The Rape of Recy Taylor

Recy Taylor, a 24-year-old black mother and sharecropper, was gang-raped by six white boys in 1944 Alabama. A common occurrence in the Jim Crow South, few women spoke up in fear for their lives. Not Recy Taylor, who instead bravely identified her rapists. The NAACP sent its rape investigator Rosa Parks to Alabama, who rallied support and triggered an unprecedented outcry for justice. 

THE RAPE OF RECY TAYLOR exposes the legacy of physical abuse inflicted upon black women and reveals Rosa Parks’ intimate role in Recy Taylor’s story. An attempted rape against Parks was but one inspiration for her ongoing fight for justice for countless women like Taylor. Parks’ 1955 bus boycott was the result of decades of activist work, not the beginning. More and more women are now speaking up after their assault. 

THE RAPE OF RECY TAYLOR shines a light on the black women who spoke up when danger was greatest; it was their noble efforts to reclaim control of their bodies that paved the way for today’s generation of activists. The 2017 Women's March and the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement are directly linked to their courage.



You can enter for your chance to win a $50 Fandango card and the screener of The Rape of Recy Taylor by clicking HERE.

With Women's History Month In March and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, now is a powerful time to host a screening of The Rape of Recy Taylor and join our social impact campaign.   Screenings can be for a small woman’s group of 12 or a large school or church group.  Odyssey Impact provides all the materials and guidance you need to host your screening and lead a discussion after.
You can find more information about resources to help you do this by clicking HERE.

My Thoughts:
*I had the opportunity to view the screener of The Rape Of Recy Taylor provided by the producer.  All opinions stated here are my own.

The Rape of Recy Taylor is a tastefully done but very bold documentary.  The documentary incorporates interviews from Taylor's family members, photos and home video footage of her family, as well as historical video and pictures.  Also included in the documentary is commentary from a few people who have studied and analyzed the case of Recy Taylor and provide extremely useful insight.

The documentary gives historical context to this tragic incident in the life of Taylor and shines a glaring light on a piece of history many would like to forget.  This documentary won't let you forget.  And we shouldn't ever forget.  As far as I'm concerned it should be required viewing in every history class in our schools and universities.

Blessings,
Jennifer