(upbeat jazz music)
(ominous orchestral music) (police siren)
- [Gangster] Hey, look out, it's a copper!
- Hey, why's you worried about them?
They ain't worried about you, man.
Fuck is you worried about them?
Till you get this money, man,
fuck you worry about them, fool, dang.
- But the police hit up my man, fool.
(scoffs)
- Give a fuck about no police, man.
(cocking gun) You scared?
Huh? Wassup?
You scared?
I'll take you to church, give a damn
about no motherfuckin' (cocks gun) police, nigga.
Scared ass motherfucker, man.
C'mon, ya'll.
C'mon!
It's fuckin' money, ho.
(pensive percussive music)
(train whistle blowing)
(pensive piano music)
(hopeful piano music)
(dark synth music)
- What is in his pockets?
(patting down pockets)
- Man, he broke.
- I ain't got no money.
My mom left me home with no food
so I spent my last $2 on this coney.
- Shoulda known yo punk ass ain't had no money.
That's too bad for you.
You gonna have to stomp that coney.
- What?
- Put the coney in the bag.
Put it on the ground, and stomp that motherfucker.
- Now! (slapping fence)
(dark drum beat)
(gunshot)
- [Newscaster] Chief Wendingbird reporting live
on the scene of possible gunshots fired.
I'm here with Ted Gardner, who has more details
about what he heard.
- [Ted Gardner] See, I was in the kitchen cooking.
There was a guy on my porch with a gun.
Called 911, and still ain't here (gunshots firing).
Called 911 again.
Still ain't here (car tires screeching).
Ya'll beat them here.
Now, if I take matters in my own hands,
and kill one of these mother(beep),
then I'm gonna be wrong, hon.
- [Newscaster] I understand.
Well, you guys heard it live.
A 20-year-old man was shot down today
at a local liquor store by a police officer.
The man was conducting out an investigation
and refused to comply with orders.
When he reached for his nine millimeter handgun,
that's- (turns off TV)
(phone vibrating)
- (signs) Oh, hello Regine.
(heavy breathing)
- Yo, jackpot!
Talley and Twine.
Shit is nice.
Shit, he's got a gold one?
Shits is nice.
(pouring drink)
(ominous orchestra music)
(heavy door shutting)
You heard it?
Thought nobody was here.
- So did I.
What was the gun for?
- It better than masks.
Besides, you scared he's here.
- I ain't trying to hurt nobody.
- Fuck you.
I'm give no fuck about hurtin' no person.
- We gotta get outta here.
- Hey.
(gunshot)
- Get down!
Don't move.
Here's your sister.
Sit down.
Okay.
(gunshots)
It's someone shooting.
We at 19332 Asbury Park (gunshots firing).
I don't know.
But it sounds like they shooting right outside the house.
It's just me and my kids, and we scared.
Okay.
(gunshots)
Okay.
(muttering)
- Do you think we gonna die, mom?
- No, not tonight, baby.
We just gotta sit tight.
The police are on their way.
(woman yelling)
(car tires screeching)
- (clearing throat) Uh, ma'am, we got a call
about a disturbance.
- Nice of ya'll to finally show up.
- Excuse me, ma'am?
- I've been up all night.
Sittin' on the floor with my babies and a butcher knife
telling them that the police was gonna come help us.
After a few hours, though, we all realized
I was lying.
But, by the end,
whoever had been doin' the shootin' was long gone.
Probably somewhere getting the sleep they had stole from us.
- [Male Cop] So-
- And then after I gave my 14-year-old my biggest
and sharpest knife, promising him that I was gonna be okay,
I went and looked on the side of Mr. Tula house,
seen his window was busted up.
I knocked on the door and rang the bell.
But no answer.
I really hoped Mr. Tula was just asleep.
But I seriously gonna doubt it.
Hey, thanks for gracing me with your presence.
- So can you tell us what happened here?
- I heard hammering and then glass breakin'.
Then gunshots.
So I called the police.
Eight hours later, here y'all go.
- [Female Cop] Well, you lucky we showed up.
- Was anyone hurt?
No, no one was hurt.
Just scared half to death.
- (laughing) What's up with the attitude?
- What's up with attitude? - [Female Cop] Yeah.
- This the third shootin' in three weeks
in this neighborhood.
Now y'all seem to find plenty of time
to bother people just mindin' they business.
(Female cop sighs loudly)
Harassin' folks tryin' to get to work
with a broken tail light.
Meanwhile, there's people actually out here hurtin' folks
and y'all can't do nothin'
'cause here ya'll come showin' up two days after the fact.
Am I allowed to be frustrated?
- Well, it looks like it's time for you
to move to a different neighborhood, baby.
- (scoffs) Yeah, but a move take money.
Where I'm supposed to get that?
- Seems to me your yellow ass shoulda
made better decisions in life.
(scoffs)
Man.
Looks like we're done here.
C'mon, let's go check on the neighbors.
(dogs barking) (woman yelling)
(pensive piano music)
- Where's Chicken?
- Man, I don't know.
- Bro!
- What's up, Chicken?
- What up, bro.
- Man, what took you so damn long?
- A nigga gang dumped some orange juice on me.
- (laughs) Damn.
Where's your book bag?
You know we headin' to school, right?
- Bro, if I went back in the house,
my mom woulda beat my ass.
- (laughing) Kenny, my dad, would too.
- What happened to Mr. Tula?
- Hear he got killed last night.
- Aw, for real?
- W-w-was he in the body bag?
- 'Course he was in the body bag.
It's just crazy seein' him get took out like that.
- Well, I heard the gunshots last night.
I could tell they was closer than normal,
but I can't even lie.
The gunshots, they don't faze me no more.
I could tell they was on the block though.
- Man, I thought they was in my crib shootin'.
- Man, shootin' so loud.
- My dad was on the phone yellin' at my mom last night.
So I didn't really hear much of anything.
- How's Sarg doing anyway?
- Sad.
Angry.
Just depending on the day.
You know, he's been all messed up with my mom lately.
It don't help that my sister
didn't wanna take his cars no more.
So of course he's pissed.
- Shit, I'd be pissed too, if my wife left me for a rapper.
- Yeah, but my pop's a soldier.
He'll pull through.
- Yeah, he a soldier for sure.
He stay strapped.
- He ain't the only one.
- Whatchu talkin' about, man?
(sighs) C'mon, dog, why you got that?
We too young to be havin' that, ho.
- Shit, are we to young to die?
I'm saying, bro.
What the fuck you gonna do when they 6' 2", 300 pound
and come creepin' through yo window?
And they come for you, your mom, or your siblings there.
(sighs)
Police aren't showin' up till after all ya'll are dead.
(mumbling)
- C'mon now, what the fuck you doin'?
(unzips backpack) (ominous synth music)
- Just saved your life.
- Thank you, I guess.
Whatchu gonna do for your protection?
- I just get another one.
My uncle got a lot of 'em.
- Ya'll pee now?
(man cries out in pain)
- Stop! Leave him alone!
- Just get outta my face.
(beating with baseball bat) Shit. What, nigga!
Huh? Ho ass.
Say that shit.
Kill yo bitch ass.
Watch who you talk to, you talkative boy.
(dog barking)
- Where you goin', bro?
- I'm out, bro.
- All right.
C'mon.
(bell ringing)
- Thanks Eddie.
Great job.
- I don't know why you smile so hard.
You still a bum.
(class laughs)
- Jimmy, get out.
Go to the office now.
- It's not my fault he look homeless.
(class laughs)
- All right, everyone.
Calm down.
Now, can I get someone to go up to the board
and solve this equation for me?
Mr. Turner.
- Yes?
- Could you go up to the board
and solve this problem for me?
- Ms. Wood, at this time,
I must respectfully decline your offer.
(everyone laughs)
(snoring)
- Omeer.
Could you solve the problem on the board for me, please?
I be sure not to bore you next time Mr. Taylor.
(sighs)
- Thank you Lord, I got just enough
to get these people they money
and put some food in this refrigerator.
Hallelujah.
So you finally decided to come home, huh?
- W-what you doin' here?
L-look, don't start.
I-I was at Roy's, and we was playin' video games,
a-and I fell asleep.
- Really, Ronny?
Because you left here four days ago.
But it's my payday, right?
So that's what brought you back?
- Look, Lyn.
Ain't nobody 'bout to start arguin' with you.
Hey, t-t-that's just petty!
I just need a-a couple of dollars
so I can go take care of some business.
- Business?
Is that what you callin' it now?
Business?
- C-c-can I have some money?
- I don't have any money. (ominous orchestral music)
- Ah, give me some god damn money!
- I don't have any god damn money.
- S-so you lyin', huh?
The good Christian woman is lyin'.
- I'm not lyin'.
That money is for the bills.
Everything in this house is in shut-off notice
since the last time you stole the bill money.
There's nothin' in that refrigerator for them kids to eat.
- I pay it back.
- Ronny, you always say that and you never pay it back.
Think about yo kids.
- Bitch!
(gasping)
I always think about my kids.
- Ronny, don't take that money!
(crying)
- I pay it back.
(sobbing)
- Mom, where you at?
