Robin Morgan | NO! The Rape Documentary Testimonial
October 8, 2008
“Did I ever tell you how utterly superb I found NO! The Rape Documentary? My god, it’s not only a doco, it’s a work of art. Truly devastating. Yet hopeful. Even beautiful. And deadly. Thank you for having the guts and vision to have seen it through. It really is one helluva remarkable work.”
Robin Morgan, is an award-winning poet, novelist, political theorist, feminist activist, journalist, editor, and best-selling author. A former editor-in chief of Ms. magazine, she is founder of The Sisterhood is Global Institute and, most recently, a co-founder and Board Member of the Women’s Media Center.
Rev. Reanae McNeal | NO! The Rape Documentary Testimonial
September 16, 2008
NO! is one of the most powerful documentaries of our time. Finally an uncompromising film that speaks the truths of African-American women’s lives. Aishah is a pioneer and visionary and I was proud to be a part of this documentary that is affecting and will continue to affect women around the world. The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual significance on the consciousness of African-American women and anyone who dares to look at this film is undeniable. I am delighted that Aishah birhted this documentary out of her womb spirit despite the labor pains it took to give birth to it. I applaud you for your perserverence and hard work to produce a torch for the next generation of girls and women. Aishah as a revolutionary I salute you and as my sister I bless you. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this groundbreaking work and giving me a platform to share my story with others. If you are interested in human rights and the advancement of humanity you must see this film!
Rev. Reanae McNeal, International Performing Artist, Motivational Speaker, & Trainer
Imani Revelations
Maristela Duarte Smith | Healing Black Communities | Sexual Violence Prevention
September 16, 2008
NO! is a must see! It addresses the issue of intra-racial rape with depth and elegance. The discussion is enriched with the testimonial of several intellectuals and activists within the Black movement, who courageously, expose us to the terrifying reality of trauma and the possibility of transforming suffering into a tool against oppression.
NO! challenges the viewer to reflect about a reality that, although obscure for some, continues to affect several women in our communities.
Besides, NO! is a healing tool that helps all of us in the Americas and beyond become whole by integrating feelings of guilt or shame that may have been buried for a while. It is a jewel that must be watched, discussed and appreciated by all.
Maristela Duarte Smith, MSW, Portuguese Translator of NO!
Lori Robinson | Rape Survivor Testimonies | I Will Survive
September 16, 2008
I am so grateful that a Black woman made it a priority to tell the truth, loud and clear, about the sexual violence we experience. Aishah Shahidah Simmons should be recognized as a hero by all Black people, because her film was a labor of love that can be the catalyst we need to start healing our entire community–women and men, girls and boys. No more shame or fear! Thank you, Aishah!
Lori Robinson
Author, “I Will Survive: The African-American Guide To Healing from Sexual Assault”
Dr. Denese Shervington | Ending Violence Against Black Women | Healing Black Communities
June 12, 2008
NO! The Rape Documentary unveils the reality of rape, other forms of sexual violence, and healing in Black communities. Through the testimonies of the featured women survivors, Violence prevention advocates, theologians, sociologists, historians, anthropologists, and other leading scholars and human rights activists NO! is a rape prevention tool.
“NO! is a MUST SEE for any of us who are concerned about raising happy, healthy Black families and ultimately fucntional Black communities.” — Dr. Denese Shervington
Denese Shervington, M.D., MPH, a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry of Columbia University Medial Center, who divides her time between Columbia’s HIV Center in New York and The Institute for Women and Ethnic Studies, the New Orleans based-non profit organization, which she co-founded in 1990, where she is presently developing a post-Katrina mental health recovery division. Dr. Shervington had the opportunity to view NO! and participate in the dialogue following the screening, at a New Orleans community-based screening, sponsored by the Ashe Cultural Arts Center, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Order your organizational or institutional copy of NO! and Breaking Silences today. Click here for more information.
If your insitution or organization is interested in bringing Aishah Shahidah Simmons to present NO! and facilitate dialogue or a workshop around the issues addressed in NO! please click here for more information.
Together we can raise awareness and works towards ending rape, sexual assault and other forms of violence against women and children.
College Administrator says “YES!” to NO! The Rape Documentary
June 12, 2008
College campus rape survivors share their stories in NO! The Rape Documentary and Breaking Silences: The Supplemental Video to NO!. Both of these works, which compliment each other, feature riveting testimonies of women who experienced rape, other forms of sexual violence, and/or battering in college and university settings both in the United States and on a Study Abroad program. Their testimonies are supported by men and women activists, scholars, theologians, and cultural workers who work towards ending all forms of violence against women.
