A Baltimore Night with the Boys of Baraka

Last night I attended a private screening of The Boys of Baraka. The movie started at 7 and we got there at about 7:05. The place was packed and we were warned that there may not be seats for us. We pressed on anyway and we found seats.

The movie had started and I was immediately drawn to it because I recognized the streets where the movie was being shot. East Baltimore…the real East Baltimore was on the screen.

As the movie progressed, however, I was getting a bit uneasy at some parts. I was starting to get that feeling that I get when I watch Alex Haley’s ROOTS. Many African Americans know what I’m talking about. That rising anger, frustration, and rage created by cinematic injustice with historical significance. It was “Johns Hopkins Night” so of course the majority of people in the room didn’t look like me or the boys on the screen. I was uneasy at their laughing and snickering. I was beginning to take it personal. In addition, the administrators of the school were by and large White people. So, what’s wrong with White People? Nothing’s wrong with some of them. I’m just sensitive to that patriarchal attitude that some of them display when around brown skinned people that they think they’re better than.

I’m going to stop there. I really didn’t mean to go into all of that, but the film really brings it out and those who have an eye to see it pick it up almost instantly.

Finally, I was glad that the facilitators of last night’s private screening have the intention of making Boys of Baraka more than a movie. Yes, it’s good to hear the “success stories” of the 40 boys who made it, but what about the 86,960 others in the Baltimore Public School System who are told to excel academically with out-dated text books, aged facilities, limited technological opportunities, and some culturally ignorant teachers. Of course during the Q&A after the movie, I stood and asked the facilitators what they were prepared to do about this injustice. They are collecting the contact information of those who come to the movie and have an interest in participating in some roundtables. More talking huh? People LOVE talking…love analyzing the problem 100 times…love commissioning studies of problems that citizens already know exists. (sigh) While I’m doubtful that these roundtables will help, I’ll participate if contacted and try to encourage more action and less talk.

I’m honestly bored with Board Meetings and perturbed with non-stop Planning Sessions. There is too much work to do.