When The See Us (E02)

Can a film shout at that audience and shame them for their mistakes? Can it not make it any more clearer to the American people that they're wrong? That we do have racial divide in this country and yes, that we do have racial injustice and yes, that we do have racists among us? Those who act like they don't see color are part the systenic problem.

The end of the 2nd episode of when they see us is edited and shot so well, there is no other conclusion to be made other than the one above. It's as clear as day what the director, Ava Duvernay, wants to tell the audience that she might as well stand in front of the camera and speak directly to the audience to tell them, "Wake up, Americans. This is reality."

The close ups of the victims and their sad and angry faces, they weep, they show hatred for what the public has done to innocent kids. It doesn't matter how old they are. If they're black they're a suspect. They needed a scapegoat with all the anger pent up and no direction to point it towards.

In Kevin Richardson's close up in the ending a light fades as do with the rest of the Five, a symbol of the loss of bright flame of hope that was extinguished from these poor children's futures. Hopes and aspirations of baseball players and trumpet players are thrown away due to bloodlust for the still-unknown real criminal. It's brilliant of Ms. Duvernay and shows an ability to think in cinematic terms. What turning off a simple light can mean and it can reflect a lot of emotion. She is highly skilled and I want to be able to understand more art at this level. I want to further my education on film because this is some highly interesting lesson.

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