I think there are several messages, most of which, I believe, all of us can relate to in some way. I know it's got a lot of young Black people thinking and talking where I live.
It's really about the impact that systemic racism has on Black and white people. The typical Black family struggles, but with a twist. Shows how Fathers and mothers have to teach their children how to survive while living Black. Making choices to do whatever is necessary to support those that we love. It's not about Black people being perfect or victims, but that we are human and resilient and persistent in our quest for social justice.
Black love does exist between a Black man and Black woman. It showed how violence caused by the police and Black people, impacts our communities, particularly our children who witness it. The constant battle between the police--white and Black--who are trained to be suspicious of and ready to use violence against anyone who is Black, no matter their gender or their age. There were scenes that reminded me of several Black people that were killed recently by police.
Cultural appropriation by white people who feel entitled and privileged to be and do as they please. The migration of Black people out of the Black community into predominantly white communities, as a way of escaping once they have higher education and professional jobs.
Interracial relationships was also addressed. How Black owned businesses suffer due to integration. A Walmart moving nearby making it extremely difficult for small Black businesses to compete.
How integration and schools of choice have impacted Black people's thinking and divided the Black community in terms of where children go to get a "better" education and where they go to just learn things that are harmful to them and ultimately the communities they live in.
The systemic racism has a negative impact on Black people and white people--it does what it was intended to do--divides us psychologically and emotionally, and causing many Black people to feel that they have to live double lives--be "quiet" and don't fit the stereotype about Black people when around white people; be Black when they are around their own people (dissociative identity disorder).
Ogoun, tell me this, although you may not want to see the movie because you think we already live its plot (and I don't deny that may be true), but do you think by going anyway will, at least, support the Black director and cast?