What resonated with me the most is how well Colman Domingo played Divine G. Before I saw the movie, I thought that he would play Divine G as a gangster who would deal with life in prison and get in trouble with the guards. Instead, I got a portrayal of a man who wants to make his life better through acting and writing. Domingo played Divine G very well, where I empathized with his character when he had his outburst during dress rehearsals. I can see why he was nominated for best actor at the Golden Globes and the Oscars.
I thought the RTA program was a great way to get inmates to express themselves in healthy ways. When I see prisoners portrayed in the media, I often see them without a healthy outlet to let out the emotions. After looking up their website, it’s clear the program does its best to provide inmates a way to contribute to the arts and get them a fresh start. Before the movie, there were Zoom interviews on people who participated in the program. They had the opportunity to discuss how much the program changed their lives for the better.
When I see incarcerated people in the news, I often see them as troublemakers who violate laws. I also see them as people who are beyond rehabilitation. After seeing “Sing Sing,” I know that there is a shade of grey with these people. They all come from unique circumstances; some can still find ways to contribute to society and adapt healthy ways to let out their emotions through acting and writing. In the future, I won’t have to be extra cautious when I want to talk to an inmate, especially those who are in the RTA program.
After looking over the materials related to “Sing Sing” and watching the movie, I think it’s best to look at incarcerated individuals as humans before we jump to conclusions. While they broke the law, it’s best to look at their backgrounds and see how they got to this point. Also, it’s best to highlight the RTA program and shine light on the inmates who are participating in the program. It’s best to let the public know that not all inmates are forever doomed, they can change and become better people if given the chance.