Ma!
- She gone to work, dummy.
- Oh, for real?
(laughs) Watch this.
Hey, ma, where the fuck you at?
- [Lyn] Omeer come in here.
(kids giggle)
- Big dummy.
- What happened?
- It doesn't matter what happened, baby.
Just, just know that God protected me.
- Look-
- And I'm okay.
- Momma, but-
- But Ima need you to help me, okay?
I'm obviously not at my best.
So I need you to get your brothers and sisters
and fix them something to eat.
Make sure they get ready for bed, okay?
There's not much in there, baby.
Just do the best you can (crying).
- I've got you, mom.
- Of course, sure.
- Don't worry.
I get it done, mom.
- I know baby. You always do.
But, look, tomorrow, I'm gonna need you
to help me get them over to your grandmother's house.
Baby, I don't know how much longer the lights
and gas going to be on here.
- Momma, don't worry about that right now.
We figure it out tomorrow.
I really need you to get better.
Just get some rest, okay?
- [Lyn] Okay.
Thank you baby.
- I love you, mom.
- I love you too, baby.
Omeer?
- Yes?
- [Lyn] Quit cussin'.
- Yes ma'am (laughing).
- Did she smack you?
- No, she didn't.
Hey, y'all, get in here real quick.
Listen, momma in there, she ain't feelin'
too good right now.
So just let her get some rest.
Don't go in there asking all them dope questions, all right?
Y'all need anything, just ask me.
- You ain't our daddy.
- Right now, I am yo daddy,
so you gonna listen to me, all right?
- All right.
- Now y'all get in there and do your homework.
(thoughtful piano music)
- Good night, Omeer.
- [Omeer] Good night.
- Good night, Omeer.
- [Omeer] Good night.
(sad piano music)
- Shit!
Eddie, you so smart, but you didn't think to wake me up?
- Was I supposed to wake you up, 'cause I ain't know?
- You ain't know.
But you know I can't afford to be late again.
Damn!
And I gotta work this double tonight
and God knows I don't wanna get a chief a reason
to write me up.
- Can you go to the market some?
- Yeah, I go when I get off.
- You said that last time then you got home
and went straight to sleep.
- Quit naggin' me, boy.
Now, I said I go when I get off,
Dang, I already got too much on my plate.
- Well, I don't want you to drop the plate.
It sounds like we can afford new dishes.
- See (laughing), you just take to those books.
Clearly, you have no future as a comedian.
Let's see (sighing).
That's all I got right now.
Go grab yourself something to eat.
- Have a good day.
- You too, silly.
(door shuts)
(lonesome piano music)
- Tired of this.
Some whore.
She only gives me $2 and just leaves.
Ain't help.
(escalating tense music)
(gun cocks) (gun fires)
(gunshots)
(dog barking)
(knocking on window)
- [Omeer] What up?
- Hey, Omeer, you got your 81 shirt?
- [Omeer] Aw, shit, my bad bro.
I don't even got it.
It's down at Dunnah's house.
- All right, bro.
- Hey, yo, yo, yo, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
- Wassup?
- Can you make sure you got those black shorts for me?
- All right. - All right.
(gunshots) (dog barking)
(knocking on window)
(knocking continues)
- 'Sup, you know I can't have company
this early in the mornin'.
- Hey, Dunnah, I need to borrow your 81 shirt.
And I'm needin' black shorts.
- All right, hold up a few.
I don't got the black shorts right now.
Chicken got 'em.
Make sure to grab me the white Air Ones
when you go over there.
- All right.
(knocking on window)
- Chris.
Do you know you coulda got your ass killed, bro?
- Man, calm down, man.
- The fuck do you want?
- Now, listen, I need them black shorts for school tomorrow.
And Dunnah needin' white Air Ones.
- You do realize it's Saturday, right?
Dumbass.
♪ Ah
♪ Lookin' at my wrist it's perfect timin' ♪
♪ It's perfect timin'
- C'mon, baby!
I ain't got all day to watch you count.
It's all there.
I got that paper bag money,
so you ain't gotta count that shit.
- Eh, buddy.
Shut the fuck up, man, I count everybody money.
Shit.
- Only $200, count faster.
- Look, here, hard ass, take that shit.
Hey, nice doin' business with you!
- I know it is, fat ass.
- It's Fat Cat!
Big eye motherfucker.
Hey, don't come back over her till your nuts drop.
Shit.
♪ Just tryin' to pay the way
♪ You gotta pay to play
♪ My credit industry's always been A-OK ♪
- Wassup, ya'll, wassup?
- Bro, that was Wendi!
Man, listen.
You been in your own little world all weekend.
Look, I know you messed up all about what happened to Eddie.
We all are.
- What happened to him, he put a gun to his head,
that's what happened to him.
- Listen, man, either way that's shit's still fucked up.
We don't know how hard it is to take your own life, man.
(sighs)
Unless we all already dead for real.
- Apparently not.
- I know, right?
- That's not all that's botherin' me.
That's not it.
Ya'll heard about what happened in my house the other day?
- Whatchu mean? What happen?
- I was walkin' home from school,
and walked in the house.
My mom was laid in bed lookin' all beat up and shit.
- Damn.
No, I didn't hear anything about that.
You hear anything about that?
- Well, I was out here dribblin' yesterday
and I saw ya'lls dad come out the house.
He looked as high as a kite. - Fuck!
- He backed all the way on Ms. Will's grass
before he drove down the street half-crazy.
- Damn!
- Yo, what's up with Chicken?
- What you stop runnin' for, fat boy?
- 'Cause he from Asbury Park, our ABP,
he ain't take no ass whuppin'.
(laughing)
- Hey, John, you ain't from Asbury Park.
You from Gilchrist.
So what the fuck is you laughin' at?
(heavy punch)
- Damn! - Damn!
- God, oh!
- Good God, oh!
(heavy punching)
- Yo, that's enough!
- First motherfucker
that touch my little brother getting buried.
- [Boy Beating Up John] Boy, you retard, see you bleed.
- Oh, my god!
Oh, look at him.
- [Boy Beating Up John] It's funny, it's still funny, huh?
Still funny?
Hey, what you-
Let me at 'im, bro!
Let me go!
Let me go, bro!
(intense orchestral music)
Cheap niggers.
(heavy throbbing music)
- Thought he was dead for a minute.
- [Kid] You okay?
- [John] No, I ain't okay.
Why ya'll ain't help me?
- Help? You see the fuck he did to you?
- Why am I still here?
- Is everything okay?
- No, it ain't okay.
Father comes in here with a Greek salad filled
with tomatoes, when good god damn well,
I'm allergic to tomatoes.
Plus, I don't like salad.
You would think after 12 years of marriage,
he would remember that.
I swear, he tryin' to kill me.
Or he got hisself a little girlfriend
and gave me that bitch's salad.
- Wait, so ya'll are beefin' over salad?
- Well, I guess when you say it like that,
it does kind of sound silly, huh? (laughs)
- Yeah, it does.
(sighs)
They probably put the wrong one in the bag.
- Oh, that's what he said.
- Mom, you owe daddy an apology.
- I-I'm not apologizing to that man.
He shoulda checked the bag.
- Ma!
- Okay (sighing).
All right.
Come give me a hug!
I know your dad is so lucky to have you here
to be the voice of reason.
'Cause I sure enough was about
to change the locks on that ass.
- [TV] There is a grandmother with a gun right now.
Until this woman is in police custody
after having fired shots at them.
- Hey, dad.
- [TV] It's really a bizarre story
and it's been unfolding live (indistinct).
This is the ending
to a nearly five-hour barricaded gunman situation.
The shooter?
An 80-year-old grandmother.
Several shots, though, were fired
in this barricaded gunman situation.
- You all right?
- [TV] The 80-year-old woman's grandson is telling us,
"This is one big, big misunderstanding."
(indistinct TV audio)
Grandmother and all of the police involved are okay.
No one was injured.
(whispering)
- Hello?
- Hey, Chris.
- Ma.
- Mom, where's my ice cream?
- Girl, I don't know.
Rick musta ate it.
- You just gonna keep lettin' him eat my stuff.
- Chris, whatever it is, - Mom!
- I'm sure it will be okay. - Mom!
Momma!
- Now is not a good time.
Can I call you back? - Mom!
- Ma- - Ima call you back.
(groans)
What?
- You gonna keep lettin' him eat my stuff?
- Daddy's home.
- [Dana] Hey, baby.
- 'Sup.
Let me holler at you for a minute.
- All right, can you give me a minute?
- Minute?
I ain't got time to be sittin' over here
while you tryin' to play daycare.
You know what the situation is.
I gotta get back to the crib.
Excuse me.
Any more ice cream?
Hers.
- You serious right now, ma?
- Dead serious.
- Mom!
- You'll understand it when you get older.
(sad piano music)
(gunshots)
(piano music continues)
- Good night, Omeer.
(gunshots)
(cocking gun)
(hopeful piano music)
(train running)
(people fighting)
(ice cream truck jingle)
- The whole week has gone.
(determined piano music)
Excuse me.
My name's Omeer.