“This is such a taboo issue to talk about it. Not only for the African-American community, but for White communities, Asian Communities…all communities.” — Tonya Schmidt
Following a screening and discussion, facilitated by Aishah Shahidah Simmons and Monica Dillon, with college administrators and students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Tonya Schmidt from the Office of Dean of Students, said “‘NO!’ was entirely empowering” and she encouraged all college students and any administrators or staff that work with college students to view NO! The Rape Documentary.
Click here to hear Tonya Schmidt’s testimonial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyk20FpjHDI
Order your institutional copy of NO! and Breaking Silences today. Click here for more information.
If you’re intersted in bringing producer, writer, and director Aishah Shahidah Simmons to present NO! or Breaking Silences and facilitate dialogue or a workshop with the students at your campus or university, please click here.
Together we can raise awareness and works towards ending rape, sexual assault and other forms of violence against women and children.
Passion Life Magazine | NO! The Rape Documentary
June 12, 2008
Aishah Shahidah Simmons, Independent Documentary Filmmaker interviewed by Sonya Shields
“Aishah Shahidah Simmons and I met over ten years ago in Washington, DC when she was dating an old friend. We spent a Saturday night with friends dancing at the Hung Jury and talking about our future goals. I remember thinking that she was intensely passionate and I followed her career. I had not seen Aishah since that fun night until I ran into her this past fall when she attended the event to celebrate Katherine Acey’s 20th Anniversary with the Astraea Foundation. I knew that I wanted to talk with Aishah about her work and journey to becoming an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker, television and radio producer, published writer, international lecturer, and activist living in Philadelphia…
What is your passion?
My passion is centralizing the margins of society. Making the invisible, visible. Documenting the lives of women of color globally. I am an activist. The camera lens is my medium to make social change irresistible.
What motivates you to do your work? What do you hope to accomplish by doing this work?
Injustice in the world motivates me. Injustice fuels my passion to make change. Anytime when I feel that I can’t do it, there is an issue that I feel needs to be addressed. An issue very dear to my heart is violence against WOMEN.
I am survivor of violence. It is personal. I know more women here in the United States and abroad who have been impacted by violence than those who have not. Whether it was being the victim of violence or witnessing domestic violence and other forms of violence. It has impacted so many women…
Click here to read the interview in its entirety. http://www.passionlife.net/artmay08.html
Nancy Schwartzman | NO! The Rape Documentary Testimonial
June 12, 2008
“‘NO!’ continues to inspire me along my filmmaking journey. The courageous women and men who come forward and share their stories are treated with respect in the film, thus enabling their experiences to resonate powerfully and universally. Aishah has paved the way for filmmakers who want to make a change and confront their communities in a positive way.“
Nancy Schwartzman, Independent Filmmaker, 5th Floor Walk Up Films www.nancyschwartzman.com
Ending Sexual Violence on College and University Campuses | NO! The Rape Documentary
June 10, 2008
NO! examines rape and other forms of sexual assault through testimonies, cultural work, activism and scholarship of African-Americans. It is an educational and organizing documentary that is also a very valuable training tool on college and university campuses.
“I thought NO! was a really phenomenal film.” — Laura Klunder
Laura Klunder is Residence Life Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She works with 1100 first year students and a core group of 16 third year students/juniors. In her video testimonial, she talks about how NO! will speak to the students with whom she works. She also talks about the importance of students, on a predominantly White university campus, having the opportunity to hear the rape and sexual assault survivor stores of women of Color because it’s both a learning and training tool on how to centralize the margins especially for the anti-sexual violence activists on campus.
Click here to hear Laura Klunder’s testimonial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2poF_Ak_lU
Order your institutional copy of NO! and Breaking Silences today. Click here for more information.
If you’re intersted in bringing producer, writer, and director Aishah Shahidah Simmons to present NO! and facilitate dialogue or a workshop with the students at your campus or university, please click here.
Together we can raise awareness and works towards ending rape, sexual assault and other forms of violence against women and children.
Wear Red on April 30, 2008 to End Sexual Assault Against Women of Color
April 28, 2008
Women of Color Keeping A Social Movement Alive
On Wednesday, April 30, 2008, women of color across the United States will wear red to:
- commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month;
- to represent the various forms of violence that women of color experience on a daily basis; and
- to show how all forms of violence against women of color are interconnected.
Following is another moving video created and produced by my Sistren, at Document the Silence, who organized the first Be Bold. Be Brave. Wear Red. Campaign in October 2007, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Their life sustaining and affirming work is kindred Sister to NO! The Rape Documentary.
After April 30, 2008, the organizers of this national campaign want to flood the web with images of red. Please email your pictures and links to your videos to beboldbered@gmail.com.
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