# data[].attributes.body
You guys have created such a compelling film, I absolutely loved it. It was wonderful to see you show an act as simple as picking up trash and sweeping the streets, because advocacy doesn’t always have to be as front-lined as protests. What often holds people back from actively participating in important movements like these is the fear of being labeled “thugs,” like how you mentioned in your poem. But advocacy can be as simple as picking up a cigarette 🤬 in support of all those who took action the day before. It shows that every single person is capable of being a part of the Black Lives Matter movement in their own way. And I have to say, the poem you all shared was so well-written and powerful… wow. The lines that I found to be the most impactful were “From our homes we hear those disputed, / With chants of discontent: / ‘Are you stupid’ / Should I just relent?” and “And no equality for some is none for everyone.” Sometimes it can be hard to feel like the little things I do actually matter or make a difference, especially when there are people in my life telling me it is a waste of time. But it’s so true that when the entirety of society is the problem (systemic racism), then the entirety of society must be active in fighting against it. And I loved that you ended the film by showing real images and videos from “the students, families, and community of Foshay learning center,” because it felt very grounded and empowering in the sense that literally anyone can get out there and fight for what is right. You are incredible people for caring about BLM and for being brave enough to participate, keep it up <3
- Rishelle from Prof. G’s class.
(p.s. I pretty much never notice the soundtrack of films, but the song selection here was PHENOMENAL. It got me in my feels!!)

# data[].attributes.body
Dear Matthew, Juan, and Gabriel,

I want to commend you for this film for not only the bravery it took, but also the ability to powerfully move everyone.  The first part of the film was phenomenal, as I thoroughly enjoyed how you explicitly contradicted the prejudices and stereotypes placed among you all.  Often times, as I learned from Dr. Gaunt, it is easier to classify many of the movements and actions that people of color are doing as “ghetto” or “ratchet” (Gaunt, 247).  Many people fail to learn or try to understand the meanings behind certain actions; thus, they categorize it as an offensive act.  According to Gaunt, twerking is one of those movements, and people will criticize it without understand its true meaning.  I believe that it relates to the theme used at the beginning of the film where you prove stereotypes wrong.  They try to frame you all as violent criminals who want to cause harm to the community, when it shows that everyone in the community is willing to support each other and the community.  The first scene had a large impact on my life, and I am glad I was able to see it.

I really enjoyed the second part of the film as well, when you all documented the protests of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.  One thing that bothers me about the protests is the amount of people who were there yet failed to continue to fight for the cause after.  Many people were there for performative reasons, especially after the recent racial injustices.  A respectable portion of the people who protested for George Floyd are not showing the same energy that they did.  This relates to a topic that Bell Hooks talks about in her piece about “Cultural Criticism and Transformation”.  She often discusses how Whites will “possess, own, control, and shape” and try to profit it from it.  People were there because it was a trend to be a part of, and businesses used it to attract customers.

Although this is the unfortunate truth, there are people like you all who genuinely care for Black people and fight for justice and equality.  You are able to be brave and travel to places like Portland to protest.  Please continue being strong.

Sincerely,

Sheldon Wong (From Professor G’s Class)

# data[].attributes.body
This was a very powerful film, and you all used some amazing camera work to capture this footage. The words you all spoke throughout the film were so genuine and heartfelt, and I feel that if someone that did not understand the BLM movement watched this, they would understand the motives of protesters and supporters much better. It is truly a shame to watch racial injustice and systemic racism continue to prevail in this country supported by people who refuse to listen to wise words such as these. I loved your talk about unity and coming together to support and defend our fellow members of society so that we may all move closer to living truly free someday. I also have to say that your audio throughout the film is wonderful including your choice of songs as well as the clippings of Donald Trump and others speaking slander against BLM protesters. I thought that the audio you began with along with the clip of you preparing for a protest was a perfect contrast to show the ridiculousness of the words people like that say. I applaud all of you for travelling to all those protests, standing up for what is right, and making an empowering film for the movement.

