#AmeriCAN is a short film andPSA that comes in response to events that have divided the country over

#AmeriCAN is a short film andPSA that comes in response to events that have divided the country over raciallines. With the influx of violence against black males in America over the pastfew years, the piece strives to offer a unique perspective in examining thevalue of lives of the country’s citizens. The intention of the message, “all livesmatter,” is to pull people together from both sides of the disparity andinspire the kind of empathy and mutual understanding necessary to promotemeaningful discourse and domestic reconciliation.  The film is directed and written by NateParker from a story by James Lopez, producer of the project. Grammy nominatedartist J. Cole’s song Be Free is featured. #AmeriCAN is NOW live! WATCH here: http://youtu.be/5HtCfm7SKbU “We live in a countrywhere the amount of melanin in one’s skin has a direct effect on the safety,perceived humanity, life expectancy and educational outcomes of its citizens.In a land of unprecedented wealth and supposed opportunity, how is thispossible? The truth is, there are two Americas. There is one America where lawenforcement is conditioned to protect and serve its citizens. Where mediaimagery reflects, reinforces and normalizes the quiet infrastructure of whitesupremacy and privilege. Where understanding America’s history of racialviolence and inequality is unnecessary amidst the luxury of indifference. Wherethe unjust destruction of innocent life is met with sweeping response andimmediate consequence. Where the judicial system stands by its mantra ofinnocent until proven guilty, giving life to policies that ensure fairness,freedom and the pursuit of happiness. And then there is the other America… Thisis the America where law enforcement is conditioned to distrust and terrorizeits citizens. Where media imagery reflects and reinforces the pervasivepresumption of black inferiority, broadcasting notions of black (in) humanityabroad. One where understanding America’s history of racial violence andinequality has become the life-blood of social, economic, cultural,psychological and physical survival. Where the judicial system’s mantra remainsguilty until proven innocent. Where American citizens are criminalized atexponentially expanding rates, resulting in the robbing of black communities,cyclical disfranchisement and generationalslave labor made manifest today in the prison industrial complex (see the 13thamendment). There is a divide in America. Not one of Democrats andRepublicans, but a divide of the ugliest kind. One that survives on ignoranceand thrives on indifference. One that threatens this generation and everygeneration in this country to come.” Continue reading Nate Parker’s op-ed onTavis Smiley’s website: http://to.pbs.org/1qAphf7 “The only thingworse than the ever-growing epidemic of murdered black youth in America, is thelack of empathy expressed by many of our country’s citizens. In developing thisproject, our goal was to create a piece of media that would offer a relatableperspective to all who watched it. It is my hope this film promotes sustainablediscourse and serves as a conduit for empathy, healing and change.”Director Nate Parker discusses his motivations behind making #AmeriCAN: http://bit.ly/1G73WEa via The Root -- source link

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