The murder of George Floyd by a police officer in the United States has created a real movement of revolt. Among the African-American community of course, but also around the world who have been outraged by police violence and pervasive racism. The JustFocus team was really touched by the many demonstrations that took place in tribute to this man, who died on May 25. That's why we made this joint article gathering 4 series or episodes of series highlighting the racism still present in the United States.
How to Get Away with Murder
Synopsis: Professor of criminal law and renowned lawyer, Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) offered the opportunity to some of her students to work for her firm. However, they end up being involved in a murder case themselves. After six years of murder and relentless trials, How to Get Away with Murder has just ended in the United States. It's a series that wants to be inclusive, in many ways. The heroine herself is African-American and pan-sexual, a little-known sexual orientation often confused with bisexuality. Thus, these characters are from all walks of life and bring a real effect of reality to the series. What we can criticize him, however, is to have a narrative sometimes too complex to follow. The suspense is nevertheless always there, each season multiplying the twists. In the end, all the elements always manage to fit into each other. It was time, however, for the series to stop, so as not to become too redundant. Both for the evolution of the characters, and for its plots. We can, in any case, salute the performance of Viola Davis, breathtaking in the role of the complex character of Annalise Keating. Because of its inclusiveness and popularity, How to Get Away with Murder is indeed a contribution to the fight against racism. The heroine herself defends, on several occasions, black Americans. She takes their stories to heart all the more, as she had to struggle more than anyone else, as an African-American woman. In addition, the Governor is doing everything she can to jeopardize Annalise's legal clinic initiative. The death of Nate Lahey Sr., meanwhile, occurred during his transfer. Moreover, it takes place under the supervision of two prison guards, shortly after the victory of his trial.
Self-Made: Based on the Life of Madam C. J. Walker
The synopsis: The mini-series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker consists of 4 episodes of about an hour each. It is inspired by a true story, that of Madam C.J. Walker played by Octavia Spencer. She was part of the first post-segregation generation in the United States and became the first African-American woman millionaire in the United States. This work, in addition to being inspiring, makes us travel through time. So let's go to the United States in the 1860s, a few years after the abolition of slavery. Sarah Breedlove aka Madam C.J. Walker remarried, after being widowed at only 20 years old, to a certain Charles Joseph Walker. In the series, she rediscovers the beauty of life through the art of taking care of her hair. Not always easy at the time, since no product was intended for frizzy hair. Except those from Addie Munroe, a character inspired by Annie Malone. Competition then arises between the hair products created by Madam C.J. Walker and those at Addie's. The staging of the first episode is also very focused on this battle of customers since it is illustrated by a ring and two boxers: Addie and C.J. Many historical references are made in the series and especially around Mr. Rockefeller, the first billionaire of the contemporary era. It is part of the American myth of self-made men. He is a real inspiration for the businesswoman and she ends up meeting him thanks to his success. The title Self-Made therefore most certainly refers to its successful entrepreneurs. This series highlights topics that are still, unfortunately, topical: racism and sexism. Racism is illustrated in two distinct ways. First, by the domination that white men think they have over black people. One scene, particularly striking, highlights the future businessman of Madam C.J. Walker. named after Freeman Ransom. He was, before being hired by the businesswoman, a porter in a railway station. A white man accuses him of damaging his suitcase in an odious tone while Ransom claims to have put the suitcase delicately. An unfounded accusation that derives from racist insults. The other way to highlight racism is by differentiating between mixed-race and black people throughout the series. Addie herself, mixed-race in the series, treats Madam C.J. Walker with disdain especially because she is black. As for sexism, it remains a scourge in our society today. It is staged by the contempt of financial investors when they realize that the boss is a woman. A series that sadly reflects problems still very present in our society.