I was wonderin', were you hiring?
I really need a job.
I need to help my mom out.
- I'm so sorry, baby.
We don't have anything at this time
'cause I have all the help I need.
I pray you find somethin' that's gonna help you
and your mom out.
- I understand.
I appreciate it.
Have a nice day.
- You too, sweetie.
(clippers buzzing)
- Hey, how you doin', love?
- [Omeer] Good.
- You comin' from church or somethin'?
- No, ma'am.
- Okay.
- Oh, are you guys hiring today?
- No, I already got Fudge down there sweepin' up the floor.
I'm sorry, babe.
- All right, don't worry about it.
You guys have a nice day.
- [Alicia The Barber] All right, you do the same, love.
- [Sam The Barber] You too.
- Uh, excuse me.
Um, excuse me.
Do you mind if I pump your gas for you?
- Get away from me, you little thug.
- [Omeer] Sorry.
- Don't you know who I am?
I'm attorney Kristi Glenn.
I'm sick of you, you hooligans always harass me
every time I come to this gas station.
- Sorry, I was- - About to call the police-
- Hey, stop harrassin' my customers!
Get the fuck outta here.
- Yes, I'd like to report a crime.
What gas station is this?
Yeah, s-some little thug was inchin' his way close.
I don't know what he was gonna do.
Matter of fact, I think he was tryin' to rape me.
(heavy bass on car radio)
- Yo, what up.
- Hey, you killin' my mood,
you killin' my mood, young nigger!
- My bad, I'm just out here lookin' for a job.
Are you hirin'?
- I'm always lookin' for some good soldiers.
But I ain't hirin' you.
- Why not?
(scoffs) (turns off radio)
- Listen, man.
See these kids out here?
This hood shit is for sinners, man.
Listen.
I keep 'em out the body bags.
You? You're a good kid, man.
Listen!
You a good kid, man.
These corners ain't for you, man.
So, whatever the fuck you goin' through,
you better get over it, man, 'fore I slap shit out you, man.
For real, nah, go home, I don't wanna hear nothin' else.
(Omeer whines) No, you don't, nigger.
Go get, go home.
I bring you some money later.
Now I better not catch you out here.
Look!
(cocks pistol)
Better not catch you out here, boy.
Not on nobody corner.
Ima fuck you up.
I betta not catch you on no corner.
- All right.
(turns radio back on)
(revving car)
- Knockin' on the door like police or something.
(pounding on door)
- Deonte.
One o' your little knuckleheads at the door.
- All right.
I just know you better not lose.
- Go get the door.
- How you get this video game anyway?
- Deonte got it.
- Deonte ain't got no money.
(people screaming on video game)
You better not be out here stealin' this shit.
(rap music)
- Hey, you remember that time you hit that ball, bro,
you runnin' around the field tryin' to make it,
like you Barry Bonds or somebody.
(laughing)
- Yeah, man.
- Hey, you damn near hit it off the court.
- You was runnin' for your dear life.
- Hell yeah, man.
(laughs)
- Aw, man.
- I knew that was the last time my mom was to see me play.
My pop said if I score, he'd give me a video game.
- Wait, so that's why you pushed my face in the home plate
when you jumped over me?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah! (laughing)
- Miles was so excited, man. - Yeah, man.
- Just kept goin' on and on, man.
All right, so what's up.
Why you here?
- Need your help, man.
Things gettin' real tight around my crib.
- Your pops still usin'?
- Yeah (sighs).
- So how can you even think about sellin' drugs
when your pops is still on 'em?
- I-I don't want to, but I got a lotta people
in the house, man.
The fridge stay empty.
I'm tired of shit bein' cut off.
Can't do that shit no more.
- Damn.
But you was always destined for greatness, man.
Supposed to be a lawyer, or doctor, or something.
- Aw, man, maybe some other day.
But gotta survive today.
- Fuck.
(muffled television)
- I don't even know why we havin' this conversation.
'Cause he not about there be runnin'
around this neighborhood with them old ghetto-ass kids.
- They not ghetto-ass kids to him.
They his friends.
- Look, I don't work 60 hours a week,
pay for this boy to go private school so he can be tainted
by the neighborhood riffraff.
- Okay, so move us to another neighborhood, then, Charles.
Shit. - What are you talkin' about?
This house is bought and paid for.
- Oh, okay.
- Not about to be uprooted 'cause of no damn kids.
- And he ain't about to stop hangin' around his friends
just because you got some stick up yo ass.
Nigger, now leave him the fuck alone!
- Who you talkin' too?
- Don't play with me.
(scoffs)
- Weak ass nigger.
(children crying)
- Omeer.
H-hey Omeer.
Omeer!
- Dad! - Dad!
- [Dad] How cool, what ya'll doin'?
- [Kid] Playin' games.
- [Dad] Uh-huh.
You gettin' big.
How you doin'?
Look at your momma lookin' all good and stuff over there.
Who dat, baby?
I am parched.
What? You want some?
You know what-
- You okay?
- Hey, baby! (laughs nervously)
I missed you while I was outta town (laughs).
I can't wait-
Did you! Omeer!
Omeer!
Come 'ere, boy!
(gunshot)
(ice cream truck jingle) (gunshot)
(gunshot)
- Hey.
- What's goin' on?
- Who he wanna kill?
- His pops, probably.
He beat up his mom again the other day.
Bet he's usin' again.
- Again?
He ever stop?
I got it.
Damn, nigger, what the popster do?
(ominous orchestral music)
You good, bro?
Look, bro.
What happened?
What happened at your house?
Not worth goin' to jail for it.
It wasn't nothin' you could do to stopped it.
What happened wasn't your fault.
Can't blame yourself for that, bro.
Don't put that on yourself.
No, I know you.
It's not your-
- You know, shut the fuck up!
- Oh, shit.
- It's not yo fault.
- How is it not my fault, man? (crying)
I was supposed to be there.
- That's your mom, bro, you gotta protect her
at all times, I get it.
But, you couldn't do shit in that situation.
- If I don't protect her, who will?
- Bro, you was in school, all right?
Fuck you gonna do, drop out and play secret police?
Hey, what shit could have did about what happened?
- Shit ain't gonna happen again.
That motherfucker can't keep puttin' his hands
on my mom.
- So once you pop his ass, then what?
Who gonna take you in?
Khalil goofy ass?
Look at me, O.
Look at me, nigga!
You gotta a lotta shit goin' through here right now,
and I get it.
You goin' through it, we all is.
His parents only together because of him.
Nigga, his mom don't even want him.
All right.
Life's fucked up.
Bein' 14 years old, and the man of the house.
You can't throw your life away
for a piece of shit you call your father, bro.
Yo mom and yo siblings need you.
Needs you, I need you, bro.
And right now, I need you to not kill your pops.
Look.
My pops don't give a fuck about me.
Him only try to fake that shit.
You, my mom, Sidney, and these two idiots?
All I got.
So in killin' him, it mean you killin' me.
You gotta promise me, bro, you not gonna kill your pops.
- I promise.
I won't kill my pops.
You stashin' my piece, now?
- Hell, yeah.
I'm gonna get it back to you.
You just kinda fucked up right now.
No tellin' what you will do.
Livin' the mess that you are.
- Thank you, man.
- ABP for life.
- [Omeer] ABP.
- You all right, O?
- Yeah, I'm all right.
- Chicken got damn sense today, bro.
- Yo, shut your ass, go.
(heavy bass music)
- I gotta pee.
- Take it behind one of these trees here.
- Hey!
Looks good, where ya'll headed?
- Home.
- Ya'll need a ride?
C'mon!
- What?
Like you drivin', this ain't no big wheel.
Sit your little ass back, man.
C'mon.
All right, I'll get on the spot with ya'll.
Ya'll can hop in if ya'll want, man.
- All right, I'm in.
- No, we good, Tag.
- What?
C'mon.
Suit yourself.
Ya'll be safe out here, man.
Okay. Okay.
Fat ass.
- Hey, wait up!
- Bro, don't be gettin' in the car with Birdie and Tag.
You know they always in some shit.
- What's you mean you got me when you get paid, Kenny?
You said the same shit two weeks ago.
Or did you forget?
Look, I'm sittin' here right now tryin'
to go through Sidney's clothes and she don't have nothin'
for summer.
You already know the plant I was at got closed,
and until I can get another job, it's gonna keep on bein'
real tight around here.
Me and the kids just really need you
to step up and be a man for once.
- Damn, Nice.
Gimme two weeks and Ima get you paid.
But you be callin' me every time for this money.
You won't even let me see my kids
and you want me to pay you?
- Nigger, you is a ho liar.
You already know you can come get these kids
anytime you want to without givin' me a dollar.
Matter fact, come get 'em right now.
Come get 'em.
They'll be ready by the time you get here.
- You know I can't do that.
I gotta work every day 'cause you got me on child support.
Don't be mad at me.
This is what you got me on.
- What?
You know what, Kenny?
Fuck you.
Ima figure this shit out like I always do.
Fuck nigger.
(video game sounds)
(sparkly pop music)
- Kenny.
You and Tommy have been playing this game for hours.
