The Interrupters

The Interrupters is a new documentary following "violence interrupters" in Chicago. While the message is that of change and hope, I think, generally speaking, for a typical middle-class audience the film will surprise many at just how out of hand the violence in our high schools and cities has gotten.

The film looks at violence as an epidemic. It is what many people in inner city communities assume they will die from, rather than old age or illness. It is a plague. Violent and angry behavior has simply become a culture in certain neighborhoods; it is learned behavior. This epidemic only spreads--one shooting leads to a retaliation shooting, leads to a counter-retaliation shooting. It is constant; it has become a way of life. The root of this is terrible plague is so basic: people have never been taught better. The thought process might go from I'm angry to I need to take action and that action must be severe. People who haven't been taught proper anger management or communication skills, but have observed angry and violent behavior regularly will repeat this pattern. This entire epidemic is a downward spiral, continuing to keep our communities in poverty and disarray. 

The aim of the violence interrupters is not to end gang activity, but merely to save lives. They are people from the communities that are ready to make a difference. 

The documentary follows 3 different violence interrupters and their encounters and interactions. "The film’s main subjects work for an innovative organization, CeaseFire. It was founded by an epidemiologist, Gary Slutkin, who believes that the spread of violence mimics the spread of infectious diseases, and so the treatment should be similar: go after the most infected, and stop the infection at its source. One of the cornerstones of the organization is the “Violence Interrupters” program, created by Tio Hardiman, who heads the program. The Interrupters — who have credibility on the streets because of their own personal histories — intervene in conflicts before they explode into violence" (from the website). 




I'm really fascinated by this approach, and can get behind this idea. It's holistic, and so many other problems stem from violence and no sense of safety. For example, if people weren't living in fear and acting out in anger and revenge, those energies could be focused on other things, and people would feel more comfortable looking toward their futures, and therefore making preparations for that, in turn bettering our communities.

I could go on. It was great. It's at E Street Cinema now, so go see it! 




--Megan