I’m Not Racist…Am I? review & reflections
I’m Not Racist!…Am I? is a feature documentary about how this next generation is going to confront racism. The film’s unique focus on kids and family immediately grabbed our attention. So a few of us Brownicity moms moved heaven and earth to attend the screening at Trinity Episcopal School in Charlotte, NC.
Through the documentary, we followed twelve New York City teens on a year long journey getting to the heart of racism. We watched as these kids were challenged within themselves, their friendships and families. We watched as they had conversations that most adults are too afraid to have. We watched as these remarkable young people navigated through naiveté, guilt and a few tears to develop deeper bonds, a stronger resolve and a truer definition of racism.
Their collective navigation was made both complicated and beautiful by the mosaic of their individual stories. After the film, we moms talked about with whom of the twelve we most identified.
Personally, as a black woman, I could identify with Kahleek, who through involvement in the project, was relieved and excited to gain a framework and language for articulating how institutional and structural racism had played out in his life.
But as a mom, I was most impacted by Abby, who is multiethnic (bi-racial) like my children. Unlike our family, Abby’s parents had not talked about race with her. As Abby is empowered by her involvement in the project, we watch her have a weighty and convicting conversation with her father, telling him, “If we would have talked about it as a family, I would have been more comfortable.” Can you say ‘Brownicity Soap Box Moment?’
It is empowering to see and understand the forces in your life that work independently of your own abilities, talents, and will. It is even more empowering to be given the permission to deconstruct and dismantle these forces. Brownicity exists to help families do this.
Watching these kids take this journey will inspire adults to do the same. See the website for how to access I’m Not Racist!…Am I? This film is an invaluable tool for families and communities.
The film is part of a larger initiative – Deconstructing Race – developed by The Calhoun School to create a multimedia platform to get young people, their teachers and their families talking – and doing something – about structural systemic racism. (http://notracistmovie.com/)