POV Season 17 Episode 8 Every Mother's Son

Every Mother's Son, the eighth episode of the seventeenth season of POV, is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking documentary that follows the stories of three mothers who have lost their sons to police brutality. Directed by Tami Gold and Kelly Anderson, the film explores the aftermath of the deaths of Amadou Diallo, Anthony Baez, and Gary (Gidone) Busch, three unarmed black and Latino men who were killed by police officers in New York City in the 1990s.

Through interviews with the mothers, their families, and activists, the film sheds light on the systemic racism and police violence that have plagued communities of color for generations. The mothers tell their stories of grief, anger, and activism, sharing their struggles to find justice and hold the police accountable for their actions.

The first story featured in the film is that of Kadiatou Diallo, the mother of Amadou Diallo, a young Guinean immigrant who was shot 41 times by NYPD officers in 1999. Kadiatou recounts the night of her son's death, the injustice of the trial, and her tireless efforts to fight for police reform and to prevent other families from suffering as hers has.

The second story follows the family of Anthony Baez, a Puerto Rican man who was killed by a police officer's chokehold in 1994. Baez's mother, Iris, her daughter, and her husband describe their struggle to hold the police accountable and to cope with the loss of their son and brother.

The final story of the film is that of Doris Busch Boskey, the mother of Gary (Gidone) Busch, a Hasidic Jewish man with a history of mental illness who was killed by police officers in 1999. Doris speaks about her son's life, his struggles, and his inherent vulnerability as a person with mental illness. She advocates for better training for police in dealing with people who have mental health issues and for the recognition of the human dignity of all people.

Throughout the film, we see these mothers and their families attending rallies, marches, and press conferences demanding justice and accountability for police violence. They share their experiences of working with activists, lawyers, and politicians, and their ongoing struggle to create change.

The film also features interviews with police officers and experts who provide insight into the culture of policing and the ways in which racism and implicit bias can influence police behavior. The film challenges viewers to confront their own biases and assumptions about race and law enforcement and to become more actively engaged in the fight for racial justice.

Every Mother's Son is a powerful and emotional film that humanizes the victims of police violence and the families who are left behind. It is a call to action for viewers to join the movement for police reform and to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all people, regardless of their race or ethnicity.