Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Giveaway: Fighting the good fight, even when you're little: Won't Back Down movie preview — $40 Fandango GC {9.30; US} CLOSED



boy in superhero cape
We could all use a five-year-old superhero.
I've been having soul-searching conversations with my five-year-old, Mikko, lately. He'll talk about anything (and, boy, does he love to talk), but he's become interested lately in even bigger issues than whether he can have chocolate milk or why stop signs are red.

He's been noticing people who need help, such as the people selling Real Change (the homeless newspaper) outside our grocery store. I always give him a dollar to buy it, and he loves the privilege of running up and making the exchange. Due to some recent budget constraints in our family, we've gotten to talk a bit more with him about privilege, and how we're still blessed to have a roof to live under and food to eat, even if it's not always the kind and amount we want. He's been learning — through hearing and not experiencing, thankfully — that not all children have parents, that some people are sick and everybody dies, that some relationships and marriages break up, that bad people can hurt others, that natural and human-made disasters can strike.

In short, he's become aware, at this young age, about suffering. And he wants to know what he can do about it.

As I said, I'm happy that his forays out of extreme innocence have been through story rather than through living it. And while I don't want to overdramatize any concerns these new pieces of information have brought him, I also don't want to discourage his childlike inclination to help.

I was so pleased to see the trailer for this new Fox Pictures movie, Won't Back Down. Coming just after I'd watched a documentary about the U.S. public school system and how the children in our poorest neighborhoods are being, quite literally, failed, I was primed to feel energized and fighting-ready at the thought of organizing to take action.

Here's the trailer so you can see for yourself:


Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal play two determined mothers who will stop at nothing to transform their children's failing inner city school. Despite opposition from an entrenched bureaucracy, they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children.

I'm passionate about my children's education, which is why we've chosen a homeschooling path. I'm also realistic that most people will not or cannot make that same choice, and I desperately want our public schools to be a safe, quality place for our nation's kids — no matter their income level — to get a solid education and be treated with respect.

I hope that Mikko continues to ask his questions — and to seek how he can engage in relieving some of the suffering he sees. I know he has a compassionate nature, and I'm sure we'll have many opportunities as he grows to stand beside him and help him fight for what he believes in.

This movie could be the catalyst for getting our family involved in helping our own local schools. I'd love to consider with my other local friends about where the needs are and how our whole families might pitch in.

SEE IT!

I'm really looking forward to seeing this film when it comes out Friday, September 28. The movie's cast is impressive. Davis and Gyllenhaal, along with costar Rosie Perez, are all Oscar Nominees, and costar Holly Hunter is an Oscar winner.

Get a group together, and you can buy group tickets through the Facebook page! Take your PTA, church, or homeschooling group and go be inspired together.

Be sure to like the Facebook page for more updates on the film, and share the link with friends. Let's be the change we want to see in the world!

WIN IT!

For a chance to win one of two $40 Fandango gift cards to help fund your movie night, answer the prompt question in the comments.

Answer one of these prompts for entry: How can you be an agent of change in your community? What gives you courage?

No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the 
following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post (click here for a pre-crafted Tweet)
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 9/5-9/30.

Be sure to visit the Won't Back Down brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts and find more chances to win!

47 comments:

Judy B. said...

I deeply identify with this movie. I know it will bring back many memories of the struggle to get my child the education she needed in a system where some students are not adequately served. I think what gave me courage to keep "fighting" was my sense of responsibility to get her to where she needed to be and to reach her enormous potential.

Judy B. said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/243419254102315009

wigget said...

if you see something you'd ilke changed, start with your county council

Meegs said...

Its things like this that have me looking at all the options for my daughter, and keep me worried about what will be.

You can be an agent of change in your community by speaking your mind and sticking to your guns, by going to the people in charge and letting them know your want change and you want to help get it.

bitt said...

would love to see this! my husband and I both got into the education field for reasons like this. plus I love Viola Davis.

How can you be an agent of change in your community? What gives you courage?
I try to be an example for how I think people should live. I make ethical choices. I used to be able to teach others and get out in the community more but for now I can just take small steps and hope the amount to something in the long run. People fighting for quality education for children (both teachers and parents and other educators) give me courage. So do those who have overcome other obstacles.

Kelly Massman said...

Start with the appropriate elected official... and I find courage if I don't have to stand alone.
thanks
kmassman gmail

Gina M (crave to save) said...

If something isn't being done right then speak up about it. Nothing will change if no one says anything.


gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

Gina M (crave to save) said...

