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The Other Black Girl | TV Review **Contains Spoilers** The Other Black Girl a tv series featured on Hulu, based on a novel written by Zakiya Dalila Harris. This show follows Nella, an aspiring editor as she navigates office politics in the publishing world. To her surprise Hazel, a fellow Black woman is a new hire at her firm. Nella is excited about Hazel because she no longer feels alone. They begin to embark on a friendship until Nella discovers strange recurring patterns involving Hazel. Truthfully this show is not everyone’s cup of tea and I am not saying that because the main characters are Black women but because of the format of the storytelling. This psycho thriller has a satirical flare and a dash of supernatural undertones, with a cult plot twist (Big Jordan Peele vibes). Which can be a bit too much for many viewers.There is a lot going on but the storyline unfolds at a slow pace. If I did not hear just great reviews about it, I might have stopped watching after the third episode. But let’s jump into what happened! On Hazel’s first day she sort of throws Nella under the bus, leaving a bad taste in Nella’s mouth. But Hazel’s bubbly personality allows Nella to move past it. Hazel also fuels Nella’s self esteem back up and pushes her to take bigger risks in her career. This led Nella to catching her CEO’s attention. Maliaka, Nella’s best friend, starts to be suspicious of Hazel’s kindness as Nella continues to build a close friendship with her (trust your friends). Ultimately Nella discovers Hazel has a pattern of recruiting Black women and she changes how they view themselves in society. Sounds harmless but there are some sinister undertones that mirror the characteristics of a cult. Little did Nella know, this cult-like group is led by her favorite author Diana Gordon. This all comes to a head when Nella is faced with the decision to join the group or destroy it. And by the way the initiation of the cult includes using a magical hair grease that mimics a form of  hypnosis. There’s lots of unanswered questions with this series. Again this can be intentional by the creators or loose ends that will be addressed in a possible season 2. The vibe of The other black is a blend of Get Out and Bad hair. If you are a fan of these 2 then you will enjoy this show. I appreciate the show for what it is and I am curious to see how the story will continue if it gets renewed.

Queens | Season 1 Episode 1 ** Contain Spoilers** This highly anticipated show is about a ‘90s girl group, Nasty Bitches, making a comeback in their 40’s. Many of us were excited because of the star studded cast but did it live up to the hype? The episode opens up with a music video of the group’s most popular song. It was definitely giving me ‘90s vibes. There was a yacht, a mansion, a helicopter and pyrotechnics. First we see Brianna aka Professor Sex (Eve), who is now a housewife with 5 kids. Btw sis had bars! I wonder if Eve wrote her own raps? Next up, Jill aka Da Thrill (Naturi Naughton) is in a confessional booth trying to confess to a priest but she is too afraid to admit it. Hmmm I have a feeling she is cheating or something. We cut to Valeria aka Putter Pecan (Nadine Velazquez), now working as a tv host. But she spikes her coffee with drugs, weird vibes. Lastly we meet Naomi aka Xplicit Lyrics (Brandy), and she is performing at an open mic night singing her heart out. Honestly these rap names are trash but what can we expect with a group name like Nasty Bitches. Let's pause for a second. The name of the group is lowkey appalling. I am disgusted that this was even allowed. Why is a group of black women given such a cringey name. It does not matter if it is a fictional rap group. It sends the wrong message. I wonder if the actors had any objections. Something about Nasty Bitches leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The show is named Queens but the women are called nasty bitches.... the irony. Okay back to the show. Brianna picks up some lingerie to spice up her marriage but then she hears moans coming from her bedroom. Turns out her husband is having an affair with a young white woman, who happens to also be his student. Yikessss! The embarrassment... I would've killed him. Jill the "devout" Catholic is pretending she wants to have a baby because her husband desperately wants a child. So she lies about her fertility window. The real tea is she is gay and having a full bown affair with a woman (see I knew she was cheating). Naomi goes to visit her daughter who she hasn't seen in over a year. Her daughter lives with her grandmother and clearly resents Naomi for obvious reasons. Who wouldn't be upset if they haven't seen their mom for over a year. Cut to Valeria, remember when I said she put drugs in her coffee. Turns out she drugged her fellow co host to advance her own career. Spicyyyy After hearing their song on the radio the ladies decide to get together for a performance. Apparently Valeria stole Naomi's man, Eric (the group’s manager) back in the day and that is why the group fell apart. During rehearsal, Brianna’s husband shares his cancer diagnosis. Imagine finding out your cheating husband has brain cancer. Fast forward to the performance, Jill comes out to the world about her sexualility and the ladies steal the show. They decide to go on tour with a new female rap artist, Lil Muffin. Honestly this was a great premiere episode. Lots of backstory was given and just enough drama to draw viewers in. This show has made me realize how much I miss watching Brandy and Eve on screen. The acting is pretty good and the hair and makeup is on point. I am excited to see how the story plays out. I have a few predictions but let’s see what happens.

