Faces of Redemption
by Luli Garcia, MVA 2017
The film: Faces of Redemption, explores the lives of Alicia Cass and Tameika Click-Dillon as women who come from the gang-infested streets of South Central, L.A. Both women talk about their past lives as Crip gang affiliates and how they navigated the patriarchal aspects of gang life. While these women have very distinct journeys, a key component that sets the foundation for their success is their faith. Throughout the film, both women hold their faith responsible for their ability to deal with the incredible struggles they faced while trying to establish stability for themselves and their children. Moreover, as the film unfolds, viewers will bear witness to the various milestones that Cass and Click-Dillon experience, which have motivated both women to speak out against gang violence, women’s rights, and become active in their congregations as preachers. As women who come from the same roots, these powerful stories tell a tale about redemption from a life of chaos, while serving their communities in various ways. While Cass and Click-Dillon reflect on their present lives, they never forget where they came from and are determined to help other young women facing the same crossroads in their lives.
Running time: 30 minutes