Can you please take him to the mall?
He needs some new shoes.
You know football does start this week.
- You know I know when the practice is,
and I'm takin' him.
Look, Beth.
I got you. - Okay.
- C'mon, little fella.
Clock out.
- Tommy, make sure you thank Kenny for the new shoes.
- Thank you, Mr. Kenny.
- C'mon, you can lock up.
- Ya'll know Birdie and Tag got killed?
- No, for real?
What happened?
- They went to the gas station.
Birdie had got into a fight.
Kid pulled a gun and killed both of them.
- Shit. - Damn, man.
Thought of all we lose, first Harold, then Michelle,
then Sully, then Chad.
Now Birdie and Tag?
Aw, fuck.
- I'm so sick of goin' to funerals, bro.
- Me too.
- It's home at the end of this bend,
so I'll catch ya'll later.
- All right, bro, be careful.
- All right.
- Hi. - Hi.
- You have your, uh, payment slip?
- Payment slip?
What's that?
- Don't worry about it.
Let's see.
(sighs) What's your account?
- I-I don't know.
- Okay. Your address?
- 19377 Asbury Park.
- Okay.
And name on the account?
- My mom.
- (laughs) No, sweetheart.
What's her name?
- Oh, my bad.
Lyn Taylor.
- Yep. Okay.
- Could you tell me how much the water bill is?
- Mm-hmm. Yep.
Oh, there she is.
It looks like it's already turned off.
It's gonna be $347 to get it back on.
- Here's $600.
- You wanna put all of this on the water bill?
- Yeah, just put it all on there
so it won't be as much next time.
- (laughs) Smart.
Okay, you're all set.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Have a good day.
- You too.
- Next in line!
Hi.
(car revving)
- Hey! You!
Where you running, huh?
What the fuck is you runnin' for?
Huh?
- I was just- - Where you goin'?
- I was just headin' to school, sir.
I-I promise.
I don't have any weapons or drugs on me.
- Hey, look.
Anytime a little nigger like you say they ain't got
no weapons or drugs on 'em,
that's exactly what they got on 'em,
and be the drug dealer in the neighborhood.
Now, what you slingin' out here, huh?
- Not slingin' anything, sir.
- You got rocks, pills?
You got somethin' in here.
Take this shit off.
Fuckin' tryin' to snatch it from me.
Little bastard.
You smoke crack, don't you?
- No, no.
- [Officer Gaston] Yes, the fuck you do.
- [Omeer] I don't do none of that stuff.
- You do something.
You out here doin' somethin' out here,
runnin' like you on the god damn track team.
Soon as you seen my lights, you wanna start runnin' faster.
I know you little bastards be out here doin'.
What is all this bullshit in here?
- Yo, Sarg, what's this about, man?
- (scoffs) This little nigger run rocks, believe that?
- You find anything?
- Nah, not yet, but trust me, he got somethin' in here.
- All right, that's cool.
I'll take it from here.
- Excuse me?
- Sarg, can I holler at you real quick?
- This ain't no motherfuckin' free ride.
Don't fuckin' move.
I swear, don't fuckin' move!
Tell me, useless little bastard got somethin',
now I seen this little motherfucker before, I'm tellin' you.
- Listen, man.
You done already searched the little nigger illegally.
Did you find anything yet?
- No.
- So, listen man, lemme just holler at him
and see what I can get from him.
- Bro, I'm tellin' you, he got somethin'
in this motherfuckin' bag.
- Let me holler at him and-
- If it ain't in his bag, it's under his fuckin' balls,
or in his ass!
- Sarg, sarg, (laughing), lemme yell at him, man.
- Go ahead, man, try it your way, man.
- All right, okay, all right. - But I'm tellin' you,
he got somethin' in here.
- Fuckin' nigger.
- [Officer Gaston] The fuck is you goin' to,
the laundromat? - Yo man, I'm sorry man.
My partner, he get a little crazy at times,
you know what I'm sayin'?
But you all right?
- [Officer Gaston] That's probably
where he keep his shit at.
- I have the right to remain silent.
- C'mon, man, listen. (Officer Gaston muttering)
- Please, just don't shoot me.
- Shoot you?
C'mon man, put your hands down, man.
It ain't even like that, man.
Listen, man, he already-
- [Officer Gaston] Got your little ass.
- He ready to take you to jail, man.
I'm just tryin' to get whatever I can from you, man.
What's your name?
- I have the right to remain silent.
- I understand all that, man. (Officer Gaston yelling)
Gimme a name, man. (Officer Gaston yelling)
What's your name, bro?
What's your name?
You wanna go to jail?
Is that what you wanna do? (Officer Gaston muttering)
Gimme a name, man.
- I have the right to remain silent.
- C'mon man, give me a name, anything, man.
Anything, please, I'm tryin' to save you, man.
- Aw, see, this is the bullshit right here.
He talkin' about his rights (laughs).
Show him his motherfuckin' rights.
- I understand all that man- - All right, time is up,
time is up! - But what's your name?
- I don't wanna hear none o' that shit.
- C'mon, man.
- You got rights to remain fuckin' silent.
That's your right.
Put your hands behind your fuckin' back.
Go open the car, man.
Fuck this shit.
You wanna stand out here
and tell us your motherfuckin' rights?
You ain't got no god damn rights.
Your rights is to do what the fuck I tell you to do
when the fuck I tell you to do it, all right?
Now get the fuck in the back of the car.
Sick o' ya'll little niggers.
Let that be a lesson!
New sheriff in town.
Keep these bastards in school.
God dammnit, or I will!
(ominous synth music)
(key clicking)
- All right, little nigger.
Check out time.
Let's go.
Ms. Taylor, let me be the first
to apologize for the mix-up.
Omeer turns out to be a fine young man.
Didn't talk back.
Did everything we asked him to do.
You did a great job with him.
Now the truth, his ticket's gonna be $250.
Please, keep Omeer in school- - Get your ass over here.
- during school hours.
We can't have him roam the streets.
The last thing we want is to mistake this fine young man
for a thug.
(crumples paper) - Are we done?
- You all right?
Is everything all right at home?
- As if your ass cares.
Let's go. (slapping Omeer's head)
- All right, son, stay out of trouble.
Little nigger.
- Seriously?
I just went back to work after missin' the last few days,
and I gotta leave early (slams table) to come get you
from jail? (beating Omeer)
This don't make no doggone sense!
I told you- - [Omeer] I'm sorry!
- [Lyn] About bein' in them streets!
(Omeer cries out in pain)
- [Omeer] Momma!
- [Lyn] What is wrong with you?
- [Omeer] Sorry!
(heavy slamming sound) (Lyn walks away)
- [Rece] Yo, Omeer.
Get up.
(inhaling deeply)
- What time is it?
- It's time for you to get your ass up, bro.
You got Professor Moss in five minutes.
- Fuck, sociology.
(sighs) Really not in the mood for that shit today.
- Oh, better stop letting that nightlife get the better
of you, man.
- I can't.
I've got mouths to feed.
I'm up.
I'll see you over there.
- The socioeconomic climate of institutionalized racism
was created by design in order to keep those in power,
in power.
Now, every once in a while, commoner manages
to break through that 1% border of wealth.
The expectation is typically to keep those
in poverty that way, impoverished.
And some say the reason that they are paralyzed is
because of racism, oppression.
Let's review the material.
White privilege is a level of societal advantage.
It has basically become, become the norm in America.
Okay, you usually don't know it's there (sighs)
unless it's suddenly taken away from you
or if you've never had it before in the first place.
Would you agree with that, Mr. Taylor?
(laughing) I apologize for being so monotonous
that I can't keep your attention, Mr. Taylor,
but, but your tuition allows me the privilege
of asking you this question again.
- Um, I don't know, Professor Moss.
- Are you sure about that?
Your last essay suggests otherwise.
Mr. Taylor, do me a favor and cut down
on the nightly activities.
(class laughs)
Rece?
- I don't really think there are any privileges
to being white.
I mean, we're all equal, right?
This is America, not some, some third world country.
- Mm-hmm.
Do we have a counter argument?
- I totally agree with the guy back there.
I think that this is all BS.
I grew up in a double-wide trailer.
No one gave me anything,
and the cops were always on my ass.
They were always giving me and my buddies a hard time.
- Okay.
So, you don't believe that it's white privilege.
You think it's class privilege?
Ms. Khwani?
- He's completely wrong.
- [Professor Moss] Um, how so?
- Because although the police look
at you a certain way based on what area you grew up in,
the way you put on a suit,
or when you don't tell someone where you're from,
then that white privilege kicks right back in.
Regardless of where I go, I can't shed the blackness
in my skin, so it's continually used against me.
So therefore white privilege is definitely real.
- Mm-hmm.
Mrs. Featherstone, what do you have for us?
- A lot of white people are too privileged
to understand white privilege.
It's not about actual privilege of class but of color.
For example, I have a Muslim roommate,
and she tells me stories about how she's followed
around stores and how she feels uncomfortable
leaving her home in Deerborne.
I'm so sorry that anybody has to feel that way.