TWEET-https://twitter.com/CrazyItalian0/status/245177417889619968

gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Volunteer, be informed, participate. Get to know my neighbors!

Unknown said...

Find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer

Unknown said...

Find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer

Tabathia B said...

I gain courage by making sure my kids grow up in a crime free neighborhood by being a part of the neighborhood watch

tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/247919260410736640
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Debra said...

We need to be informed and participate! If we want something changed, we have to take it to the right person, and keep going up the ladder, until we get that change. I get courage from my family and friends.

Debra said...

Tweet- https://twitter.com/saltysailors1/status/248118777999392768

Melinda said...

I can be kind to those around me, even when I'm not treated well

Melinda said...

tweeted

https://twitter.com/MelindaJoy926/status/248130906630541312

Karina said...

i find courage in standing up for what's right

karinaroselee at gmail dot com

Karina said...

https://twitter.com/karinaroselee/status/249262171366756352

karinaroselee at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Wanting to do what is right gives me courage.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/249427374968545280

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

gettingfitinphilly said...

I can volunteer more and inspire others to do the same! That will promote good for the world. Seeing others take action and stand up for what is right gives me courage to do the same.

ms-texas said...

tweeted here:

https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/249925640499904512

debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com

Maria Ivey said...

Change starts when one person realizes that one person can make a difference. It just takes getting involved and getting the word out any way you can.

Maria Ivey said...

Tweeted
https://twitter.com/lilydom76/status/250058831948812289

lilydom76 at msn dot com

erika said...

What give me courage is blogging, and the whole blogging community. We feed each other. We change each other. We inspire each other.

chambanachik@gmail.com

MCantu1019 said...

My children are the ones who give me the courage to do what needs to be done.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com

Angel Jacklyn said...

Volunteer. You can give all the money in the world, but sharing a few minutes of your time with someone who really needs it is worth so much more.

Courage is only a word. Being the change you want to see doesn't take any.

kytah00@yahoo.com

Angel Jacklyn said...

2nd entry tweet https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/250872502723686401

Betty C said...

I can help the community by acting instead of ignoring the negative things that are going on in my neighborhood. My children give me courage.

willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

My husband gives me courage! sweepmorey at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/252191095298093058

slehan said...

I sing with the Raging Grannies and we try to change hearts and minds through humorous songs.
Thanks for the contest.

slehan at juno dot com

slehan said...

blogged:
http://slehan.blogspot.com/2012/09/win-40-fandango-gc-from-blogher.html

slehan at juno dot com

Randi K. said...

I've taught my almost 3-yo twin boys to say a few phrases including "It's my body, you may not hurt me; I don't like that, please stop; you hurt my feelings when you ___ (yell, antagonize, ignore, mock) me." I hope that their example of doing this will be a good example to both the children they are talking to as well as the adults that overhear. They are encouraged to say these things to me and daddy as well.

Lindsay said...

We try to stay informed and involved in politics on a local, state, and national level. In our first year in our new house, my husband and I have been on the local TV news and quoted in the newspaper several times talking about an ongoing issue with our local school board!!

Betty C said...

Tweet - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/252480267015581696

willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

wizardewu said...

Keep informed, stay engaged and pursue the most important issue to my family.

I Thought I Knew Mama said...

Looking at the faces of my children gives me courage every day.

Julia Mangan said...

Seeing others fight for those less fortunate inspires me to courage.

Howell said...

I care about my family and community so I try to pursue issues that matter the most to both.
hlee99 at gmail dot com

Momma Jorje said...

How can I be an agent of change in my community? What gives me courage?

I am passionate about birth and my newest passion for my community is pushing local hospitals. They are all dropping VBAC services one by one, but I'm betting they all still use Cytotec, which is contraindicated and kills mothers and babies. I am still working up the courage and the how to, but I hope I do find a way to be an agent of change in this department. I know I have friends in the birth industry that will be willing to back me.

Janice said...

God gives me courage by volunteering and getting others involved with their ideas to help make our community better.
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

Janice said...

Tweeted
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/252515892611665920
tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

emichh4 said...

This movie looks good! I can be the change by settling an example and making a difference. I would like to volunteer more. My family gives me the courage to stand up for myself.

mwong241 (at) gmail (dot) com

emichh4 said...

tweet https://twitter.com/mw2314/status/252542612785987584

mwong241 (at) gmail (dot) com

jakiesmom said...

my son gives me courage, cause i want things better for him...i just started volunterring at his school and joined the pto
nannypanpan@gmail.com

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