The United States v. Billie Holiday | Film Review **Contains Spoilers** This film is about how the FBI attempts to take down Billie Holiday because of her controversial song, Strange Fruit. I was super excited to see this movie because the trailer definitely piqued my interest, plus I love biopics. The movie opens with horrific images of Black people being lynched, setting the stage for the rest of the film. Billie’s song, Strange Fruit, is an anti-lynching ballad that leads to her rise in fame. The FBI sends in a Black undercover agent to get information on Billie in efforts to stop her from singing the song. They see the song as a threat because they believe it gets Black people riled up which in turn would be a threat to White supremacy. Basically the government is hating on how successful the song was doing and wanted it to stop. To our surprise the undercover agent is Jimmy Fletcher (Trevante Rhodes). He uses his charm and wit to get close to Billie, and reports back her excessive drug use to the bureau. The cops bust Billie and she is sentenced to a year and a day in jail. As Billie is detoxing in jail, James is praised at work. Although he is a sell out, he is definitely sexy (whew great casting, I can’t stay mad at him). FBI agent, Anslinger, tells James to get back with Billie. Instead of following orders, he visits her in jail and tells her the truth that the feds are determined to catch her (see I knew he wasn’t so bad) . Billie was a high functioning drug addict, she simply could not kick the bad habit. She continues to sing Strange Fruit on tour and the FBI just won’t let up. They were so determined to go after her. Billie is set up once again by another lover but at trial, James’ testimony leads to her acquittal. Thereafter he and Billie fall in love. Ultimately, her drug abuse leads to her career declining and eventually Billie developed liver disease. James stays by her side and tends to her during her time of need. Even on her deathbed, the feds tried to get Billie to go on record to denounce Strange Fruit. She refused and they arrested her and cuffed her feet to the hospital bed. Andra Day did a stunning job! She killed this role and the costume design is to die for. I did get a bit confused with the timeline with all the flashbacks but all in all I enjoyed the film. I love how they did not glance over her performances. Andra sang her face off. Imagine being told you must stop singing a particular song or else we will harass you for the rest of your life. One of the standout moments for me is the scene where the elevator operator refuses to let Billie on because it is whites only. Even though the operator was Black himself, he knew if he allowed Billie to take the ride he would be fired. Her stardom did not leave her exempt from racism and discrimination.

Judas and the Black Messiah | Film Review **Spoiler Free** Whew! I was not going to write a review on this one, but the ending left me extremely emotional, even though I knew it was inevitable. In this film local criminal, William O’Neal, is an FBI informant who infiltrates the Black Panther Party to provide intel on Fred Hampton. First of all BRA-VO! This movie deserves all of the accolades and awards it received. Congrats to Daniel Kaluuya (Who played Fred) but Lakeith deserves his awards too. Lakeith truly embodies his character and evokes real emotion, to the point where I kind of feel bad for him. He’s painted as this villain but he too is in survival mode. Can we blame him? (We can, but let’s empathize a little bit). The acting in this film is absolutely stellar. It is shot in such a beautiful way and the storytelling is seamless. This movie is very educational and we are able to see how the Black Panther Party impacted the community. I learned some things I was not previewed to and it is refreshing to see this particular story told. I knew the end of the story was not pretty but I did not know how it all went down. Watching the end was tough. The film explains how the real Bill O’Neal carried on being an informant for years to come. Bill did one interview and we see the original footage at the end, which I appreciate. He shows no real remorse for his actions and he seems selfish and arrogant. Although he presents himself in this light, you can tell that he indeed felt guilty for what his decisions. Learning that Fred was only 21 years old when he was assassinated hurt me deeply. He was truly a man for the people and he believed unity was the way toward freedom. So bright at a young age and a leader no doubt. His work continued after his death, but we are still living in the same country under the same government he was fighting against. That reality is something we can’t escape from. This film is a must see! It is an educational and motivating masterpiece. So far it is definitely the best film I have seen this year. It’s only March of course but this one hits different. I feel angry, hurt, disappointed but also happy this story is being shared across the world. Please let me know your thoughts on IG and let's discuss.