-Griff R. (Professor G’s class)

# data[].attributes.body
WOW, this is incredibly powerful and moving.

The footage you captured and incorporated was stunning, you really get a sense of the weight these protests carry, their importance, and what they represent outside of a mainstream narrative. You’ve contextualized how this past year will hold such important political and historical consequences. The poetry you used was also very impactful, although I will say between the dialogue and song choices (which were PERFECT), this film is in of itself very poetic.

I feel blessed to have seen your film, thank you so much for making it.

Thanks

Jackson G. (Prof. G’s Class!)

# data[].attributes.body
This was a great film. It was super thought provoking and humbling, and it reminded me that we can make a big difference if we band together. When talking about the fact that issues of race and injustice is the responsibility of everyone as an individual, it was fitting to show footage of a kid picking trash up around the neighborhood—it’s not necessarily his job, but he steps up to make a positive change. And if everyone did that then it would make a huge impact. The same goes for racism and black lives matter. This film acts as a great call to action without explicitly telling people to do anything. It’s moving and inspiring with all the different footage, from dancing in the ocean to BLM protests to just words on the screen. It all comes together to recognize and appreciate the work that we must all put in to make progress in this fight. -Audrey from Professor G's class

# data[].attributes.body
This is an immaculately crafted piece of art. I’ve watched and rewatched several times, and still get goosebumps each viewing session.

Utilizing dialogue from Trump’s speech in the introduction established a beautiful dichotomy between what the media portrays many minorities as versus who they actually are. The young man cleaning up litter in his city should never be labeled a “domestic terrorist”, yet this is what Trump’s speech implied. Trump’s speech insinuated the film may feature shots of brutality and violence, yet this was the opposite of what was actually shown: an individual realizing his purpose and peacefully working with others to help realize their similar goals.

The film transitioned between shots of only one person to shots of large groups working together. To me, this portrayed the idea that every human holds a degree of beautiful individuality to themself, however as a group can accomplish world-changing feats. Understanding and accepting our differences rather than fighting them is the key to realizing actual change, whether that’s on an individual or a country-wide scope. I was touched and moved by the quote “no equality for some is none for everyone”. This was beautifully delivered and further elevated the film’s significance for me.

I absolutely loved the incorporation of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” into the film. The song instilled a degree of empowerment and assuredness. It left a sense of confidence that the world will slowly become a better place, thanks to the voices of millions who fight for BLM. Finally, ending the film with the visual of a street painted with a simple yet strong message was beautiful. It cemented the fact: Black Lives Will Always Matter.

Thank you so much for your incredible work.

Best,

Greg Sarandi from Professor G’s class

# data[].attributes.body
WOW. That was really really good. It is crazy to think how we have been taught in school growing up that after the civil rights movement everything basically "okay" when they are FAR from it. I came to learn that this was not the case on my own through experiences I went through as well the experiences of my family, friends and those around me. It really opened my eyes to see how rough things truly are rather than what is taught in school and in the media. The BLM movement showed this to us all firsthand on not only a national scale but a global one. I am extremely grateful that you guys could put this together and share it with everyone. The dialogue, the powerful yet majestic dancing in the ocean, and the real life photos and videos from the BLM protests added a deeper level of support to the whole message. This was phenomenal guys.   ~Benjy from Professor G's class

# data[].attributes.body
This video is simply awesome! Referring back to course material, I think this video links with the discussions we had in class about black and latino fighting for racial equalty. This video portrays beyond those two races but move onward to the whole races' community, where each fight for race equality and as a whole fight for one goal, equality. In the video what specially resonate with my cultural even is the "Hongkong Independence", many Hong Kong people tried to fight to equality, which they believe it has to be through violence only. In the video, there were many scenarios that are portrayed as "violent" and "angerness", but the true intension I believe is to fight to justice and equality. In the video, there's a phrase "there's a fight, which we should all fight" really surprosed me and got me pondering over how heavy the topic of discrimination is. However, many people chose to be "silent" by not joining the fight, but frankly speaking Black culture has been penetrating to every race life for a long time. We should engage this fight, and to really stand up for them who has been always positively impacting our lives. Luo Geng Xu Zhou From Professor G's class!

