Precious Moments

Precious Moments

What is was Washington Post writer Courtland Milloy talking about? In his Washington Post column (http://bit.ly/1IWZQ) dated 11/18/2009, he said that the film “Precious”, “has about as much redeeming social value as a porn flick.” WOW! What movie did he watch? In the words of one of my partners, “he missed it.”

“Precious” is about an illiterate teenage Black girl growing up in late 1980’s NYC who lives with her abusive mother. She has already had one child by her mother’s boyfriend resulting in a child with Down’s syndrome and is pregnant with his second child. {{I won’t tell the rest of the story}}

What I saw in Precious is an open look into the depraved and dismal circumstances of incest, physical and emotional abuse, disregard for education, abuse of the “system” and many other things that are wrong in this country. This is particularly true of many Black girls (and boys), many of whom we might cross paths with daily. I live in Metropolitan DC and grew up in NYC. I wonder how many Claireece “Precious” Jones’ I have bumped into or even know?

I also saw how even though these atrocious things happen that one can still dream of having a better life regardless of the circumstances handed them. This is also part of the story line which Mr. Milloy must have missed when he went to get some gummy bears.

Mr. Milloy states that after viewing the movie, he noticed that, “moviegoers appeared sullen and depressed.” Well, were we supposed to be ecstatic? This movie probably reminded us of situations that each of us is aware of or God forbid have experienced. All movies are not solely for comedic expression, drama, mystery, action, love, etc. Some are made to make us aware of, think about and hopefully act upon what we have just seen?

Mr. Milloy missed out on the opportunity to further expose this problem that has been quietly (read: purposely) forgotten/hidden in the Black community. There were so many moans, tears and sniffling in that theater? Somehow, the movie touched on more than just heartstrings for poor Precious. Speaking to my wife afterwards over lunch she reminded me that many Black women have been subject to some or all of the atrocities we viewed in this film.

In my community we always hear about strong Black women. What about hurt Black women? What about the hurt Back woman that strives to take care of herself and her family despite the s#^! she has to go through Mr. Milloy? You work in DC, what are you looking at in your travels? Did the movie evoke some suppressed feelings that you have experienced or are aware of? Hmmm!