This documentary is about a demonstration that was held on Jan. 7, 2008, to protest the killing of Oscar Grant. The protest eventually turned violent, with the destruction of businesses and private property by what the San Francisco Gate labeled a "roving mob." You can see that sort of anger bubbling beneath the surface in this video, which captures impassioned pleas by community organizers and signs with messages like "Danger: Police in Area." But you don't actually see where the protest turned from peaceful to dangerous.

The identity of Grant's killer is not in dispute. The 22-year-old black man was shot at point-blank range on an Oakland BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) platform by Officer Johannes Mehserle on New Year's Day. Amateur videographers captured the incident from multiple angles. (If you have the stomach for it, you can watch a KTVU report that shows some of the footage.) Police say Grant was unarmed. Experts who have analyzed the videos have drawn different conclusions about what exactly happened. Mehserle may have intended to Tase Grant and accidentally drew his service weapon instead. One expert said the video "looks like an execution."

The documentary is hosted by Cheo Tyehimba, a media consultant for the 2025 Campaign for Black Men and Boys; you can view the group's Website here. Tyehimba interviews several community leaders, like KPFA host Greg Bridges and activist Greg Hodge, asking them what black men must do to "change the game" in the area of justice.

This is a well-intentioned documentary with some harsh truths and an ultimately uplifting message, but you can't help feeling it somewhat misrepresents the event it's covering. The protestors' anger is real. Why not show it?