I conceived this project during the pandemic, when many Black people in America intensely felt the weight of systemic racism, following the killing of Eric Garner. I thought about the common talking points that were circulating in response to protestors, and the contempt many individuals felt towards them. I’ve come to realize many people, especially those in positions of power and privilege, often condemn the symptoms and responses to racism, but not the disease itself.
The inciting incident in this story arose from a similar tumultuous experience I had in middle school, with an adult who said something offensive to me. As a child, I didn’t have the courage or language to confront them. The young students in this film stand up for themselves in a courageous way, while galvanizing support from their peers and teacher allies. This film is meaningful to me because it’s about young Black kids standing up to an oppressive force in their school system, and reclaiming their power.
Dee doesn’t feel comfortable telling her principal that her white teacher called her a racist remark out of fear they won’t believe her. We explore the polarity of revenge and how those wronged often have different attitudes towards it. The rabbit becomes a point of contention between Dee and Trey –– as Dee thinks just kidnapping her teacher’s pet is sufficient, until she learns Trey has more radical plans.
In the midst of these relationship chasms, Dee is still coming to terms with her queer identity. She is forced to confront it when her close friend Jayda professes she has romantic feelings for her. Despite the characters enduring this traumatic experience, I felt it was important to showcase black joy, queer love, and a sense of restorative justice for these kids, and audiences alike. My aim is to leave audiences with a sense of hope, exhilaration, and a feeling they can overcome any circumstance through this film.