“Some of the film’s most compelling moments came when the film looked at the personal lives of the interrupters and how it intertwines with their work. In Ameena’s instance, this included her daughter’s birthday party at a rollerskating rink (where she invites the youth she mentors to no avail), prayer at the mosque where her husband is the imam, and participation of mosque members in her community outreach work. Through these scenes, the film quietly profiles the social embedded-ness and commitment of American Muslims in their communities.” I found this quote especially significant given a recent article by a white American Muslim that, while having good intentions, falls into the same liberal tendency of Black victimization when talking about crime. My husband and I have been having lengthy discussions about post civil rights rhetoric and liberalism and how so much of it has disempowered the Black American community. If you blame the system or social structures without finding ways to empower people, you leave them hopeless. This documentary offers a spark of hope. Importantly, it shows how Black American activists are doing something, rather than waiting for policy makers to create opportunities. Okay, let me be quiet until I watch the documentary. I was so excited about it after hearing about it on NPR.