I can't relate to it, and for that reason,
I'm white privileged.
It doesn't mean that I act that way
or that I even want to have it, it's just there.
That's what white people don't understand.
- Okay (laughs).
Xavier, you're biracial, correct?
- Yes, sir.
- [Professor Moss] Okay, this should be interesting.
(laughs) Go ahead.
- White people are privileged, very privileged.
And yeah, privilege has a lot to do
with class, skin color, and appearance in general,
but for the most part, white people aren't educated
about their privilege because they'll never understand
what it's like to be Black, Asian, Middle Eastern,
or a minority, so to speak.
And most of them are usually oblivious to someone tryin'
to educate them on what it is.
But you see, being biracial, it's like I grew up
at a crossroads because in society I'm viewed as Black,
so it's like I see privilege, but I feel oppression.
And also in society, there's a privilege totem pole
that holds the white man at the top,
and the white woman right underneath.
But white privilege is so much more than totem poles
and not being followed around in stores.
It's access to opportunities without any effort given.
It's freedom of expression.
Hell, it's freedom of assumption.
And the worse one is the emulation
of Black culture credited as white innovation.
But white people won't ever be able to feel that,
'cause they'll never know what it's like
to live in our shoes.
- Okay (laughs).
- [Mrs. Featherstone] I have white family that
snatches expensive stuff all the time clearly
because they don't look suspicious.
I'm just saying my Black friends could never do that.
- (laughs derisively) Well, maybe your homies
should work on not looking so suspicious too?
(shocked murmur) - [Xavier] What?
- [Mrs. Featherstone] Okay. - Wow.
And on that note, I would have to say
that I think our time is up,
and I will see you guys next week.
- [Rece] Hey, O!
- What's goin' on, bro?
- Nothin', man.
About to get a head start on the weekend.
What was up with you in class today, man?
You seemed kinda out of it.
- It's Professor Moss, man.
He is always trying to put somebody on the spot.
I mean that whole conversation was pointless.
- Come on, that, that little debate?
What, that was lightweight.
- (scoffs) Maybe to you.
That white privilege shit is real, bro.
- Okay, man, okay.
A-and what makes you say that?
- You know how concise I have to be
when I go to the suburbs just to go to a local store,
to make it look like I'm not stealing,
to make it look like I'm not doing anything wrong?
- Damn, I, I-I really never thought about that.
- The fact that you don't have to think about it like that
is privilege in itself.
Let me ask you a question.
What's the first thought that goes through your mind
when the police drove up on you.
- Hope I don't get a ticket.
(sighs)
- I hope that I make it home alive.
Talk to you later.
What up, what up, what up!
- What's up, Chick? - How you doin'?
- Good.
- Dunnah.
- Looks good, college boy.
- Hey! I expected to see these two fools out here,
but you supposed to be in Texas preparing for the Heisman.
I was just watching ESPN the other day.
They was talking about him, man.
The fuck you doin' here?
Chris, you good?
(sad piano music)
- Pops got diagnosed with cancer.
- Damn.
- He got so sick.
He couldn't work, couldn't work
and couldn't pay for his medicine.
So I had to come home and help him out.
- Nah, they got like some, some state assistance.
You ain't tried to get them state assistance?
- [Chris] Yeah, we tried it.
- So, what happened?
- They keep given us the run around,
talking about paperwork this, and paperwork that,
that they get back to us after they review it.
- [Omeer] Fuck, man.
- They reviewin' paperwork.
My pops in here dyin'.
- Man, oh, man.
Shit gonna be all right though.
Where you working at?
Fuck, man!
Bro, you had a full ride, bro.
One more year and you in the league.
- What was I supposed to do, O?
Let him die?
- I understand, bro.
What do you know?
Look, I'm gonna go holler at mom's,
and I'll, I'll get with ya'll in a minute.
- We can either do Thursday or we can do Saturday.
(door shuts)
Oh, my baby's home.
Let me call you back.
- Hey, ma.
(joyful cry)
(laughing) Hey, ma.
Feels like I ain't seen you forever.
- Well, it feels like forever.
Plus, it's always good to lay eyes on you.
- How's the kids?
(Lyn sighs) Where are the kids?
- Well, Khalil and Chuck are down at Greenfield piece,
playing basketball with Tookie and Tywana
and your sisters are over to your grandmother's.
- Okay. - Not a whole lot
going on here, but we making it.
- Did you get the clothes I sent you?
- Yes (laughing), and I told you to stop.
I need you to focus on you and those grades.
- Ma, I got me.
But I know the kids can be rough sometimes.
So if they give you a problem, the little brats,
let me know. - Okay (laughing).
- Don't worry about it (laughing).
We can handle it.
Welcome home, little nigger (laughing).
Ma, I gotta go.
- Omeer. Omeer!
Omeer!
What's his problem?
- Man, the girls been lovin' me.
All this body (laughing).
- Pull your shirt down, man.
- Maybe I should walk around
so these fool's know not to break into my crib.
- You're a silly man (laughing).
- Dumber than most, man.
- What? I got my CPL.
I'm legit.
- What's wrong with you?
- Yo, little nigger.
Come here!
Come holler at me!
- Nevermind.
- Bro, shoot me to the store real quick.
O!
I said shoot me to the store real quick.
- You got some gas money?
- For that little ass car?
No, sir.
- Well, I guess we walkin', then.
- Shit, you ain't said nothing but a word,
besides it looks like you can use the exercise anyway.
- (laughing) I can use the exercise, fat boy?
- Yeah.
- [Von] There you go.
Have a good day.
- Watch out, bro!
Let go of me.
(mumbling)
- You always playin, man, that's why.
- Always. - Sorry about that.
- [Chicken] Hey, Von.
- Hey, Chicken.
- Where's Vanessa?
- Mindin' her business.
She ain't checkin' for you, Chickens.
- She should be 'cause I got what she want.
- And what's that?
- You know.
- Boy, I kid with you.
- [Omeer] Man, can you go and get what we came here for?
- All right, man.
Hey, ring me up for skittles and ice tea.
- All right.
- [Chicken] Keep the change.
- Oh, thank you!
- [Omeer] Sorry about him.
- You ain't got to apologize for Chicken.
He ain't nothing but a little shit-talking ass teddy bear.
- Hey, but you're gonna put him
on your sister though, right?
- When is he gonna put me on you, college boy?
- Here you go.
(laughing)
- [Chicken] Tell her to call me later.
- [Von] All right.
(indistinct)
- What?
- Hey!
- Whoa, my bad.
- Yeah, see Beeler?
You gotta be in control around here, man.
One slip up, it's game over.
It's a jungle out here.
Get yo ass on the glass.
- Officer, can I ask, why you searching?
- A woman was robbed by two men matching your description
about 20 minutes ago.
- What description was that?
- Two young black males, early 20s.
- Hung up at gunpoint and ran off.
- Does it look like I can run without bein' out of breath?
- (laughing) No, not really, fat boy.
- Officer, these two are regulars here.
They've been here 20 minutes.
They ain't done nothin' wrong.
- Ma'am, we have this under control.
- Yeah, so how about your mind your business
and drop the attitude.
- (scoffs) Drop the attitude? (cop mumbling)
Man, I swear cops just come in the hood
just to mess with people.
There's real criminals out here, robbin' people's houses,
shootin' people left and right.
But nah, you ain't got time for that.
You wanna mess with innocent people
just trying to come buy sweet tea.
- Chill out, Von.
- Yeah, chill out, Von.
- Chill out?
Y'all the ones that need to chill out.
Y'all the ones who came in here trippin'.
Why should I chill out?
- Bitch, 'cause I said so!
(ominous music)
- Come on, man, you ain't gotta talk to her like that.
- Yo, Chick, chill out, man.
- Yeah, you know what?
Yeah, that's too much talkin'.
All this talkin' is obstructing the investigation.
Get on the ground!
- You serious?
- Get on the fuckin' ground!
- Officer, I got my gun-
- Shut the fuck up!
Beeler, control the suspect!
- Just get on the ground and do what he says.
- I been tellin' you man, you can't be nice out here
because of dumb motherfuckers like this that don't listen.
Watch yo back.
Don't ever get caught slippin'.
Get back on this motherfuckin' glass.
Where's you at 30 minutes ago?
- Thought it was 20 minutes ago.
- Be a smartass, don't you?
- Fuck off.
- Gah, gah!
(gunshots) (screaming)
You gonna talk to me?
- What, what you mean?
- Don't let him up.
(Chick groaning) - Oh, get my mom.
(screaming)
(coughing)
Where my mom?
(indistinct)
(sad orchestral music)
- We good.
(rioting)
(tragic orchestral music)
- Where these motherfuckers at?
Where they at? - Whatchu doin'?
Whatchu doin'? - Where they at?
They fuckin' killed my baby! - You need to calm down.
- Aw, fuck that shit!
They fuckin' killed my baby!
- You gonna shoot at the police?
- I don't give a fuck!
They killed my baby! - Whatchu doin'?
- I'm gonna have to kill every fuckin', killed my baby.
- I understand that, but you gotta chill.
- They killed him!
They killed my baby (sobbing).
