We’ve been receiving a good bit of meaningful feedback after three public screenings — and three private screenings — of the Common Good Atlanta documentary that we premiered in February 2022.
We hoped that the film would be a conversation starter, perhaps even a game changer in the way that people with no experience of mass incarceration see how it plays out in real life. And how a program like Common Good Atlanta can help people regain their footing in the community. How one person can make a difference in the community as Sarah Higinbotham did when she started a program that invited fellow academics to join her in prison education centers.
The talkbacks with alumni from the program have energized the audiences. The conversations with alumni have chipped away at the stereotypes of incarcerated people that the mass media and politicians have pumped out over the years.
The feedback below comes mostly from young college students who attended screenings at Emory’s Oxford College and the University of Georgia.
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It is inspiring to hear that there are people who care about reforming the system (and that those people are not far away). The most inspiring thing I heard tonight came from Janine. She said: “When you leave prison you don’t know what you want to do, but you do know who you need to be.” I think she makes a point that every college student needs to hear: I especially.
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The topic of higher education in prison has been a controversial topic in politics for many years now. This documentary and the insight from the panel help to form more of a firm view on how I view the idea. I think higher education can only have positive outcomes, and I think it is truly transformative, life-changing, and life-saving for incarcerated individuals.
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Common Good Atlanta was a beautiful reminder of the humanity reflected in everyone, even in those who are preconceived to lack it. I loved the revelations it brought about those who were incarcerated and its emphasis on their individuality: their beliefs, goals, desires, character, and so much more.
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Not only is this program providing them with the chance to cultivate their minds, but to also cultivate their identities – both of which I personally find very important.
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The documentary was very light-hearted, which I thought was a very interesting take on the topic of incarceration and education. Obviously, everyone was very excited and happy to share their experiences and how Common Good Atlanta positively impacted them.
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As I watched the documentary, I felt drawn to the energy that Dr. Higinbotham and the rest of the Common Good Atlanta professors brought their students. The enthusiasm and positivity that they radiated enticed me and made me leave feeling lighter and happier.
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My favorite parts of the documentary were the ones where the students were expressing themselves; whether it was through acting out different scenes in their plays, making books, or creating music, it connected the audience to the film.
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The book Just Mercy made me want to go out and change the world. That was how I felt tonight while watching the documentary on Common Good Atlanta.