On These Grounds
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On These Grounds
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that On These Grounds is a chilling documentary on racist policing practices in U.S. schools. It follows human rights activist Vivian Anderson, who brings her activism to Columbia, South Carolina, where a White police officer assaulted a Black girl at Spring Valley High School. The Black girl, Shakara, and her classmate who filmed the incident, Niya, were both charged with "disturbing school," despite being the victims of the violence. Mature content includes infrequent use of the word "f--k"; footage of police officers choking, dragging, and beating Black children and Black adults; Black children and Black adults lying on the ground unconscious; White supremacist rhetoric and iconography, including the Confederate flag; and discussion of sexual violence including child molestation. Positive themes include bravery, inner strength, perseverance, and resistance against injustice.
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What's the Story?
In ON THESE GROUNDS, human rights activist Vivian Anderson travels to Columbia, South Carolina, after a video goes viral depicting a White police officer choking and violently dragging a 16-year-old Black girl from her school desk. Anderson provides support for the student, Shakara, and her classmate who filmed the incident, Niya, who were both charged with "disturbing school" despite being the victims of the violence. The documentary explores how the endemic of policing and criminalizing Black people in the United States is rooted in slavery and upheld by racist systems. Deputy Ben Fields, the White officer who assaulted Shakara, is followed, too -- defending his use of force. Anderson confronts Fields in a heated discussion about dismantling in-school policing, which is revealed to be the fastest-growing area of policing in the United States. To provide context for the documentary, geographer Janae Davis explores how the South Carolina landscape holds a history of trauma: The overgrown homes of formerly enslaved Black people are monuments of historical trauma that are allowed to disintegrate, while Confederate flags are protected on government property.
Is It Any Good?
On These Grounds is tough yet necessary viewing on racist, violent policing practices in U.S. schools. The documentary examines the incident at Spring Valley High from a number of angles and includes interviews with multiple individuals involved. While this approach softens the point of view of the filmmakers, it means viewers meet both the victims of the crime, who are still reckoning with their trauma, and the perpetrators, who are steadfast in their innocence. All of it is difficult to digest. The repeated footage of police officers assaulting children is chilling, and there's a balance the filmmakers must strike between exposing these realities and numbing viewers' sensitivity to the violence. While On These Grounds isn't easy viewing, it shows how both laws and individuals perpetrate violence on Black children and provides examples of resilience, perseverance, and resistance in the face of injustice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how On These Grounds handles the topic of police brutality in schools. Can you think of other films that have addressed the topic?
What are your thoughts on the "disturbing school" law?
Does being Black, having Black friends, or having Black children mean that someone can't act racist or uphold anti-Black racism? Why, or why not?
How does the film show the value of perseverance? Why is that an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 24, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: September 24, 2021
- Director: Garrett Zevgetis
- Studio: Gravitas Ventures
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- Run time: 108 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: July 25, 2022
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