They killed my baby.
(sobbing)
- Just chill.
Just chill.
(sighs)
- Dunnah.
What's happenin'?
You all right?
- I heard you put some gas in ma's car.
I heard her on the phone with you, said you might forget.
- Man, I-I-I did forget (laughing).
But, man, I ain't worried about that right now.
I'm more concerned about you.
I heard what happened tonight, man.
You all right?
- No, not really.
- Hey, trust me.
I understand man, like, that kinda reminds me
when I was comin' up, I used to run around the neighborhood
with this crew, man (laughing).
We used to call ourselves YBS.
- What that stand for?
- Why bullshit?
- That make no sense.
That start with a W.
- Man, I know, man, but we was young then.
We ain't seeing things all the way through, man.
We was just trying' to find our way, you know?
But my point is in runnin' with that crew, man,
it was like, I was goin' to funerals every other week.
Man, it hurt, man.
You know what I'm saying, losin' friends, and,
and guys who I considered to be like brothers to me,
You know what I'm saying?
Like, I was angry, hurt.
I even thought about lashin' out and doin' some dumb shit.
I mean, despite how I felt, man, I had to do
what was in my best interest to stay on the path,
the right path.
Because I mean, I always knew it was something like,
something greater ahead of me.
I mean, we all make decisions on what we wanna be in life,
but, but it's those decisions that will define you as a man.
You understand me?
Half the cast when I grew up, man,
they didn't even have options like you.
I mean, it was in single parent homes
and went to the local public schools.
Shit, half of 'em don't even have homes.
They was out here hustling,
and doing whatever they had to do to survive.
But when you was born, I stepped up like a man,
married your mother because I was determined
that you wasn't gonna be that type of kid.
And I worked my ass off
because I wanted you to have the best opportunities
so you'll be okay and make it up out of here.
- Why would I wanna get out of here, though?
This is home.
- (laughing) Home?
Man, it's just a house, man.
Look, when you finish school,
I don't want you to come back here.
I'm serious, man.
Look at me.
Look.
Start a new life somewhere else.
I mean, travel. See the world.
Um, I don't care what it is, man,
but just don't come back to the city.
- But why not?
- Why not?
Ask Chicken why not.
My bad, man,
I-I ain't mean for that to come up.
Now, I'm just saying, man,
this life ain't for you, man.
I mean, this place, this city is like a,
like a walless prison.
You know what I'm saying?
The same people that say they gonna protect you,
those usually be the one that kill you.
You got everybody out here fightin' and scratchin', man,
tryin' to get off so they can live a better life.
(sighs)
- What about you?
What's keeping you here?
(grunts)
- You want the truth?
'Cause I don't walk or talk like no people out there.
Look, man, I remember you used to come home
from the private school, right?
You used to be talkin' about all types of stuff, man.
You used words that I ain't even understand.
But every time you do that, man, I was smiling on the inside
because I knew that you were part of their world.
But you was real on the block, but you wasn't made
for these streets.
Look at this.
I wear this shirt and tie every day.
But underneath I'm still a hood nigger,
and any hood nigger whose son is a hood nigger
is a failure as a father.
And that ain't goin' be me.
I promise you that.
(sighs)
Man, lemme go get this gas,
'cause I don't wanna hear yo mother's voice, man.
You know she be complainin'.
I don't want to hear any o' that.
You good?
- Yeah, dad. - I love you, boy.
- I love you too.
- My man.
- [TV] A 23-year-old man was shot down today
at a local liquor store by a police officer.
The man was obstructing a police investigation
and refused to comply with orders.
When he reached for his nine millimeter handgun,
that's when the officer opened fire.
- [Officer Beeler] Quite frankly,
I was in fear for my life.
The suspect was obstructing our investigation which-
(floorboards creaking muffles radio)
(crying)
(water running)
- Came to join me?
- (laughs) No. - Oh.
- I came to put my medicine up.
(phone vibrating)
- Who's that?
- My son.
- Your son?
- Yeah.
- I don't know what's going on with him,
but whatever it is, I'm sure the pops can handle that.
You need to get your hands on this.
(laughing)
- Here you go.
- Yeah, here I go.
Mm-hmm.
(mumbling)
- Hello, it's for Dana Jordan.
Can't talk right now, but if you leave a message
after the tone, I promise I'll give you a call right back.
Talk to you later, bye.
(glass shattering)
- Hey, son.
- Don't touch me.
- What'd you say to me, boy?
- I said don't fuckin' touch me.
- Oh, I see (laughing).
You big now, huh, little nigga?
Well, I'm yo father.
And I'm the man of that house.
- The man?
- Mm-hmm.
- A man provide for his family.
A man protect the women in his life, not beat 'em.
Ain't no man, just a punk ass coward.
- Why, boy, I tell you somethin'!
(yelling)
Oh!
Okay (laughing).
I see.
You big, now, huh?
Go to college.
Get a little pussy on your face.
Now you a man.
Lemme tell you something.
No matter what you do, you ain't shit
'cause I ain't shit.
You my son.
And that in there?
That's gonna always be my bitch.
- Call my mom a bitch again.
I dare you.
Go ahead.
I'll end this shit tonight.
I been watchin' you kill yourself with heroin
for over 10 years.
But your old ass refuse to die.
- Omeer.
- [Omeer] I hate you my whole life.
- Oh, my god! Oh, my god!
Omeer, baby, put the gun down.
- So believe me when I tell you,
I wouldn't mind puttin' a bullet in yo head
and making this world a better place.
- [Lyn] What you doin'?
What are you doin'?
Put the gun down!
- The only reason to stop me pullin' this trigger?
(Lyn yelling) Is the promise
I made a real man that protect me my whole life
like a real father.
And I refuse-
- [Lyn] What are you doin'?
What are you doin'?
Put the gun down!
- to let him down over your sorry ass.
- Omeer, put the god damn gun down!
He doesn't deserve this!
- Why do you cry for him?
He's robbed you,
beat you.
He don't care what happen to you or us.
- Omeer, your father has changed.
He's made his share his of mistakes, but baby, he's changed.
He takes care of me now, Omeer.
He takes care of all of us.
I mean, our refrigerator stays full.
He pays all the bills.
Baby, he's (sobbing), he's doing a good job!
- No, I'm doin' the good job!
(punches father) (Father cries out in pain)
Ever since I was 14, I been payin' the bills.
And since I been gone,
I been sending Khalil money to make sure there's food
in the house every month.
(bitter orchestral music)
Ma, I love you.
I'm over this whole situation.
You can have it.
(sobbing)
- Omeer, I don't know what's gotten into you.
Oh, god.
- I'm tired, ma.
I'm tired of him treating you like you nothin'
when you my everything.
Whatever I am,
it's what you made me.
(lonesome orchestral music)
(sighs)
Fuck!
(restful piano music)
(birds chirping)
(knocking on door)
(crying)
(sobbing)
- Oh, magnificent Father God.
Father, I come to you seeking peace and comfort
on behalf of my sister.
(wailing)
Father, God, I know it was all in your divine plan.
Our flesh is weak and we were not yet ready to let him go.
(screaming)
Father, so I ask that you send my sister a comforter.
Father, wrap your arms of protection around her
and ease her pain.
Father, send her a light in the midst of her darkness.
Father, remind her that you are the peace
that surpasses all understanding,
and all these things I ask in your precious, precious name.
Amen.
(crying)
- What is justice?
- Well, justice is you breaking the law
and then you receive the punishment you deserve.
- Nah, that ain't justice.
That's just what is and isn't legal.
- What's the difference?
- Throughout the history of United States
there's been a lotta messed up stuff
that was considered legal,
like slavery was legal, segregation was legal.
Shoot, the stuff that Trump doin' is
right now is somehow legal.
That don't make any of it right.
Like Rosa Parks refusin' to sit on the back of the bus?
That was considered breaking the law.
So, apparently, you gotta break the law to do us right.
- Excellent point,
although one that most people wouldn't agree
with out loud, they would feel uncomfortable.
But nonetheless, I find that to be true.
- Oh, okay, wait a second.
So you people think it's okay to break the law.
- [Entire Class] You people?
- Um, Mr. Crow, your privilege is showing.
(class laughs)
- [Xavier] He not the only one.
There's a huge difference.
- Okay, expound on that.
- Well, people in power are the ones that make the laws.
And like we discussed last week,
they make the laws that benefit them.
That's why there are so many prisons
and people of color are five times more likely
to get arrested than white people.
It's just access to free labor,
and it's big money in the prison systems.
- Okay, so now the wheels are turning.
Now, if the laws are tilted in favor of those in power,
how do you rectify that problem?
Come on, people.
We've just identified a major problem in our country.
How do we resolve it?
How, how do we change an unjust law
and build it into a fair society?
- Protesting, rallying.
- No, rallying won't help.
Police kill people all the time and get off for it because,
well, many of the people determining innocence
or guilt are also racist.
They're not going to hold these cops accountable.
They're found innocent of murder and they call it justice
when they're actually just justifying their racist actions.
Ultimately, nothing changes.
(sighs)
- So, what are we saying?
That there's no help?
