ADDRESSING SUPERIOR MENTALITY

i attended Philly Premiere: “Out In The Night” by Blair Doroshwalther at Drexel University's URBN Center Annex (3401 Filbert Street). A great documentary based on four lesbian women who were put in prison for defending themselves. Great exposure on how women and transgender are further raped by a society that plays blind to women and femmes as human beings. The human rights of women and femmes are denied by superior mentality and this mentality is what we really need to have a conversation about. 

Blair stated that she learned about The New Jersey Four from the first reports of their case and wanted to cover their story because she works on these issues. Blair questioned herself about producing the documentary because of the color of her skin. She didn’t think that she should document, because she’s caucasian and the victims are women of color. Perfect example of culture clash, the organizer in Blair saw a story that needed more attention but was hesitant because of culture to approach the women and ask to document their story. The common thread of exposing injustice allowed all involved to get to know each other and tell the story of how women are harshly raped and punished while men get a slap on the wrist. Getting to know the persons and subject is very important if we want to build each other versus control each other. “Out In The Night” premiere panel discussion showed a woman director from a different culture that partnered with four women to raise awareness of the torture of women trapped in a male dominated justice system. No exploitation, no twisting the facts, no pacifying.

Listening to the panel discussion and Patreese call for us to come together i realized that we could come together with honest conversation about superior thinking. Lately most everyone i meet has Quaker background. i had a conversation with a woman who identified as Quaker and socially responsible. She told me that in light of #BlackLivesMatter that she and others of “superior status are coming together to figure out how to address the racism going on in our society.” i asked her to record their meetings for that is revolutionary. Superior thinking created racial bias and facing those attributes in oneself is not always easy. Learning to communicate with diverse cultures can also be a challenge when you have been conditioned not to respect or recognize cultures outside of your comfort zone. We really need to continue this conversation that got some sparks with Philadelphia magazine “Being White In Philly”. 

Before entering the premiere i had time to view Ray Bartkus “STORYLINE” in The Leonard Pearlstein Gallery at Drexel University's URBN Center Annex (3401 Filbert Street). i walk into the gallery and my spirit tells me here is some of your documentary STORYLINE IN LIVING COLOR!! Who's controlling Who? Mr. Ray Bartkus has amazing talent, his paintings look like a photo, the details are filled with life almost like looking at reality t.v.!! #art4justice 

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