Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is the Answer

An early montage of police brutality shows real footage of many different instances of Black people being unjustly harmed and hurt by police, beaten, thrown from cars, thrown to the ground, wrestled, and some show police kneeling on Black men, while some say out loud many times, "I can't breathe!" Some of the footage also shows different instances of police firing on and shooting their guns at Black people who have their hands up, who are running away for their lives, or are on the ground helplessly. Lots of personal stories of unfair and illegal treatment at the hands of police. Stories of police shooting Black men unjustly. For example, police officer Betty Shelby shot unarmed Terence Crutcher, whose hands were empty and high in the air when he was shot, police officer Jonathan Aledda shot unarmed and lying prone Charles Kinsey, a mental health therapist trying to help a client with autism in the street, and police officer Blane Salamoni shot Alton Sterling, whose cause of death was ruled a homicide, even though the investigations that the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of Louisiana conducted concluded that the police officers involved in the murder "acted in a reasonable and justifiable manner." Other stories of unfair assault, neglect, pepper spraying, beatings, and unjust arrests are told from the people who experienced and witnessed them. Stories come from both police and survivors of police brutality. Some discussion of high rates of suicide for police officers.

Some brief discussion about "machismo" and male police officers not wanting to be seen as "soft" or weak.

Some mention of drugs and drinking.

Parents need to know that Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer is a documentary about police brutality, the systematic and institutionalized racism that has corrupted the police-community relationship, and their pernicious, harmful, and unfair effects. An early montage of police brutality shows real footage of many different instances of Black people being unjustly harmed and hurt by police, beaten, thrown from cars, thrown to the ground, wrestled, and restrained. Some images show police kneeling on Black men as they say out loud many times, "I can't breathe!" just like George Floyd. Some of the footage also shows different instances of police firing on and shooting their guns at Black people who have their hands up, who are running away for their lives, or who are on the ground helplessly. The documentary affirms and gives voice to why so many Black people and Black communities (and other people and communities of color) are terrified of police. Originally released in 2017, this documentary strikes a hopeful tone, offering some instances of police and therapists and teachers who each work to help change how people feel about police and how police feel about the communities they serve. This film highlights many stories of police brutality, racial profiling, and unjust treatment. Part of the message of the film is to teach and spread love as an acronym: "L" stands for "Learning about people and communities," "O" stands for "Opening our hearts and being empathic," "V" stands for "Volunteering to be part of the solution," and "E" stands for "Empowering others." No strong language, but lots of instances of violence. Some discussion of high rates of suicide for police officers and how they aren't encouraged to see therapists, talk about their feelings, or show any weakness.

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