# data[].attributes.body
Hello there! First off, I would like to thank you for reminding all of us and truly emphasizing the fact that the Black Lives Matter fight is not just the fight of Black humans, but of everyone. So many people are reluctant to be engaged in the fight, which is hypocritical considering just how much Black culture impacts all of our lives. Whether it be through the music we like to listen to, or the way we dance, the impact of Black humans is everywhere. We should not stand back and watch, but truly fight along with them. It is also beautiful to think about the three women behind Black Lives Matter. Women of color, who are some of the most silenced voices. Women of color, who have sparked a large movement of anti-racism. We should not forget to acknowledge them. Again, thank you so much for this! It was wonderful to see your part in the Black Lives Matter fight.

- Juliana S. (from Professor Grimes' class)

# data[].attributes.body
While it is sad to see how people seeking more love rather than anger are defined as “anarchists,” “criminals,” and their behavior as “violent,” “anger,” it gives me hope there are still people who look out for each other and are not afraid to have their own opinions, regardless of their involvement in such movements. The message you tried to pass on was very clear and you have successfully accomplished to inform viewers that you don’t have to be black to participate in the BLM movement and that it is about all of us.  I really appreciate you guys having the ability to express their opinions in such a beautiful way. Traveling from SoCal to Portland to be a part the movement shows how you truly believe in what you are saying. I wish I was able to do that. Other than that, the film was aesthetically pleasing as well. The choice of background music and the images you wanted to express were very effective. The part where you were in Portland was amazing; I wish you guys can further your talents in documenting your perspectives.

# data[].attributes.body
This film is beyond amazing and so powerful. The imagery and B-roll used really depicted South LA in the correct light. You all showed the true community that South LA is, especially in the clips showing the community clean-up. This showed how members of the community are actively trying to better the environment that they live in. This serves as a metaphor for how people are coming together to support the Black Lives Matter Movement to better this country. I also loved all of the song choices and found that they really support the visual clips and the audio, especially “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar. The song choice really meshed well with the overall message of the film. I also loved how you explained how you are going to make Black Lives Matter “your fight”, even though it might not directly relate to you and your experience. Additionally, I am moved by your powerful words, “we need to speak up and stand in solidarity for people that are being attacked by a system that is supposed to protect and serve”. Your whole film relates to a lot of topics we discuss in Professor G’s class. Specifically, commodified blackness discussed in Bell Hooks’ Cultural Criticism and Transformation. Hooks describes commodified blackness by exemplifying how Whites and popular culture are hyper obsessed with rap music, streetwear, and other tokens of Black culture however, White people continue to mistreat and oppress Blacks. Whites pick and choose the parts of Black culture they want to benefit from and profit off of, and then treat Blacks with hatred and violence. I have so much respect for you all for making this film because it gives me hope for a more accepting future. I am so glad Professor G asked us to watch this film.

# data[].attributes.body
I can see how much work and passion you all have put into this video. Thank you so much for sharing your perspectives on the issue to educate others. You made such a good point in the video about the importance of standing with anyone who is oppressed. It is so disheartening to see the parallels to how much worse black people are treated compared to white people for the same offense. The media in particular was majorly inaccurate and biased. I thought the part about people coming together to clean the neighborhood was an important clip as it affirmed that the media could not have been more wrong. As someone who doesn’t have as much proximity to this issue as I should, you have encouraged me to not forget all that continues to happen in our “free” country. It is my responsibility to find these injustices even when they are not in front of me and stand up to the injustices that happen all too often. I liked that point that “until we’re all free we never truly are.” It was especially an important message because yesterday was the anniversary of Brenna Taylor’s death and she still has not gotten justice. It is a necessary reminder that although the movement is not as visible to social media as it was before, it does not mean that it is no longer a problem. Thank you again for taking the time to share such an important film.

