The Pitt Jazz program of the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Music in collaboration with City of Asylum presents a two day event that includes a live screening of the film “The Honest Struggle” by filmmaker Justin Mashouf and a panel discussion followed by a musical performance. The film tells the story of Sadiq Davis, a Muslim convert who re-enters society in the Southside of Chicago after 25 years of incarceration to face the same streets that ruined his life. The film is a raw portrait of a man struggling to survive an honest life and redefine himself in a world in which he feels no belonging. You can view the trailer of the film at https://honeststruggle.co. This event will focus on the topic of stereotypes that follows people after being incarcerated and trying to make a decent and honest life for themselves in society. The project is also a testament to music as a saving grace for those facing extreme challenges.  

Pitt’s Director of Jazz Studies, Nicole Mitchell Gantt has gathered a panel to discuss the film and its themes on the following day of the film screening. Along with Sadiq Davis and filmmaker Justin Mashouf, Gantt has invited Richard Garland, Director of the Reimagine Re-entry program at the University Pittsburgh and James Badue El, founder of the People’s Right to Obtain Our Freedom (PROOF). Gantt hopes to inspire the public on the need to transform the culture that places limitations of rights and respect given to ex-convicts who re-enter society, with the bigger goal of discussing the abolition movement and a complete transformation of American punitive culture.

The film “The Honest Struggle” will be streamed live on February 4^th at 7:00pm. On February 5^th at 7:00pm will be the panel discussion on the role of institutional racism in the prison industrial complex and the challenges of re-entry after incarceration. The panel is followed by a performance of orginal music by vocalist/pianist Sadiq Davis and vocalist Aquilla Sadalla. Events on both days are free and require registration.