BY ELAINE KLAASSEN
There is suffering that simply exists because we are alive. And, there is suffering in the world for which we must take responsibility. Many of the films regarding the latter are screened at WAMM offices, 4200 Cedar. On June 25 they showed “The Ghosts of Johnston County,” by a young filmmaker named Eric Juth. The film chronicles the work of people in Johnston County, N.C., who began to protest the airfield in their sleepy little town when they discovered it was a departure point for secret CIA renditions flights. They were ordinary people not particularly looking for a cause who were compelled to activism because of their conscience. This was about 10 years ago. During that time there was slight media coverage, in the New York Times and The Washington Post, but a NYT article in 2013 piqued Juth’s interest. Hopefully Juth’s film, written and directed together with Michele Ferris-Dobles, will bring more awareness to the general public.
The tenacity of this small group of people in North Carolina who care about preventing unnecessary suffering is inspiring. They are quiet, loving people who will not give up. They located one of the men detained and transported to be tortured who was later released and is now living in Italy. They talk with him and his wife regularly by Skype. They can only offer their apologies as Americans, sincere regret and support to these people whose lives have been destroyed for no reason.
WAMM’s Second Monday movie tonight also calls us to take responsibility for the systems that oppress and harm people. “Spanish Lake,” is showing tonight, Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m. This documentary depicts a town eight miles from Ferguson, Mo., which struggles with a chaotic environment. The film highlights a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case from 1971 that changed the course of public housing for the nation. The Village Voice says the film describes “How Ferguson became Ferguson.” Mel Reeves, longtime political activist and writer, will lead a discussion afterwards. Monday Movies are free, with free popcorn.
