Rev. John Borders

Item Information

Title:
Rev. John Borders
Description:
Carolyn Sawyer reports on Reverend John Borders of the Morningstar Baptist Church, and his efforts to reach out to his community. Borders has conducted at least 15 funerals for teenagers who have died as a result of street violence. Interview with Borders, who talks about the problem of violence in the community. He expresses sadness at the number of young people caught up in the violence. Borders says that adults need to spend more time with young people; he adds that teenagers need to know that someone cares about them. Borders talks about his hopes for positive changes in the community. Sawyer's report includes footage of Borders at his church and footage of Borders at his children's school. Sawyer's report also includes footage from the funeral of Charles Hardison and footage of victims of street violence. Following the edited story is b-roll of the Blue Hill Avenue environs near the Morningstar Baptist Church. 1:00:01: Visual: Footage from the funeral of Charles Hardison (Milton teenager) at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Milton. Pall bearers bring the coffin out of the church. Mourners stand outside the church. Shots of African American and white teenagers standing outside of the church; of teenagers consoling each other with hugs. Shot of two white girls hugging an African American boy. Audio of Reverend John Borders (Morningstar Baptist Church) talks about the heartbreak caused by the violent deaths of teenagers. Borders says that he wants peoples' hearts to break when they hear about these tragedies. Footage of Borders and a young African American man praying in a church. Carolyn Sawyer reports that Borders prays for peace in a community afflicted by crime. Sawyer reports that Borders has conducted at least 15 funerals for teenagers who have died. V: Shot of Border's clasped hands as he prays. Footage of Borders being interviewed. Borders recalls some of the funerals of local teenagers. Shot of Borders walking to his car; of Blue Hill Avenue near the Morningstar Baptist Church. Sawyer reports that Borders grew up not far from the church; that Borders had a career in music before entering the ministry. V: Shots of residential homes in Mattapan. Footage of Borders being interviewed. Borders says that there has been a growth of evil in the neighborhood and a decline in values. Borders says that there is a lack of respect for human life. Footage of Borders at a local school. He speaks to a teacher. Borders speaks to a child standing with other children. Sawyer reports that Borders is 32 years old; that Borders has three children of his own. V: Footage of Borders saying that adults need to turn off the radio and the television; that adults need to spend time with young people. Borders says that parents needs to question where kids are getting money if the kids do not have jobs. Borders says that parents need to ban drug money from their homes. Shots of an African American man pulling a shopping cart along a street; of two African American men standing on a sidewalk. Shot of Borders speaking on the telephone. Sawyer reports that Borders preaches for people to return to the community. V: Footage of Borders being interviewed. Borders says that young people need people who care. Borders says that gang members care about other gang members; that some teenagers do not think that anyone else cares. Shot of Borders hand as he speaks on the telephone. Footage of Borders speaking on the phone. Sawyer reports that Borders puts his faith in change; that Borders wants the church to play a role in future changes. V: Shot of Borders in the church. Borders in on his knees as he prays. Footage of Borders being interviewed. Borders says that people will tire of the murder and violence; that people will turn to God. Borders says that the church will play a prominent role in the community. Shots of a body on a stretcher as it is wheeled toward an ambulance; of paramedics tending to an African American woman. Shots of paramedics putting an African American man on a stretcher; of a police cruiser turning a corner.
Date:
December 17, 1990
Format:
Film/Video
Genre:
News
Location:
WGBH
Collection (local):
Ten O'Clock News
Subjects:
African American religious leaders
Urban youth
Violence
Funeral rites and ceremonies
Gangs
Places:
Massachusetts > Suffolk (county) > Boston
Mattapan (Boston, Mass.)
Link to Item:
http://bostonlocaltv.org/catalog/V_AG340MU0PKXYM06
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Ten O'Clock News