Sin by Silence Blog

A Voice for a Mother

Sep 12th, 2009 In: Director's Notes Screenings Sin by Silence Tour By: admin Comments 0

Edgar has lived a tough life.  He grew up in a very abusive home.  Yet, today at our screening today with Youth and Family Enrichment Services and Family Enrichment Services we were able to help him heal.

“I grew up an orphan due to my father’s decision to kill my mother and then take his own life.  My mother had a very turbulent life, but she always kept faith in hopes of changes for the better.  At age 15 my mother came into contact with my father who was 20 years older, he eventually raped my mother and she ended up having us 10 children with him and being one of his many women.  When I was still a young child we migrated to the U.S., and even though I never saw my father being violent towards my mother, I now know that the relationship was extremely dysfunctional.

My oldest brother told me that he once had an altercation with my father due to my father brutalizing my mother in his presence.  Of course, this was after many years of my older brother witnessing my father do this and my older brother being a child and helpless in the matter.  Approximately 1 year before my father committed the homicide/suicide he threatened the lives of my siblings in a letter to my mother after a few months of separation from my mother.  So for 30 years my mother endured abuse from this man, and on Friday November 1st 1985 in the dawn hours he committed the act that would haunt me and my siblings until this day.

I know that Sin by Silence is my mother’s voice now, and I thank you profusely.  I have two daughters and aside from my strong and beautiful wife, you are another example of a woman who fought back and is here today to speak for the countless women who have historically experienced abuse from their partners.  At home I have an “arsenal” of documentaries and films that expose the struggles of many disenfranchised peoples and Sin By Silence is my latest addition.”