A one-hour documentary that examines the lingering trauma handed down from the American slavery system. Men and women describe how they broke the emotional chains passed down from their slave ancestors. Others demonstrate the moral courage needed to face their own racial attitudes. In this film, all viewers face the roots of American racism and the processes that usher lasting reconciliation.
Now more than ever, this documentary can help spark healing conversations and racial reconciliation. Life Focus encourages you to watch Unchained and share it with others. Consider organizing a viewing and discussion--even a socially distant one--with your family, friends, congregation or community organization. To access both the full documentary and companion discussion guide for non-commercial use, please complete the form here.
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“Real Healing and Freedom cannot happen unless we talk about it.”
In this documentary we meet:
Rev. Keith Marshall Williams
The great-grandson of a sharecropper, his mother, his grandmother, his children and grandchildren. Through five generations, we trace the pain carried down through unresolved trauma.
Phyllis Smith
Cousin of Emmett Till, whose murder in 1955 catalyzed the Civil Rights movement. Smith discusses the trauma that has been trapped in her heart and the healing that comes through her Christian faith.
Rev. Greg Thompson
A pastor and scholar who examines his family background of white supremacy and talks about the steps he and his congregation have taken to repent from racist thinking.
Dr. Alvin Poussaint:
Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School who describes “PostTraumatic Slave Syndrome,” the vulnerability African Americans carry from generation to generation. He describes how unresolved trauma stemming back to slavery manifests personally and socially today.
Rev. Charlie Dates
The Senior Pastor of Chicago’s Progressive Baptist Church describes the historical and present role of the black church in providing a safe haven for African Americans, especially during the Great Migration. But, today, he says the black church will take the lead in demonstrating the power of Christianity to heal and to offer reconciliation and forgiveness to the problems we face today.
Dr. Harriet Hill
Dr. Hill, the architect of a biblical trauma healing program describes how community leaders address generational trauma stemming from slavery. We attend one of her teaching sessions and learn how her biblical trauma healing seminar help pastors, counselors, and social workers recognize their own prejudices so that they can go out and begin the process of listening to others and recognize their own prejudices so that they can go out and begin the process of listening to others and healing in their communities.
What viewers are saying:
“We just learned all our lives to keep these thoughts to ourselves. And now, someone is giving us voice.”
“It’s masterfully put together.”
“For the first time, someone addressing an issue that goes deep into our souls.”
“Thank you for this program that enlightens our viewing audience!”
“(It’s a) therapeutic experience in and of itself… ”
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