# data[].attributes.body
Honestly, this is easily one of the best short films I have ever seen. This entire film was extremely powerful, and that's not only due to the topic being discussed. The opening was wonderfully executed, showing a teenager getting ready to go to a protest while Donald Trump spewed ignorance about how Black Lives Matter are just a bunch of "thugs" and "looters" really captured the state of the United States and how necessary the BLM movement is. I am not black, and this video does and excellent job portraying how this is still my fight, because it is everyone's fight. BLM is about fighting for equality, it's about fighting for human rights. Some things I really appreciated about the creation of this video is the editing style, as it does a great job transitioning between the imagery of the protests, and how violently the police reacted to the protests. Also, the music used by black artists who have been calling for change since the 1960s, and well before that as well. The original poem is also another masterpiece, and beautifully ties the imagery in the video with the reason why Black Lives Matter is everyone's fight. Excellent job, this film was a fantastic experience. I am from Professor G's class, and I'm really glad I was able to see and appreciate this piece of art. Thank you for making this. - Jennah Saqib

# data[].attributes.body
Matthew, Juan, and Gabriel,

Thank you for creating this film! For those who are not Black, myself included, it seems way too easy to step away from the BLM movement because it has been criticized so harshly and unfairly. When in reality, as communicated by your film, “until we’re all free, we never truly are”, meaning that everyone has a way to identify with BLM and should not be exempt from our duty to act against social injustices. I think the footage of participating in community cleanup was really powerful, especially because in a way, it applied this same idea to a different subject. By cleaning up the community, you are not only taking care of and supporting your community but also recognizing that it is still important that you participate in the solution to a problem in the community, even if the problem does not directly impact you. This appreciation, support, and love for the community creates a unified force for change. Furthermore, in What is “Black” in Popular Culture?, author Stuart Hall describes the limiting mentality of “nothing ever changes, the system always wins” (107). I think it is really important that we do not fall back on this mentality in response to discouragements, and this film was an amazing reminder that change is possible. Thank you for inspiring me to make myself more involved in the BLM movement and my community and reminding me of my responsibility to confront injustice.

(Shoutout to Professor G for recommending that we watch your film. I’m so grateful that I got to watch this.)

# data[].attributes.body
Dear Matthew, Juan, and Gabriel,

Your film was outstanding! From the music, to the images, and especially the poetic words that were said. The message was clear and I felt your genuine call to action. I agree, it is easy to sit back and think that the movement does not need me because I’m not black. However, like you all mentioned, there is power in numbers and justice for some is injustice for all. I look back at the riots as a time period that I am grateful to have witnessed because it showed how powerful we are when we come together to fight against systemic injustices that continue to plague this nation.

South LA has been greatly influenced by black culture… in fact popular culture as a whole relies heavily on black tradition, music, and dance. My respect to you all for creating such an empowering film. It is great to know that the youth recognizes how important it is to stand in solidarity with BLM and our black brothers and sisters whose roots in this country run as far back as the beginning of this nation.

When I was young, I remember learning about the civil rights movement and thinking that the fight for injustice was finally over. To be honest, my parents did their best to keep me inside a bubble but as I grew older I witnessed just how far from justice we still are. If it is frustrating to me, I cannot imagine how defeated the black community must feel as we are barely moving towards true equality. I will continue to show my support for BLM and encourage others to do the same until justice is served! Great job, you all should be proud of your work.

