*(New York, NY) – A new television documentary will tackle the issue of broken families in Black communities all across the United States. “On My Own” will present the stories of African American mothers who are struggling to raise children without help from the men who fathered them.
The hour-long presentation will explore the impact absent fathers have on their families. The story will be told by women who juggle work and family responsibilities, as well as by women who must rely on the government for assistance, as they try to house, raise, feed and educate their children.
Historical perspective will be woven-in, including slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, and the effects of the media and peer pressure on women and children will be explored. And the contributions of the black church also will be covered.
We will hear from the children and about the difficulties they face – their need for a male role model, their feelings of inadequacy, abandonment and frequently of guilt, and of the resentment they often experience.
And we will hear from fathers, some who regret not having been there for their families, and some who would like to assume a greater role in raising their children.
Noting that a disproportionately large percentage of the black women she came in contact with were single mothers, filmmaker Rachel Miller observed that they were “intelligent, productive, beautiful, and strong.”
“Even though I understand the historic and social events that brought about this social dilemma,” she said, “I am still very saddened and troubled by it, and determined to do something about it.”
In an attempt to present an “open dialogue” between black fathers, mothers, children, sociologists, parenting organizations, religious leaders and the entire community about developing and implementing strategies aimed at reversing this “most distressing social condition,” “On My Own” is due to be launched soon on Kickstarter.com to raise awareness of the project, and hopefully to generate the funding needed to ensure its 2012 release.
“As is so often the case,” Miller said, “this project is falling short of the funding it needs to bring it to fruition. I am, however, confident that once the public is aware of the subject matter, and of the raw and honest way in which it is presented, they will open their hearts and be supportive of it.”
Miller concluded: “It’s time for serious discussion about this problem, and for change in the Black Family.”
Cheryl Wills, television anchor for New York 1 News and author of “Die Free: A Heroic Family Tale,” said, “[Rachel Miller's] documentary addresses this societal issue through these stories, and also reviews slavery in the United States and its long lasting effect on the structure of the Black Family,”
Rachel Miller is a young black filmmaker with a Master’s Degree in Media Arts from Long Island University. She currently works for New York 1 News in New York City, having served previously as a public affairs television assistant for Bill Moyers (PBS).
To view the trailer for “On My Own,” or to contact filmmaker Rachel Miller, visit: www.littleharrietproductions.com.
To pledge your support – and for more info – visit: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/131111839/on-my-own
source:
Rachel Miller
littleharrietproductions@gmail.com
I researched Rachel Miller to get a better feel for her, and wish this documentary included more than Black women.
Yawn. another story about the female victim and the male antagonist. let’s not pretend that all single black mothers are virtuous women. I suspect this documentary will only focus on those who did the right thing but in the end were wronged by their partner. but what about the multitude of women with multiple sexual partners who don’t have a clue who impregnanted them, or the women who know their man already has a bunch of kids and isn’t paying a dime in child support or those women just like to do it raw for the hel of it and end up with babies by different fathers. SMDH
And let’s not forget all the non virtuous white and non-Black women caught up in the EXACT same scenario. Look how many go at it ‘raw’ then turn around suing all these soon to be broke athletes! Their mixed children are highly represented in orphanages and foster care all over the world…plus many are ditched and abandoned with their Black parent’s family. Something tells me you’re one of ‘those’ kids…care to shed any light on your experience?
Sure Melody. I’ll share my experience as soon as you tell us what it was like being raised by a pack of wolves. You made your point, I made mine. Since Ms Miller is focusing only on Black women in her so called documentary, my comments were restricted to black women. It seems in order for you to validate your points, you must mentions races– which is clearly out of scope of the documentary.