Ginny and Georgia | Season 1 Episode 1 **May contain spoilers** I was so excited to see this show and now I am hooked but let's dive in. This series features a young, hot mom, Georgia, who is looking for a fresh start with her children, Ginny & Austin. They move to a new town in Massachusetts with the hopes of finally putting down their roots. For the most part, the story is narrated by Ginny and (sometimes Georgia), which I enjoy because it adds depth to the scenes. Georgia was a teen mom and had Ginny when she was only 15 years old. So she had the sex talk with Ginny at a very young age and she told her if she (Ginny) ever has sex that she should get something out of it in return; either power or passion. We see early on that Ginny resents her mom because they are constantly hopping from place to place due to Georgia’s failed relationships. The two act more like sisters than mother and daughter. On her first day of school in this new town, Ginny’s AP English teacher makes a grand introduction to welcome Ginny to the class. I hate when teachers do this because it is so awkward and uncomfortable. I have been the new kid plenty of times so I feel Ginny’s pain. Out of spite Ginny addresses the teacher during class and basically tells him the syllabus only reflects the white male perspective because the majority of the authors are white men. The only Black author on the list was the Black History Month book selection. She gave her teacher a good read (no pun intended) and it was at that moment I realized this show wasn’t afraid to tackle “touchy” topics like race. Oh, by the way Ginny is biracial; mom is white and her dad is Black. Throughout the episode we see flashbacks of Georgia’s childhood. Her father physically abused her and she ran away at 14. Her upbringing molded her into a determined woman who always gets what she wants. Georgia is a flirt and definitely a gold digger but for her, she is doing whatever is necessary to survive. Her conniving ways led her to marrying a rich businessman in Texas. Unfortunately he passed away in a car accident, causing Georgia and the kids to want a new start. Being the new girl means you quickly make friends. Max, Ginny’s neighbor, convinces Ginny to join her squad. She begins to fit in quite well and lands herself a date with Hunter. He seems sweet but I am not sure if they are a match since Ginny has a crush on Marcus. Her date with Hunter was cool but Ginny was super nervous because it was her very first date. Later on, Georgia attends a PTA meeting at Austin’s school and she wiggles her way into landing a job at the Mayor’s office. Her southern charm is alluring; she is much different than people are used to. Here is where things get spicy. After Ginny’s date Marcus climbs into her window to interrogate her about her night. And as you can imagine, it gets hot and heavy and they start kissing but it doesn’t end there. Ginny loses her virginity to him and he nonchalantly leaves but tells her to keep the encounter lowkey. He basically just used her for sex and as soon as it was over she realized that was his intention. I love this show! Although this review is for the pilot, I am now a few episodes in and it just gets better and better. Granted I am a fan of high school dramas, but this one is a little different. It is spunky, fun and mildly mysterious. The cast is super diverse, despite the lack of Latinx representation and the storytelling is superb. It is hard to master the art of seamlessly adding in flashbacks, plus it adds background for the story. Also the actors look like actual teenagers instead of adults playing the teenager role. The series tackles racial identity, self-esteem issues, addiction, microaggressions, childhood trauma and plenty more. It is done in a clever, yet comical way, which will spark some good conversations. Let me know your thought on our IG page!

