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"Silent Choices" is about abortion and its impact on the lives of African American women. The film is a "hybrid" documentary: part historical piece, part social and religious analysis and part first-person narrative. From African Americans' cautious involvement with Margaret Sanger during the early birth control movement to black nationalists and civil rights activists who staunchly opposed abortion (or stayed silent on the issue), "Silent Choices" examines the juxtaposition of racial and reproductive politics. Three black women also share their stories of the abortions they had, including a woman's wrenching tale of the illegal procedure she endured. African Americans who oppose abortion were also interviewed, and the film wraps up with a montage of responses to a comment made by one of the pro-lifers, that abortion is a white woman's issue.
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THREE STARS - "A solid investigation into the social, economic, and political aspects of reproductive rights for African-American women." Justin Wadland Video Librarian
"There is nothing else out there about abortion that focuses on the diverse and real experiences of African American women. Everyone who cares about racial and reproductive justice must see Silent Choices." Marlene Gerber Fried Director, Civil Liberties and Public Policy Program Hampshire College
"Silent Choices explores not only black women's personal and political struggles around reproductive freedom, but also the complexities of abortion too often ignored by the mainstream media. Silent Choices is essential viewing for students, scholars, and activists interested in reproductive justice for all women." Dorothy Roberts Author, "Killing the Black Body" Professor, Northwestern University School of Law
"Silent Choices is an essential addition to the film collection of anyone interested in the abortion debate. It moves adeptly beyond the easy binary of 'pro-choice or pro-life' to demonstrate that abortion is about people's lives and beliefs." Jeannie Ludlow, Ph.D. Eastern Illinois University
Faith Pennick Faith Pennick directed, produced and edited the documentary Silent Choices, her first feature-length film. Silent Choices, about the impact of abortion on the lives of African Americans, won the Best Documentary Award at the 2007 Roxbury Film Festival. Pennick wrote, directed, produced and edited the award-winning narrative short, Running on Eggshells, which aired on U.S. television in the fall of 2007. She also directed the documentary short …and justice for whom?, and produced the narrative short film Harlem Sistas Double Dutch. Harlem Sistas aired on the WNET/New York film series Reel New York in 2005. Pennick’s latest film is Weightless, a documentary short about plus-sized female scuba divers.
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