WHEN THEY SEE US
Have you watched “When they see us”?
I am not one of those bloggers who do recaps on television dramas, or Netflix originals. Let me spare you the effort and time, don’t expect me to ever say yes if you ask “ have you seen…” 90% of the time the answer will be NO. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to join that category of bloggers, but the way my 24 hours is set up; I’d be lucky if I can squeeze in 6 hours of proper sleep. Watching television is a luxury in my world. Watching great content on television, is almost like a taste of heaven.
A few weeks ago, one of my close friends insisted that I watch this new series on Netflix called “When they see us”. She explained it briefly to me. Usually I’d say, ummmm I pass. But the minute she said “ it’s an Ava DuVernay’s project”- I was ALL IN. Little did I know what I was signing up for. In parentheses, I am obsessed with Ava DuVernay and Shonda Rhimes work--- Like PURE obsession. DON’T JUDGE ME! For those of you who have not gotten a chance to watch “When they see us”, I suggest you take the time out to check it out. It will move you in ways you never expected. This blog is not a summary of the Netflix original, but rather my thoughts on what I was introduced to.
When they see us is a 4 parts series based on a true event that took place on April 19, 1989 at Central Park in Manhattan. A 28 year old white woman by the name of Trisha Meili was assaulted and rape at the park while jogging. Due to that incident, five black young boys between the ages of 14-16 (Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Jr., Korey Wise) were wrongfully jailed; because they were at the park that same night.
It took me almost three weeks to finish the 4 parts series. Not because I didn't have the time to finish it; for we all know you make time for things that are important. As I said earlier, Ava’s work is priority on my to do list. However, the mixed emotions I had to deal with from every scene almost made me sick. The series doesn’t give you an option whether or not you should feel betrayed, used, abused or violated as a black person- it roughly seize those emotions out of your soul with no hesitation or permission.
Like many of you, I did not have full knowledge of this case till it aired on Netflix. Being introduced to this level of violence really forced me to believe that the American justice system is broken beyond repair. It’s a demon that feeds off of black people’s flesh and blood. To rob five boys of their innocence is a disservice to their families, communities, we can go as far as saying their race. This America that’s supposed to be the land of the free is simply an illusion. It’s only free to the white people. You are in trouble if you have a slight hue in your DNA. For those of you who don’t know, I developed the habit of reading the newspaper everyday- as Shonda Rhimes suggested. I stumbled upon some data from the Washington post late last year. Did you know that for the first half of 2018, blacks made up 20% of those killed by police? Take a second and let that sync in. Imagine your brother, sister, husband, father, cousins part of that 20%, which I am sure is higher today. When will enough be enough? What have we done to deserve this kind of punishment?
Personally, I’ve heard too much and seen enough to conclude that there is no justice system in America. They made it clear that we are not part of America. They’ve taken our lives for granted. They’ve created division amongst us and mentally deranged us. Unfortunately for them, we are a group of people who are made of Gold. Nothing and no one can break us. BREAKING NEWS: We get better with pressure. I can only imagine the amount of innocent people behind bars due to this injustice system that continues to fail us blacks. It’s heartbreaking! Can you imagine How many families that are broken because of this fraudulent system? Will it ever get better? I pray that every black parent out there educate their young ones on what it is to be a black person in America. Also, instill in them the essence of being a black person. We are God’s best creation by far.
Hats off to the cast of “When they see us”- Each and every one of them! This is a story that needed to be heard and I am overjoyed that it is out and available to the world. You can’t hide the truth. At some point it will reveal itself. Korey Wise- I respect you OH SO MUCH! You are the epitome of strength. And Ava! Ava, Ava, Ava- what can I say? You never ceases to amaze me. Standing Ovation darling.
If you have not seen “ When they see us” Please do yourself a favor and GET ON IT NOW! Tell me what you think with a comment below and don’t forget to subscribe.
Image Credit: Netflix