Malcolm & Marie | Film Review ** Contains spoilers** Malcolm is a film director celebrating premiere night but as he and Marie arrive home things take a turn. Bare with me with this one, there's a lot to unpack in this film. As soon as they come home, Marie is obviously upset and Malcolm is full of joy after releasing his own successful movie. The shots and camera work in the opening scene is impeccable. I am not a huge fan of the Black and white color but it’s tolerable. Honestly the pair seems like an odd match. They are clearly on two different pages and he looks significantly older than her. Marie smokes a cigarette to take off the edge and Malcolm is rambling on and on about the premiere, ignoring the fact that she is irritated. But it’s a big night and maybe he is not always like this so he gets a pass, for now. In the middle of his rant Marie slaps Macolm with a dose of reality, letting him know he had a great film and critics will always have opinions. This scene sets the stage for the remainder of the movie. Zendaya is supposed to be playing this older mature woman and I am not sure if she was the best actress to play this role. The chemistry was a bit off. The movie should've gave toxic but I love you vibes. It did in a way but not quite. I want it to feel like 'Baby Boy' but refined. But anyways when Maries gives her two cents about the movie Malcolm undermines her opinion diminishes her point of view because she “doesn’t work in film”. How rude. Marie ignores his comments as she makes Kraft mac and cheese. I’m sorry but why is she cooking that? Kraft is for kids but I’m assuming they sponsored the movie because that is the only excuse. Malcolm keeps complimenting Marie on how good she looks as she continues to ignore him. She has this look on her face that all women can relate to. You can tell she is bottling something up and is trying not to explode. Finally he notices something is wrong and asks her what’s bothering her but she isn’t in the mood to argue, so she deflects. He presses her some more but she keeps reiterating that it is not a good time to talk. He begins gaslighting her but she tries her best to disengage. Finally she tells him she is upset that he forgot to thank her in his speech. For the rest of the film Marie tells Malcolm how much she feels unappreciated and he continues to insult her and gaslight her the entire time. I will say watching them argue was triggering and a bit exhausting. Although I felt for Marie, I was able to see a portion of Malcolm’s perspective. Malcolm’s movie is inspired by Marie’s life so the lack of acknowledgement for her contribution is hurtful. Marie articulated herself plain and clear but Malcolm kept downplaying her feelings but said sorry at the same time. Men do this all the time. Sorry is not always enough especially when it is paired with insults. Malcolm denies that this movie is about Marie and basically calls her self-centered for thinking it was. The underlying argument is one many couples face. He admits the movie wouldn’t be as good if the two weren’t together and they try to make up but it’s not over yet. Every time they are on the brink of making up, the argument is dragged out even more. Malcolm patronizes Marie and names a laundry list of things he has done for her as she recovered from her addiction. He is such a manipulator! Who brags about being a good boyfriend as their girlfriend is trying to express themselves. The film is a cycle of the same argument and in the end he finally sees Marie point (I think) and genuinely apologizes. Malcolm is with Marie because helping her only benefits him and his ego. Marie is with Malcolm because of the support he provides. Oddly enough I think they love each other in their own way. Feeling undervalued and coming second to her boyfriend’s ego, is a feeling every woman has felt at least once in her life. And that is what makes this film great. The relatability. The way the writers crafted the story and revealed the characteristics of Marie and Malcolm is absolutely brilliant. Was it exhausting to watch, yes! Was it beyond triggering? Yes, and I can see how this can turn people off, but it is raw and real and I love it. It is thought provoking and it touched me. The movie was too long though, if you watch half of the movie, you pretty much have seen it all. Nothing much changes in the end. Despite the minor issues I wasn’t a fan of this film but I am happy to see this interaction in detail on screen.

White Tiger Film Review **Contains Spoilers** Low class Indian driver, Balram is determined to break the cycle of poverty and rise above. He narrates his story, in this film and takes us on his journey to success. In the movie we are told the white tiger known as the rarest animal that comes along only once a generation. The film is based on a book inspired by the working class in India. Early in the film we see how hard life is for Balram and his family. He is forced to drop out of school at a very young age to join the family business, breaking down coal. As he gets older Balram wants more for himself, so he enrolls in driving lessons with his grandmother’s approval. He lands himself a position as a driver for the local wealthy landlord, The Storck. Throughout the film we see the stark differences of how people live within the caste system. In Balram’s hometown, his entire family lives in one small dwelling and they all sleep in one room, majority on the floor. Whereas his boss lives on a compound with many servants. The Storck treats his servants as slaves almost; they even refer to him as master. This was a bit shocking to watch because this movie was set in the 2000’s. But it doesn’t stop there. The gap between the poor and the wealthy in India is intentionally wide. Wealthy people hire the poor to work extremely low-paying jobs and the poor compete for these positions just to make ends meet. It’s awful, but I am happy for the reinforcing imagery shown throughout the movie. Balram did not even know what a computer or the internet was and it was the mid 2000’s. I never knew this is what life is like for some people. It makes me really appreciate the things I have. Balram uses his wit to become the head driver for The Storck’s son, Ashok. Ashok earned his education in the US and is married to an Indian American woman, Pinky. Ashok and Pinky are not traditional Indians; they treat Balram with some dignity (or so we think). Living in American has made them more sympathetic to the poor. But when things hit the fan Ashok’s family uses Balram as a scapegoat to cover up Pinky’s tragic and careless accident. Are we surprised? Nope. Quickly Balram’s dream job became a nightmare but it motivated him even more to break out of his class. In this dog eat dog world Balram does what is needed to become an entrepreneur. Basically kill, or be killed! Overall, I enjoyed the movie but it was way too long. I was very annoyed that 99% of the movie was about struggle and we did not get to enough of Balram’s success. At the very end we see how successful he becomes but I was not completely satisfied. The movie could've been a lot shorter and I would have enjoyed it just as much.

