Documentary highlighting gun violence to premiere in Macon Feb. 23
Graphic courtesy of Pop of Genius Films Georgia.
Something positive can come from anything, even violence.
Middle Georgia community members are working to educate individuals and groups on gun violence and homicide. “How to DIE Young in Middle Georgia? A Lifesaving Documentary” will be shown at the Central Church of Christ Feb. 23.
Stacey Jenkins, founder of Pop of Genius Films Georgia, and other individuals from Baldwin and Houston Counties are leading the initiative to reach youth audiences and inform them of the matter. The goal is to decrease crime and violence.
“We planned an event for young people to attend on Oct. 17 during the On the Table event last year that everyone celebrated in Macon, and [we] did not get the response we were looking for,” Jenkins said.
Instead of canceling the event, Jenkins and other leaders took advantage of that time to brainstorm and create a way that they felt could reach the youth and the entire community.
The purpose of the documentary is to create a safe space for difficult conversations surrounding gun violence and homicides.
“We really wanted to address all of the homicides last year. And they are still continuing into 2019. We did not grow up with these types of trends in this region. You know, that’s something that you may have experienced on the West Coast, but that was not an issue over here in the southeastern region,” Jenkins said.
According to The Telegraph, in Macon alone, 41 people were killed in 2018.
Jermaine Lee, an author and motivational speaker, who served time himself, is in the film and provides the perspective of a convict and a citizen on the other end of society. According to Jenkins, Lee is also now an ordained minister.
“There are different youth organizations that are represented in the film. They have been making positive changes in the community for ten years or more,” Jenkins said. “Everybody can relate to the entire film.”
If someone cannot attend the showing, Pop of Genius will bring the film to groups of ten or more.
When: 6 p.m. Feb. 23
Where: Central Church of Christ, 751 Key St.
Cost: Free
For more information and tickets visit the Facebook event page.
