journey to justice Video
Audio/Video — Long-Form Video entry — Polly Bond awards 2025

Step into the heart of history with 30 pilgrims from Delaware and neighboring regions as they embark on a life-changing civil rights pilgrimage through Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. Filmed in September 2024, this video captures more than just the moments of their transformative journey — it weaves a powerful narrative of resilience, injustice, and hope. From the haunting legacy of the transatlantic slave trade to the triumphs and tribulations of the Civil Rights Movement, this journey lays bare the deep wounds and enduring strength of the fight for racial justice. Witness the solemn reflection at landmarks like the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, the stirring emotions, and the commitment to action inspired by the stories of courage and sacrifice. This video is a call to remember, reconcile, and renew our collective dedication to justice and equality. Watch now and be part of the ongoing story of hope and transformation.

Goals:

The video, Journey to Justice, was created with the following goals in mind:

  1. To Educate: Illuminate the profound historical significance of Montgomery and Selma in the fight for civil rights, shedding light on the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of those who came before us. By connecting the dots between past and present, the video seeks to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legacy of racial injustice and its lasting impact on society.

  2. To Inspire Reflection: Encourage viewers to reflect on their own understanding of racial justice, systemic oppression, and reconciliation. Through personal stories, historical context, and moments of shared humanity, the video aims to prompt audiences to engage more deeply with these complex issues.

  3. To Promote Healing and Unity: Highlight the power of shared journeys and collective experiences in building connections across communities. The video underscores the importance of fostering dialogue and relationships rooted in mutual respect and empathy.

  4. To Amplify Voices: Share the stories and experiences of those who lived through the Civil Rights Movement and the pilgrims who joined the journey, ensuring their voices are heard and their messages resonate with others.

  5. To Call to Action: Challenge viewers to carry the lessons of the pilgrimage into their own lives and communities by becoming advocates for justice, allies in the fight against systemic racism, and stewards of change within their spheres of influence.

  6. To Honor Legacy: Pay tribute to the individuals who bravely fought for equality and justice, recognizing their contributions to the ongoing pursuit of human dignity and civil rights.

By weaving together history, reflection, and a vision for the future, Journey to Justice serves as both a memorial to the past and a catalyst for action in the present.

Audience:

The audience for Journey to Justice is broad, encompassing anyone with a desire to understand and engage with the Civil Rights Movement. The video serves as a resource for those seeking to spark dialogue about racial justice, reconciliation, and systemic change. Pilgrims share the video with their local communities, using it as a tool to educate parishioners, inspire action, and deepen conversations around equity.  Additionally, the video is a powerful resource for trainings, workshops, and interfaith gatherings, where it helps to promote empathy, encourage reflection, and equip participants to become advocates for change.

Summary:

Journey to Justice is a deeply moving reflection on the Ecumenical Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama. The video begins with the pilgrims walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a symbol of courage and sacrifice in the fight for civil rights, and ends with the powerful image of the group completing their walk, signifying the ongoing journey toward justice and reconciliation.

Through a mix of historic imagery, emotional narration, and reflections from the pilgrims, the video explores the brutal legacy of slavery, the horrors of lynching, and the enduring struggles for racial equality in America. It takes viewers from the transatlantic slave trade to the Civil Rights Movement and into the present-day fight for justice, making clear that the wounds of racism and oppression still demand our attention and action.

The narrative calls viewers to bear witness to the stories of those who suffered and resisted, to learn from the courage of civil rights heroes, and to take up the work of creating a more inclusive and equitable future. Journey to Justice is not just a reflection on history but a call to action, urging us to listen, learn, and stand together in the ongoing fight for racial justice.

Metrics:

The video Journey to Justice has been widely used as a resource and educational tool by various groups, including church communities, civic organizations, and Delaware congressional leaders. Its impact extends far beyond its online presence, as it has been featured in several significant gatherings:

Debut Screenings:

    • Premiered at the Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Delaware on November 22, 2024.
    • Shown at a gathering of the New Castle Presbytery.

Audience Reach:

    • Currently, the video has 172 views on YouTube.
    • It is estimated that the video has been viewed by approximately 750 people across various in-person and group settings.

Educational Usage:

    • Utilized by church communities and civic organizations as a discussion starter and learning resource on racial justice and civil rights.
    • Shared with Delaware congressional leaders as a tool to highlight the importance of confronting our shared history and inspiring future action.
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