Station 19: episode 10 – season 3
The synopsis: Episode 10 of season 3 of Station 19, the spin-off of Grey's anatomy is particularly telling about the condition of people of color in the United States. In this series, we can follow Ben Warren (former surgeon and ex-anesthesiologist in Grey's anatomy) evolve within the fire station station 19 in Seattle. We quickly get attached to the characters who each have their flaws and their stories. The episode in question opens with a post-traumatic reunion following the death of Vasquez (the station's newest firefighter). The captain tells the team that Dr. Lewis (a psychologist with a strong character, specialized for firefighters) will speak with each of them to prevent a possible trauma. It is on this occasion that we can see Ben Warren confide in this psychologist. She asks, "When have you been most angry ?" Jaw clenched, eyes full of flashes, he tells as we see the scene unfold before our eyes. Ben can be seen parking on the side after being followed by a police car, sirens at full volume. The policeman is Caucasian, one hand carried to his weapon when he asks in an authoritarian tone when he arrives near the car: "leave your hands on the wheel! ". Ben replies almost calmly at once: "They are. Was I going too fast? " But the policeman does not let him finish by ordering him again "your hands!" Ben tries to justify himself several times: "My name is Ben Warren and I'm a firefighter". But the policeman doesn't want to hear anything, he asks him to get out of the car and kneel, face against the ground. He ends up doing it even though he hasn't done anything. You can see the anger in his eyes, but he remains calm. He then asks her shouting his papers while he is on the ground defenseless. He looks at her papers and then ends up telling her with a hateful look that her taillight is broken. The policeman leaves on his side, and Ben, humiliated, lets out his anger: "I'm not just a firefighter. I am a surgeon. I am a husband. I am a human being! I am a human being and you made me lie down at your feet." The scene really brings us back to the current climate of what's happening in the United States right now. People of color who are humiliated for fear of being killed. The discrimination they face is highlighted in this episode. We later understand that Ben's wife is not only worried because he is a firefighter, but she is also worried because he is black. There is a deep sense of injustice emerging from this episode.
Brooklyn Nine Nine : Episode 16 – Season 4
Brooklyn Nine Nine is an American television series set in a police station. The one in Brooklyn, post 99. It is a choral comedy, with several main characters, including Jake Peralta, Amy Santiago or Lieutenant Terry Jeffords and Captain Raymond Holt. The investigations are solved over one or two episodes and almost always in a humorous tone, with lightness. Each character has its very particular character, so we get attached to it very quickly. In addition to police investigations, we see a real team spirit, mutual aid that reminds us of a group of friends who do the 400 shots together. Adventures, love stories, family problems… : everything is there. In episode 16 of season 4, named Meuh-Meuh, we even encounter a social problem that persists. Ordinary racism. Terry Jeffords, the lieutenant of the police station, is an American with black skin. He is forced to go in the middle of the night in search of his daughter's cuddly toy, fallen from the car a few hours earlier. During his nocturnal quest, he finds himself facing a policeman, white, who raises his voice very quickly. Jeffords tries to explain that he is also a police officer and that he just came to get his daughter's cuddly toy. The policeman does not even let him finish his sentence and handcuffs him violently. For no reason. The next day, angry, Terry decides to go talk to the policeman who simply apologizes because if he had known he was a police officer, he would not have treated him like this. He then recognizes his deep racism. The lieutenant decides to file a complaint but his superior, Captain Holt, himself African-American, advises against him, "for his own good", for fear of the harm he could have. The episode represents the daily lives of thousands of people around the world, arrested simply for their skin color. What follows is the fear of denouncing these crimes and insults. Even if the captain changes his mind during the episode and the lieutenant follows through on his complaint, we feel the consequences of this act. The lieutenant had applied to work at the town hall, his request is refused a few days after his complaint. Racism is mentioned several times in the series, especially when it tells us how the captain managed to climb the ladder despite discrimination on his physique. The cast of the series also made a donation of $ 100,000 to an association during the riots for George Floyd. A touching gesture and in agreement with the characters that the actors interpret. Although the subject is less taboo than before, racism and police violence are still very much present. The death of George Floyd proves once again what movies and series have been denouncing for years. Article written by Emilie Gille, Elya, David Duchêne and Barbara Silvera-Sonigo