That the oppressed is going to forever remain oppressed?
Come on.
Is this what you're telling me?
Talk.
- Okay, let me, let me educate you guys.
- [Professor Moss] Please do, Mr. Crow.
Ha, the floor's open.
Go ahead.
- My dad founded a tech company.
So, I grew up in a million dollar home.
My friends and family,
we don't, we don't care about what goes on in the ghetto.
It doesn't, it doesn't affect us.
We don't watch BET.
We don't share Black Lives Matter tweets
and rallies and protests.
And honestly, the only time I've made aware of
even half the issues and things
that you guys are bitching about is here in class.
- Dude.
- And if you wanna get our attention,
affect the profit margins.
- Okay.
Now, (sighs) as distastefully as Jim presented his argument,
there was jewels dropped in that impudent, uh, rant.
And in case you missed it,
what he said is if poor people came together and boycotted,
instead of always finding a problem that they could use
to say that they were the weakest link,
they could get a lot done.
For many, that, that inconvenience of exchange
for a brief encounter of solidarity is
probably asking way too much.
Basically, bitching and moaning about it is not going
to help, right?
Exactly.
Okay.
Um...
Change in America has only resulted as of actions,
not words.
And as Khwani mentioned earlier,
the Civil Rights Act only resulted because of a nation
of African-Americans coming together
and taking a stand for basic human rights.
Now, I, I think some people would call that injustice but,
injustice is just a word.
It comes from the word just, which means justifiable,
and people all over the world has found justifiable reasons
for mistreating other people.
So the word injustice has nothing to do
with right or wrong, only legal, right?
As she stated.
Civil rights only resulted because a nation
of African-American people, they realized there was strength
in numbers, and they attacked the profit margin
that Mr. Crow spoke about earlier.
And they surmounted change.
That's what they did.
And remarkably, they did all of that (laughing)
without the help of Twitter, Snapchat (class laughs),
or emails.
Seriously.
But if they surmounted all this change back then,
just imagine the change that we could surmount now,
if we coordinated and came together
instead of tweeting and complaining about it.
See, I believe we could
get rid of all the problems in our society today.
Sex trafficking, the senseless murder
of black men by police.
Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Taylor?
- Our discussion's some bullshit.
- Well, all right.
(gentle piano music)
- I always wanted you to see me at my best
'cause that's what you taught me to be.
I'm sorry if I disappointed you.
(sniffing)
(kissing)
I love you, Sarg.
(sniffing)
It's my fault he's gone.
God didn't spare my dad's life
'cause I'm out here killin' his people
with that crap I'm sellin'.
- Chris, don't, don't talk like that.
- But it's true.
Crazy thing about it is I never wanted to do it
in the first place.
I don't wanna go to jail or get killed
out here in these streets.
When pops got too sick to work, I had to do something.
I just wanted to go to school and play football.
I wanted to go to the NFL and buy Sarg a house,
not run the streets.
- Get out of the streets.
You did what you had to do to save him.
And he lived longer because of you.
- I still couldn't save him.
- Babe.
He had cancer, and you didn't give him that.
And you're not God.
- Baby?
Your mother's here.
- You serious?
Now you wanna show up?
- Chris, calm down.
- Ain't no calm down.
- Send the police right away to the lobby.
We have a situation.
- First, you cheat on my dad.
You take Christina,
try to take me, and don't give a damn about our wellbeing,
and now you wanna show up?
- Christopher.
Please hear me when I say it was not that simple!
- He's been sittin' front of the TV fallin' apart
since the day you left.
Doctor said it was cancer, but I know
for a fact he died from a broken heart.
So fuck you! - Chris!
- Have some respect.
That's still yo momma.
- Respect who?
I lost respect for her the day she walked out that door.
- (laughing) You know what?
It's okay.
'Cause this, this bipolar behavior is exactly
why I left you and yo daddy's crazy ass.
- Bitch!
(indistinct yelling)
- Hit me! Yeah!
- Calm down, bro!
Gee! Beat it.
- What you got there?
This yours?
- No, it's mine.
- It's mine, sir.
- Well, who's is it?
- He not thinkin' straight right now.
He just lost his dad.
That bag is mine, sir.
- No, man, I can't let you rat for this, man.
- Faith, please take 'im home.
- Look, man.
Unfortunately, I can't unsee what I saw.
It's nothin' personal, man.
I got a job to do.
(sad piano music)
- I told him, if you go to jail,
he better be defendin' himself
or he on his own.
- On his... Charles!
That is your son!
- I don't know who the fuck he is.
My son wouldn't be in those type of situations.
- He made a mistake.
(breathing heavily) One mistake!
- Listen.
I gave everything!
Do you understand?
Everything!
- I know.
- So he wouldn't make those types of mistakes.
- Baby, I know.
- Man, oh, man. - Where you goin'?
Where you goin'?
Charles, wait!
Charles, wait! (sobbing)
Wait!
Would you please?
- Look, gimme the bag.
Let it go!
- No! - Let it go!
- So you just gonna leave me like that?
- Get your hands off me.
- Come on, come on (crying).
(spits)
You fuckin' coward.
You a fuckin' coward.
(sobbing)
♪ Open your eyes
♪ And see the lights
♪ In your window
- I miss you so much (crying).
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry I never could protect you.
I love you so much.
Please watch over your sister.
Sidney is lost without you.
I'm lost without you.
You will always,
you will always be my son.
I love you so much.
(sobbing)
I love you.
- Your honor, this guy is a menace.
We do not need him on the streets.
This guy is the sole reason our community is going down.
Quite frankly, I'm sick of it.
♪ Be with me
♪ All the time
♪ Shine, shine, shine
♪ Brightly
(knocking on door) - Chris!
(phone vibrating)
(pounding on door) Chris!
♪ Rest a while
♪ Don't forget it
♪ Never
♪ Shine, shine, shine
♪ Brightly
♪ Shine, shine, shine
♪ Brightly
♪ Shine, shine, shine
(scuffling) (indistinct yelling echoes)
♪ Shine, shine, shine
(singing quietly)
♪ Be with me
♪ All the time (knocking on door)
- Okay, okay.
- Fuck my keys at?
- What are you talkin' about?
- Bitch, you know what I'm talkin' about!
- Get your hands off me! (yelling and punching)
- Where my god damn keys!
Tryin' to come over this motherfuckin',
you, you know exactly what I'm talkin' about!
- I don't have your keys (screaming)!
- Quit playin' with me, quit playin' with me!
(knife slashing) (screaming in pain)
♪ Shine, shine, shine
♪ Brightly
♪ Rest a while
You crazy.
Bitch!
(knife hits body) Ow! Motherfucker!
Ow! You out yo mind! (punching)
Fuck!
Ow, bitch you crazy! (beating)
Ow! (screaming in pain)
Bitch, you crazy, you out yo, ow!
Shit, you out yo motherfuckin' mind, bitch you-
(heavy kicking) (screaming in pain)
- Who's the bitch now?
- The fuck is wrong with you?
You done lost your mind!
Yousa crazy bitch!
- Motherfucker, yes, I am crazy!
- Bitch crazy!
She even kicked me in my motherfucking house.
Crazy bitch.
I can't be with no bitch
that's puttin' her hands on me.
She's a stupid bitch,
fucked up in the head (mumbling).
(laughing)
- God bless him.
- ♪ Amazing Grace
♪ How sweet the sound
♪ That saved a wretch like me
♪ I once was lost
♪ But now- - ♪ But now I'm found...
(laughs) I still got a whole 'nother verse to sing.
- Oh, I missed you, boy.
- I missed you too, ma.
- Aw.
- Need some help with this?
- You sure you ain't too good to help with it?
- Nah, my momma taught me how to do all of this.
(laughs)
- My momma taught me a lot too,
especially with my daddy not bein' around.
Girl across the street used to tease me
and call me the milkman's baby.
Guess 'cause the milkman was around more
than my daddy was.
No matter how bad I beat her up,
I always just felt like she always had one up on me
'cause her father was around.
I felt like the kids with their fathers in their lives,
they just did better.
Better in school, better in sports.
Maybe just better in life.
I'm sorry, Omeer.
- Oh, we're just, we're just cool.
I mean, no matter what, we family.
Speaking of family, you seen Dunnah or talked to Chris?
I haven't seen anybody.
- No, I haven't seen Chris.
I did talk to Dunnah's mom,
and she said he was going out of town.
- Outta town?
Outta town where?
- I'm not sure (laughs), baby, she didn't really say.
(phone vibrating)
- O?
- D, I am so sorry.
There's no way I woulda just left you here to run.
You gotta know that.
It's like I-I was stuck inside of a nightmare,
sittin' beside his chair just waitin' for him to come
so that I can get up.
Bro, what can we do to get you out of here?
- Nothing at this point.
Kristi Glenn fucked me good on this one.
- Who?
- The public defender.
She fucked me over when she suggested I take the plea
rather than goin' to trial.
- Why you say that?
- She just saw me as another number, man.
She don't give a fuck about me.
I've been doing some readin' in here.
Turns out since the police only seized a small amount,
I coulda got off on probation and a small fine.