The Equalizer | Season 1 Episode 1 **May contain spoilers** This 1980’s reboot features a newly retired CIA agent, Robyn (Queen Latifah), who uses her skills to help others in dire situations. Jewel, a young waitress, witnesses a murder and as she gives her statement to the police a doctored footage surfaces, framing her as the shooter. Like any young woman, she flees the precinct because she realizes her life is actually in danger. As Robyn gets acclimated to civilian life, she meets up with her former colleague at Coney Island. (But wait, shoutout Queen Latifah’s hair! She never misses.) Robyn sees Jewel with a suspicious man so she follows her instinct and goes after them. Low and behold, the man actually tries to take advantage of Jewel but Robyn swoops in and rescues her. Thankfully, being a former CIA operative has its perks, including having friends in high places. Robyn believes Jewel is innocent and provides her with sanctuary. In the meantime her hacker friend helps her track down the people who are after Jewel. The following day Jewel has a scholarship interview and against orders she shows up and is arrested on the spot. Robyn uses her wit and concoks a master plan for Jewel’s escape. In the end she was able to solve the case and clear Jewel’s name. The best part of the episode is when Robyn brings her daughter, Deliah, to women's prison after she finds out Deliah was caught shoplifting. Robyn points out the majority of the prisoners are Black, and as a punishment/lesson Deliah will be volunteering at the facility. This scene was a stand out moment because it provides depth to Robyn’s character. She truly wants to make a difference in the world and help others. I will say, I enjoyed the episode and it had all the action frills, bombs, fight scenes, and even a fugitive escape. It seems as though the show will follow the format of having new cases each episode which is blehh. I feel like I want to see character development with Robyn and Deliah. The spy stuff is cool too of course but watching a Black woman play this role will be interesting to see. I get the vibe the show may be predictable but I am here for the ride.

Outside the Wire | Film Review **Contains Spoilers* Drone pilot, Harper, disobeys a direct order and eliminates a threat, resulting in the death of 2 American soldiers. Although he saved 38 people, his insubordination must be addressed. He is sent back to training under Captain Leo. Upon arrival Leo tells Harper they are off to a mission and as he’s getting dressed Leo takes off his shirt. To our surprise Leo is a cyborg living in a human sleeve but his identity is classified. The movie is set in 2036 and it is normal to have robot soldiers but what is unique here is that Leo appears human, physically and emotionally. Leo has strong human characteristics: emotions, displays humor, and he understands human behavior. It’s ironic because Harper makes calculated decisions as if he is a machine and Leo is a machine that thinks with the greater good in mind. Leo convinces Harper to help him find and kill Koval, a Russian spy. Koval has access to nuclear weapons that would pose a threat to America. Ultimately Leo goes rogue and breaks the law under Harper’s name. Leo wants to steal the nuclear weapons and go through with the attack on US soil. He believes this will save humanity in the long run. But what does he know about humanity right? Leo and Harper are both products of the U.S. military. Instead of exploring how their experiences can help one another, the film focuses on their differences. The ending is pretty straightforward and predictable. The movie had all the making of an action film but the plot fell short. I was thrilled to see how these two actors work together but I wish the story was better written.

The Binge | Film Review **Contains Spoilers** The trailer most definitely sold me. This movie is a utopia where everyone is enlightened about the dangers of addiction and no one partakes in drugs or alcohol. But once a year there is a 12 hour period where all drinking and drug use are legal, this is referred to as The Binge. Think the purge but instead of crimes think intoxication. The opening of the film consists of anti-drug PSA’s and we learn that anyone 18 and older can participate in The Binge without repercussions. The idea is, allowing people to partake in an annual binge would combat the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Most citizens don’t participate in The Binge after the first time. One night of utter chaos seems to be enough. We cut to a high school assembly where Principal Carleson discourages the seniors by sharing the horror stories of binge night. Griffin has a huge crush on Lena and he is hoping tonight will be his chance to finally make a move. Griffin’s best friend, Hags, is more than excited for the adventures ahead. Every year at the infamous library party people compete in the Gaunlet (a series of challenges) to earn bragging rights of being crowned Guanlet legends. Hags is determined to win by any means necessary this year. Meanwhile, as Griffin musters up the courage to finally ask out Lena, a secret admirer intervenes and sends her on a scavenger hunt. Griffin’s ticket was confiscated by Principal Carleson but he is determined to go to the party so he can win over Lena. Andrew, a fellow classmate, tags along with Hags and Griffin in exchange for an extra ticket. Basically a lot of craziness happens as they make their way to the party. The boys drink and smoke excessively and land themselves in most chaotic circumstances. Finally they get to the party and the identity of Lena’s secret admirer is revealed (gotta watch the movie for the tea). The ending is pretty predictable and has a happy ending. The movie is full of sarcasm and humor, making it fun to watch. It is like a teenage version of The Hangover.