Best,

Leslie Ramos from prof. Grimes’ class

# data[].attributes.body
You guys made such a valuable film. As an international student, I am in living in an environment where not so many people know what is actually going on in the U.S. Like how your film starts, media in our country also like to focus on the destructions and violence that the movement has caused. Constantly seeing those images of destructions and violence, many people start questioning BLM. Therefore, I think it is very important to document the truth and tell the world WHAT we are fighting for, and HOW we are fighting for something that we truly care about. I am so thankful that you guys made this film. Thank you!

# data[].attributes.body
The First word I would use to describe this film is POWERFUL. I could feel the emotion and the thought that went into the creation of this masterpiece as the struggle against injustice was described. Its so sad that this system of inequality is still being promoted in some communities and has been pushed for hundreds of years. We think of the United States as such a respected and developed country but when basic issues such as inequality and equal rights comes up, I feel like we still have a long way to go. The speech in this film was extremely strong and very influential and the music choice emphasized the strength and gave me chills. As I'm siting here writing this comment, I'm thinking about how I want to be apart of this ongoing fight against the system that we thought would protect us. I feel inspired and motivated after watching this beautiful film to try to go out and make a change next time I have the opportunity.    -Hayan Khan (Professor Grimes's student)

# data[].attributes.body
Thank you for this powerful representation of the BLM movement! It is absolutely crucial to acknowledge the fact that not only certain people or communities, but the entire court system and popular culture in the US are built on the remains of slavery and still deeply rooted in racism. The significance and importance of this collective uprising movement for racial justice and equality are undeniable and it is illuminating to watch people go to the streets fighting for the basic human rights all around the globe. I was part of the mass BLM protest in Berlin in June 2020 and it brings hope to my heart to see unified masses of people raising their collective voices which forces changes to happen!! To everyone who went to protests in Portland, LA, or other cities in the US and was accused of being "criminals, rioters, looters, domestic terrorists, anarchists, angry young people, ..." the world is standing with you. EW

# data[].attributes.body
I really enjoyed this film! From the beginning it was packed with societal critique and powerful messaging. The BLM movement was belittled and barraged by negative criticism from right wing media and the Trump. I think this idea was excellently displayed in the following shots of people cleaning the streets as well. A community such as South LA's is often negatively portrayed in the media and in the minds of affluent individuals; however, once you go into the community you see individuals that are proud and  truly care about the people and the places they live. Its this love for our community that drives the Black Lives Matter movement across the nation and I think that was really depicted in the film. Overall, an excellent film and I'm really glad professor G suggested I watch it!

# data[].attributes.body
Hearing some of the beginning audio brought tears to my eyes. It is always so frustrating that our cries for justice are disguised as terrorist attacks and violence. I liked how the film mentioned how easy it is for us to not speak up for injustices when they are not directly linked to us. The idea for all of our communities to stand up together in solidarity is a message that I wish more people would understand. Everyone deserves to be treated as a human being and that was made in this film as it emphasized that we are a country that stands for equality and justice. I also appreciated the song choice of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Alright”.  (All the song choices were really good) This was such a powerful choice as I remembered when Kendrick Lamar performed this song at the Grammys in protest against police brutality. The song speaks to the struggles of the modern black experience in America while also recognizing hundreds of years of struggle that led to this point.  The series of poems was very impactful. This film was very powerful and I truly enjoyed it. This is brilliant. (I am glad Professor Grimes sent me to watch these films)

# data[].attributes.body
Wow. I'm glad Professor G encouraged us to watch these films. From the music, to the images, to the videos, this film was powerful. People tend to forget that being black is not a trend, that Black Lives Matter is not merely a movement because we really are fighting for our lives and for survival. I think this film does a good job to emphasize that. I love it. Good work!

# data[].attributes.body
YES! amazing video! #BLM -FS

# data[].attributes.body
Proud of you all! The music along with the visuals are very powerful.

# data[].attributes.body
this is the best film!!!! great job~ u guys are so cool  ♡  ♡  ♡  ♡  ♡

# data[].attributes.body
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 Love it. So much goodness.

# data[].attributes.body
The Sam Cooke. Powerful.