- Are you serious?
(laughs)
- I wish Chicken had been here to put me on game.
- Yeah, he was always up on all the legal stuff.
But me and O are here.
We got yo back.
He just put some bread on your commissary.
- Is he all right?
- Yeah, he straight- - [Prison Guard] House.
- He actually out in the lobby.
They wouldn't let both of us come back here.
You know, he was going through a lot.
I think he pullin' through.
Bro, you saved my life.
- You woulda done the same, bro.
- Save some o' that ass, man.
- Hey, man, you ever say some bullshit
again like that I fuckin' rip your bitch ass.
You know what time it is.
(ominous percussive music)
- D, what happened to you?
- We all make choices, bro.
- I am so sorry.
- Don't be.
I made my choice.
You ain't make it for me.
I willingly chose my family.
- [Prison Guard] Time's up!
- Is there anything else you need?
- Two things.
- Anything.
- The first: pick yo head up.
And the second, make sure I got a spot to land
when I get outta here.
(sniffing)
- There's been a lot of rumblings in the media
on our topic today due to the release
of rapper Meek Mills from prison.
And there's been a lot of good points made
on both sides of the argument,
but what I would like to do is get you all's perspective on
criminal justice and reform.
Is there a need?
What do you got for me?
- No, not really.
- He didn't, (laughs) he didn't believe that at all.
- [Xavier] Yes.
- Okay, he said it loud, but again, no resonance.
Come on, people.
Are you for it or against it?
Come on, say it with your chest.
Tell me why is it that's what you believe?
Tell me, what do you believe, Mr. Crow?
- There is absolutely no need for any type of change,
no need for any type of reform.
Those who break the law deserve to go to jail.
And if you don't want to go to jail,
then don't break the law, period.
- [Professor Moss] All right.
I can respect that.
- I mean, that's easy for you to say growin' up
with a silver spoon in your mouth.
You've had everything you've ever wanted.
- (scoffs) Yeah.
Well, if you want something,
then you should have to work hard to get it.
You should get a job and save your money
and then buy what it is that you want.
You shouldn't steal (laughs)
or sell drugs just because you want something.
- What about something you need?
- What was that?
- Well, y-you said you shouldn't s-steal
or sell drugs for something you want.
What about something you need?
A want is something you simply desire.
A need is something essential for survival.
- Yeah, I know the difference.
A person selling drugs isn't a life or death situation.
- [Omeer] A white college student named Christopher
was raised by a single father.
Shortly after Christopher leaves for college,
his dad is diagnosed with cancer.
Over time, the father gets so sick,
he's no longer able to work.
The treatment is expensive,
but he can't afford the treatment.
He can't work because he has cancer.
Unwilling to let his father die,
Chris drops out of college with just a year under his belt.
Can't find employment, so he's forced to sell drugs,
just to pay for his father's medicine.
Now, in this circumstance, I say he's a hero.
But would you label him a criminal
for doing what was necessary to save his father's life?
- Christopher sounds like a stand-up dude in a tough spot.
But that's not why they're slinging dope in the hood.
- (scoffs) Oh, Jim trying to get his ass whupped.
- I don't think anyone would just sit back
and allow their mother or father to die when
all they have to do is simply just cross the lines
of legality to make sure that they see another day.
- [Professor Moss] Yep, they would.
- Okay.
So what about all the violent people running
around the hood with guns?
Huh?
You got a reason for that?
Could easily just call the cops.
But instead everyone wants to be all tough and walk
around with their straps.
- It's not that people wanna be tough.
Most people in the inner city, they don't feel protected.
So they're just trying to protect themselves.
- [Xavier] Yep.
- Okay, well that's what cops are for.
The police are the ones who are properly trained,
and it's their responsibility to protect and serve
and theirs alone.
They're the ones who are paid to carry guns.
- I agree.
So what happens when you call the police
and they don't come?
- Okay, look, I get it.
Not everyone is fortunate enough
to live in a good neighborhood.
I'm assuming if you live in a rough part of the hood,
you might have to wait an extra 10 minutes for the police
to come, but hey, no system is perfect, Mr. Taylor.
- I said, what happens if you simply call 911
and the police don't come?
- At all?
(sighs) Get outta here.
Professor, he's not even being realistic at this point.
(clearing throat)
- Unfortunately, Mr. Crow, um, your reality
and Mr. Omeer's reality are two different things.
It, it's not uncommon, growing up
in a predominantly Black neighborhood,
in extreme situations, you could call 911
and they don't show up.
But, your argument, sir, is not with me.
Mr. Omeer?
- A 13-year-old kid named Harold watched his neighbor
get shot and killed.
Would you think it's okay for him to carry a gun?
- Yes.
He's been traumatized.
He doesn't want to die like his neighbor.
(sighs)
- So let's just say while in possession of that gun,
he's confronted by the police.
He complies with the police-
- Get on the fucking ground!
- [Omeer] Do you think that he should be shot?
- The police wouldn't shoot Harold if he complied.
(laughing) Y-you can't just do that.
This isn't some third world country,
where if you wake up on the wrong side of the bed,
you could decide to kill someone.
T-t-his is America.
- This is America,
where I would love to walk freely.
He would love to run freely,
and I'm sure he would love to drive freely,
but that isn't the case.
Here it's just a fight to breathe.
- Oh, my god.
Are y'all hearing this?
- [Class] Yep.
- I hope they are 'cause things are changing.
The world is changing whether you believe it or not, bro.
As leaders of tomorrow, let's not simply look
at whether or not a person breaks the law.
Let's identify the circumstances
that are causing people to break them.
Most people in the hood don't wanna break the law
and get locked up.
Jim, what would you do if you were put in a situation
where you had to break the law just to survive?
- It wouldn't happen.
- The world is changing.
The world is rapidly changing.
20 years ago, to the United States of America
was 10% minority.
Today, it's 45%.
With that change, there's a change in mentality
as we realize that many of the current laws
in place need to be broken because they are outdated
and need to be reformed in order to ensure equality
for everyone regardless of the color of their skin.
My client grew up white and wealthy,
but with the shift in the stock market,
took him from literally being on top of the world,
to the world being on top of him.
He now resides in the inner city with his wife
and daughter, Danielle.
This is the same area my co-counsel Mr. Jordan
and I worked so hard to escape.
We fall asleep to gunshots every night.
We hear stories
about their neighbors' houses being broken into.
On a few occasions, call the police.
They didn't show show.
Now, if your family's in danger,
would you expect the boys in blue to come to your rescue?
I wouldn't gamble my family's life on it.
Most couldn't.
So for that reason, I ask that you bring back a verdict
of not guilty.
For a moment, let's close our eyes.
Let's ignore all prejudice.
Do not let the color of my client's skin
dictate the justice he receives.
Last year, we watched cities all over the world
being burned down because of protest regarding inequality.
People are simply tired of the foolishness.
I saw all races all over the world, hand in hand,
not fighting for the Black race,
but just fighting for the right to be Black,
the right to be stopped by the police
and not having anxiety,
feeling that we're going straight to death row.
May the decisions that you make on this day, today,
not be based upon race,
sexuality, gender,
but allow it to be a reflection
of the change that we wants to see in the world today.
Let's repair a system that is clearly broken.
Enough is enough.
- Yeah, you right, O.
I don't know what's worse,
the days of living in the hood,
or the people that's outside lookin' in
and don't understand our situation.
- Good question.
But that's just like askin' will everyones be seen
as equals one day.
- Nah, I doubt it.
- Nah, it'll happen.
I just hope we live to see it.
♪ I come from the gutter
♪ Runnin' on your love
♪ I'm where I'm supposed to be
♪ So give up
♪ And you can never be mad at me ♪
♪ For not lookin' back
♪ Into that
♪ I run it up
♪ I'm where I'm supposed to be
♪ Show me love
♪ Listen
♪ Cut out the middleman
♪ And minimize the overhead
♪ Got tired of comin' up short
♪ So I chose to grow instead
♪ I was out gettin' to it
♪ Then chose to go to bed
♪ You got the nerve to be mad at me ♪
♪ 'Cause they low on bread
♪ I did my due diligence
♪ Without a doubt
♪ Ain't nobody gave me
♪ That's all about, no
♪ Don't come around when you come out o' pocket ♪
♪ It's funny how they come around ♪
♪ When you come up on profits
♪ Use you or misuse you
♪ If you accept it, no
♪ The main reason that I make myself ♪
♪ Less accessible
♪ Investin' my dollars in somethin' lucrative ♪
♪ And not bein' caught up in buyin' stupid ♪
♪ I'm so focused now
♪ Don't see no distractions
♪ But I don't slip
♪ Get punished for any infractions ♪
♪ Look
♪ My brother Curtis told me stick to my script ♪
♪ Ask the movie every day that I live, I'm late ♪
♪ I come from the gutter
♪ Runnin' on your love
♪ I'm where I'm supposed to be
♪ Show me love
♪ And you can never be mad at me ♪
♪ For not lookin' back
♪ Into a bad
♪ I run it up
♪ I'm where I'm supposed to be
♪ Show me love