Superstore is an ensemble show highlighting the woes employees face working at a big discount department store, Cloud 9. Newly employed, Jonah wants to impress the floor manager, Amy. Unfortunately for him she is not easily impressed. She tells him to reduce the prices of the electronics by 25% since they are running a sale. Clumsy Jonah, hits reprice instead of reduce! All of the electronics were ringing up as 25 cents. The store was in mayhem and everyone was trying to grab what they could. I know I would have definitely racked up. Assistant store manager, Dina who is super militant, shoots her shot gun in the air and alarms the customers the sale is now over. Just utter madness at this point but it’s funny. Jonah has a slight crush on Amy and wants to get her to loosen up. I get the vibe Jonah comes from money or something, because he isn’t practical and he lacks common sense at times. Amy is constantly correcting him about a bunch of little things. Mateo is the other new guy but he is a brown noser. He is full of personality and I am excited to watch his character. Cheyenne is the young and very pregnant one. I am surprised she is working, as far long as she is. Amy apologizes to Jonah for her crudeness. She explains the monotony of the job has gotten to her. She struggles to find the silver lining at work. During this conversation a burglar comes into the store with a gun and tells everyone to get down. Turns out the culprit is Cheyenne’s boyfriend and he breaks out into a flash mob and proceeds to propose to her. She says yes but the police arrives and arrests him. This is a good first episode. I laughed a few times and I see the potential of the show.

Crack | Film Review **Contains Spoilers** This Netflix documentary explores the Crack era in the 80s. The film is divided in 8 sections discussing distribution, the news during this time and the lasting effects the epidemic has on the community. Like most documentaries, we are bombarded with evoking imagery. It begins with images of broken communities and a former user saying “This is a story that has to be told”. We see President Reagan giving a speech about stimulating the economy in urban communities. Under this administration a surge of people were removed from welfare and food stamps. About 8.5 million Americans were unemployed but keep in mind Black people are unemployed at a higher rate than whites. Former drug dealers and users describe how life was like living in poverty. Oftentimes the trauma of being poor is not usually discussed in detail. From 1982 to 1984 cocaine usage increased by 50% but the average person could not afford it. Crack was harder to make but easier to sell. Users typically feel the effects of crack 5-15 minutes in. You are hooked on the first hit. Recovering users describe the first hit as orgasmic. A former dealer explains that selling crack was the easiest way to make money. In 20-30 minutes he sold 100 pipes. At that time the cops did not care to even arrest people with addiction. Infamous drug dealer, Rick Ross, said he made $200,000 - $300,000 a day. He made so much money he decided to purchase a motel, movie theater, shoe store, beauty salon, and more. The users were addicted to the drugs and the dealers were addicted to the money. Thus, violence increased in urban neighborhoods because guns became more accessible. Fear was felt throughout the whole community. The film explained how crack was an escape for many people. It was used to cope with the emotional trauma people dealt with. Black women in particular were a large part of crack users. Many families were destroyed and abandoned by the mother. Crack was used as a form of chemical warfare against the Black community. As we continue watching, the documentary addresses the government’s role in the war on drugs. Just say no was a major anti-drug campaign that was plastered all over the media, but in reality many communities were not receiving any help to resolve the problem. The documentary does a great job of visual representation. They show us how 1 gram of crack is nearly equivalent to 1 small sugar pack. Based on the 1985 Anti-drug abuse act a person with 5 grams of crack would receive the same sentence (5 years min) as a person with 500 grams of powder cocaine. This law reflects systematic racism because many of Black people were affected the most and were jailed as a result. The doc ends with the experiences and PTSD explained by users and dealers. They all talk about the lost; the lost jobs, loss of themselves and their families. I think each chapter of the film should've gone in deeper. I would have loved to see this as a full docuseries. Eight subsects in a 1hr 45 mins documentary didn't seem like enough. I wanted more. I am pretty knowledgeable about the crack era so I don't think the doc served me. If you have no clue about the war on drugs then you should watch this. I enjoy watching docs because of the emotion it evokes and the depth of information and I think this one could have been more informative.