Blog Post #6: Another world is possible

Stay Woke (2016) by Peabody and Laurens Grant; Mighty Times: The Children's March (2004) by Robert Hudson and Robert Houston  

 

I want to start my blogpost by pointing out the obvious that the stories and events that were shown and discussed in the 2 documentaries happened in completely different times. This said, it's ridiculous how both documentaries talked about the same topic/ issue and how the events that transpired a long time ago are still happening now (and dare I say, I think our current time is even worse than before).

 

THE GOOD
1. Social Media

When comparing both documentaries, a major game changer for activism was the use of social media such as Twitter (Hashtags), Facebook, etc. as a tool to drive change and start (and shift) the conversation. In the film Stay Woke, the use of #BlackLivesMatter started a modern social movement that shook the entire world. It became the medium to connect the dots and highlight focusing events that eventually led to mass mobilization. It paved the way from people across the country to organize and spread awareness on BLM. More importantly, social media has become a tool where people help and show kindness to one another. One of the people in the film highlighted how social media was used during the events that transpired in Ferguson back in 2014 wherein people from Arab Springs was coaching people in Ferguson on how to deal with tear gas. How this particular incident shows solidarity and the power of social media to reach and impact people all over the world.

 

THE BAD 

1. Racism (and everything that results from it)

As I've stated earlier, a common theme in both films were the despicable and tragic events of discrimination against black Americans. The hate towards black Americans is still prevalent in the country; one noticeable difference is that nowadays, we actually see the racial injustice happening through media.

 

Police Brutality

In both films, we see how police officers (and government officials) unfairly treat black Americans. Police brutality towards black Americans have always been a huge problem in society. It's just more out in the open now because of media. A remark that stood out to me from The Children's March was when somebody said while talking about police brutality, that the goal/ theory is they want to bring it out in the open. The guy said "If you're gonna kill us, do it during the day". Thinking about it, maybe people back in the day thought that if the killings were brought to the public's attention, that it would cause uproar and that it would stop. Unfortunately, it didn't. We've seen police brutality and the killings of black Americans in broad daylight with spectators watching and recording through their phones and uploading it on the internet. We see the crime unfolding in front of our eyes and yet, it still continues to happen. Nowadays, some cops don't care whether you're a woman, an old person or a kid. They can and will hurt you.. and they do. We've seen this happen so many times.

 

2. Media

As media is used to spread awareness on important social movements like BLM, it can also be used to work against such social movements. At the end of the day, it's how the narrative is being said and shown to the public. An example would be how some news stations tried to label the BLM movement as a hate group (anti-cop). How a change in narrative can totally change the story and perspective of its audience which for me causes the huge divide in our society now. When you have people on media spreading fake news that aggravates the situation. And I'm saying this as true to both groups (liberals and conservatives news reporting).

 

THE GOOD

1. Youth

I want to end my post with what I think is one of the most important lessons in both films, which is that the youth is our future (and hope of this country). They are our secret weapon to end the injustice. During the time when MLK was seeking people to march with him (start a movement), it was the kids who stood up and volunteered. It was the kids who started and ended the movement when they marched to the Birmingham police station to get arrested and make their voices heard. It was the kids who stood arm in arm together chanting the word freedom while police officers were hosing them down. With the BLM movement, it's also mostly the youth that drives the conversation and organizing movements to spread awareness and call-to-action.

 

This is why as adults, our role as allies to the youth is so crucial in supporting and guiding them to bring (good) change to this country. As mentioned in the film, Stay Woke, we as a society have to evolve and not stop fighting for what is right. We need to GET WOKE AND STAY WOKE as we help educate kids on the harsh reality that we are all a part of.