Steve Kurkjian played by Gene Amoroso has a line in the movie which jolted my leg to a halt and shot my fist in the air with a silent “Amen!”, “It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one…”
Chris and I saw the movie, Spotlight on Friday night. It was an edge of the seat, leg shaker for sure. I found the movie’s powerful message to resonate memories of my childhood with some triggers from my past. Both issues in the movie are tough conversations to swallow at times for fervent believers of organized religion and especially non-survivors of child abuse. I experienced both subject matters as a child, myself and am a survivor of intolerance and child sexual abuse. It is a natural instinct for humans to feel apart of a larger purpose or movement, feeling the gap of loneliness. At times, it is easy to give up our own power and judgement, questioning our self’s inner instincts and believe in other non-perfect fellow humans. In societies, populations want to believe in groups and organizations they are a part of. Often times, it is easy to put faith and higher standards on designated leaders, putting them on a pedestal and believing they could do no wrong.
So when an empire is exposed of flaws and wrong doings, it is very hard for it’s followers to stomach, let alone even try to digest. Acceptance of a wrong doing within a house of wholehearted believers brings on a deep seeded guilt to those associated or even familiar with the manipulator and their survivors. A guilt so strong can fester from within and manifest a denial so magnificent that it becomes their new savior to continue on in life. The magnitude of a corruption can spread a thick layer of denial throughout its devotees so immense that cover-ups seem to be the only solution nurtured by the denial.
Spotlight also sheds a light on why survivors do not disclose. The guilt a survivor carries has so many layers of burdens for their families, their fellow worshipers, their peers and most often lastly, themselves that it becomes habitual to carry their traumas and bury them deep within.
Do I recommend this movie? Absolutely, to all those, who choose to be better humans and take responsibility for the safety of our children and the growth of humankind. For those, who choose to turn their backs on uncomfortability, this movie is not for you.
