Proverbs 16:17-18
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoils with the proud.…
Human pride comes in many forms. It is a powerful and complex emotion that can either serve as a source of strength or lead to self-destruction. It is the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that we feel when we have achieved something that we believe is significant or valuable. It can arise from our achievements, our affiliations with groups, our culture, or our country. Pride can be a positive force in our lives, but it can also be a source of negativity, especially when it becomes excessive and blinds us to our faults.
Pride can also be associated with group identity, such as national or cultural pride. This can be a positive force that brings people together, fosters a sense of community and shared values, and provides a sense of belonging. However, it can also lead to divisiveness and conflict when taken to extremes.
On the other hand, excessive pride, or hubris, can be a dangerous and destructive force. When we become too proud of ourselves, our accomplishments, or how others view us and what they say about us, it can blind us to our faults and shortcomings, leading us to make poor decisions and take unnecessary risks. Those decisions can alter the lives of so many. When pride comes in the form of senseless gun violence it can leave a community numb. How does it recover? A mother lost her son. A son lost his father. A town losses a potential leader. Unfortunately, this happens on both sides of the gun. I had the opportunity to attend the first screening of “Pride” The Short Film and was filled with so many emotions. Losing my nephew’s best friends to gun violence, this film captured my attention from the beginning and led me to want more. Mike Lewis and crew did an amazing job on the storyline and the soundtrack flows flawlessly with the intended message.
“Pride” The Short Film takes place in the summer of 2020. Protesting has increased due to the rise of systemic injustices in America. A young black woman searches for the answers and analyzes all that has happened with her friend. She goes through a cultural reflection on the challenges of seeking social justice for her pre-gentrified community. She goes through a self-discovery phase regarding her purpose in taking action to become an activist in society. “The pathway in becoming an activist starts from a life-changing experience,” said writer, director, and editor of Pride The Short Film Mike Lewis. “I want watchers to start making a change in their communities through having courageous conversations. Getting educated on nonviolence, and doing whatever it takes in changing policies. Take action in making a change in their community collectively”. “I’m so thankful for everyone that supported this film in any type of way. I have gotten so many great compliments on how good the quality, sound, acting, story, and music are. We started our #filmfestival run and already won 4 Awards”.
Join Mike Lewis Productions and producer Will Thomas, with a Virtual Private Screening Experience of the Short Film “Pride”. Cast starring Jazmine Bledsoe, Marc Griffin, Jay “4G” Gathers, Zilla, Luke G, Adam Wash, and Alexandria Russell. After the screening, a Cast/Crew Q&A will discuss the challenges and solutions for social injustices within our communities. This is an online private live-streaming event that is accessible through Eventbrite on March 9th, 2023, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm est.
