The Documentary Group - Not My Son

Monday

Dec072009

Not My Son

Carolyn Johnson-Turner drives the car in which her son was shot to death. She wears buttons bearing his picture. She visits his grave almost every week. She doesn't know who killed him, or why. "I wake up every day in a nightmare, and I fight to go to sleep," says Johnson-Turner, whose 20-year-old son Rodreckus was killed while parking his car. She is one of many people who have lost a loved one in Birmingham.

Parents Against Violence Foundation (PAV) was founded on March 1, 2004, by Johnson-Turner as a result of the devastation she experienced when her son, Rodreckus, was shot and killed on November 22, 2003 while attending a birthday party. According to Johnson-Turner, she will never recover from her son’s death. So in order to cope, she is on a personal mission to prevent other deaths. At the same time, her activities serve as therapy to deal with the overwhelming grief. Can Johnson-Turner and PAV really make a difference? The core of Not My Son can be viewed as microcosm of the violent epidemic occurring in the nation’s urban areas.

“There are people behind Birmingham's murder rates, lives that are changed forever. Not My Son gives us a view of the lives that are changed forever by the violence that has become an everyday occurrence. The answers to urban violence are not simple. This documentary untangles some of the complexities associated with fighting crime through the stories of mothers who have turned their grief into action.” George Daniels, Professor of Journalism, The University of Alabama.

Download the Not My Son flyer to help promote the film.

Monday, December 7, 2009 at 6:06PM

Rob Briscoe |

9 Comments |

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Cammeron,

Not My Son,

Trailer

Reader Comments (9)

This is a powerful trailer so I can only imagine what the entire documentary will be like. My prayer is that this documentary will change lives and bring awareness to this epidemic called violence. When people see the faces and the pain of those who have been victimized, perhaps they will understand the damage that it actually causes to a family. Violence is life fire! It destroys beyond recognition! Thank you all for taking the time to delve into the lives of those who have had to live with this pain.

December 28, 2009 |

Cynthia W. Joyner

I have never lost a child, but someone very close to me lost their daughter 1 year ago. To this day she has not yet gotten beyond her death, inwhich I don't think she ever will. Her daughter leaves 2 children behind. I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose someone so "precious". We can all say what we would or would not do or say, but until you walk in those same shoes then and only then can you talk the same "talk".

This documentry is powerful and should bring awareness to all families.

My prayers are extended to all parents who have endured a major loss of a child.

Respectfully,

Phyllis

January 8, 2010 |

Phyllis

Watching the trailer for the documentary brought back the feeling I had when a friend of mine called me that night telling me that Rodreckus was killed. I had already lost a few classmates to violence prior to this news. I always look back at our days at Ensley High School and I can see all of their face as we laughed, played, ran, and walked down those halls on our way to class. It really makes you come to grips with reality in knowing that no one is promised tomorrow. However,even though you will never know when your last moment will be, it pains me to see that alot of our young black men and women have endured some horiffic last moments by being gunned down, stabbed, beaten, etc. Somebody help me to understand where all of this unnecessary hatred is coming from and why haven't we found a resloution to this problem?

My heart will always and forever go out to the parents who have lost a child to senseless acts of violence. May God bless and continue to keep you.

January 25, 2010 |

Shannon Parker

Thank you for taking the time to make a documentary on this devastating problem.So many lives are being lost due to violence. Please continue to shed light on this issue.

January 29, 2010 |

Anonymous

I had an opportunity to view the documentary "Not my Son" and I do not believe there was a dry eye in the building. This is the reality these loved ones have to live daily, and it is my prayer that the God of all peace would comfort all hearts. GOD BLESS YOU Parents Against Violence. You are in my prayers and thoughts.

February 11, 2010 |

Stacey

The devastation of losing your love one is unbelievable. not to mention to lose them to a senseless crime. I pray every day for peace for the families who have lost a love one to senseless murders. To you Carolyn, I commend you for this organization that you have formed. Your reward is yet to come. PEACE be with your son, and all the other families. I love you and your ANGEL in resting and smiling on the GREAT works you are doing. May God Grace and Mercy be with you ALWAYS!

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