Cineplex is offering Canadians a whole bunch of movies that speak to the black experience for free this month – check here for a complete list – and this is one of them, as it should be. I hadn’t seen it since it was released in theatres and Sean hadn’t seen it at all.
It’s been 7 years since this movie came out, but I still remember how deeply it had moved me, saddened me, enraged me, which is why a part of me wasn’t super keen to revisit it. And another part of me was disgusted by that part’s response: the suffering and inherent iniquity of my fellow human beings makes me uncomfortable because IT SHOULD. My ancestors helped create this mess, my privilege benefits from it, and my inaction maintains it.
Oscar Grant III was just 22 years old when he was shot by a white cop while lying face down on the ground. It’s been nearly 12 years since his death signaled a significant problem in policing, and nearly 12 years since we’ve continued to allow our darker skinned friends to die for their melanin. The problem has of course existed as long as policing has; American law enforcement was built in the wake of slavery as a new way to round up black bodies and extort free labour from them, but only in this century has the presence of cellphones allowed these shootings to be captured on film. Grant’s name joins a long list of black men and women murdered by police.
Fruitvale Station is the first feature length film by director Ryan Coogler and his first collaboration with Michael B. Jordan – but not his last. His next film, Creed, gives Rocky fans (and Rocky himself) a strong black protagonist to root for, an extension of Apollo Creed’s (Carl Weathers) legacy, but also a modern American hero for a new audience to look up to. Coogler’s next film takes that premise to an even greater height with Marvel’s first black super hero movie, Black Panther. Through Wakanda, Coogler explores themes of responsibility and identity. He casts Jordan as Killmonger, the fearsome but ultimately sympathetic villain. He helps T’Challa realize that Wakanda’s relative strength and power means they owe something to their neighbours in need, a message that seems not to permeate stubborn white audiences.
Cineplex and other streaming services are also offering another Michael B. Jordan super hero movie for fee this month: Just Mercy. Bryan Stevenson is a real-life African American lawyer who helps wrongfully convicted death row prisoners. Just Mercy is further proof that Michael B. Jordan is himself a black idol, and a major, bankable Hollywood star, living up to his name’s GOAT status.
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
This is a really great film and so very sad. I’m glad Coolger and Jordan continue to work together.
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Yes, they are a modern day muses and they do great work together, obviously.
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I heard in light of the BLM protests that studios were allowing many movies to stream free here, too. I never did see this. I probably should.
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Blindspotting was another excellent eye opener.
Maybe I’ll rewatch Fruitvale Station.
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I feel the same way, it saddened me in ways that I couldn’t comprehend. As a mother, it made it worse because I have three boys and I’d never want this to happen to them.
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just watched this for the first time last night and was blown away. cried multiple times. felt that rage, that despair, that hopelessness–if only a fraction of what the Black people who did go through this and are going through this feel. remarkable film.
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What did ancestors do Jay?
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Um…colonized the world? Stole land and claimed it for themselves. Built a society and government that only favoured white men. Used people of colour as chattel. Oppressed people for race, religion, class, gender, sexuality, and more. Wrote laws to hoard power. Went to war for financial gain. Used resources with no regard for the planet. Regulated women’s bodies. Complained about affirmative action. Segregated neighbourhoods. Took what they wanted. Paid lip service to equality but never changed the status quo.
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Wow your ancestors did all that. Well you’re doing a lot of good in the world Jay. I guess the struggle always continues for us all to try and be good to ourselves and each other. We can only try.
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Having white skin in this world carries a lot of shame. We can’t begin to atone for all the injustice that’s come before but we can sure as hell do better now.
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I’m not ashamed of my skin or my ancestors. I am ashamed of my failures and the pain I have caused others. Plenty of shame there. I can acknowledge historical injustices and fight for a better world without the shame you speak of. That is me and I support you in what you hold be true too Jay.
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