Precious is a new American drama film based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire. Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones, a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born who seeks a better life for herself and her two children. She is pregnant with her second child after being raped by her father, Precious lives with her mother, Mary, in a squalid apartment where she endures the latter's near-constant verbal, physical and sexual abuse. The movie features pop diva Mariah Carey as her social worker, Ms. Weiss who learns about incest in the household when Precious unintentionally implies it to her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of "alternative," but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.
The new film has provoked many comments among social workers, for example "Social Workers Speak!" has received more than 100 comments about ”Precious”. The comments from social workers reflect how the film is playing in larger public. Some said the movie was exploitative while other social workers said the film put a needed spotlight on some ugly social ills, including domestic violence, illiteracy, and HIV/AIDS.
The film may encourage a discussion on issues like education as the pathway from poverty and despair, value of community networks and service coordination, impact of untreated mental illness on families, risk-taking and courage when reporting abuse, increased and sustained funding for prevention programs and reducing isolation among vulnerable children and teens.
Social Workers speak