resolve. 4. Discuss this blog or other topics, personal concerns or issues with your parents or people with whom you feel safe sharing your thoughts – at least they can’t say they didn’t know, right?
Fun Fact: Gabourney Sidibe (“Precious”) was born in Brooklyn, New York and had no acting experience or formal training. Ms. Sidibe, a former psychology major, was nominated for several awards following her landmark debut, and is already cast in her next film, Yelling to the Sky, to be released in 2010.
Thank you for reading. Visit our website at http://www.beyondlabelz.com/ ~ Quelyn
Copyright©2009 Quelyn Purdie.
