I have friends who are producers who don’t produce because
they’ve become paralyzed by a film industry that won’t fund
their projects because “black people don’t go to the movies,”
or “white people are not going to see black people in certain
roles.” I would not, could not let that stop me.
Whoever heard the stories of how black families protected
their children from Jim Crow? I’ve seen movies where black
people said “yessir” or “no sir.” But never had I heard the
calculated strategies to make sure that their children did not
feel like second-class citizens.
Not having the funds was not going to stop me from telling this
story. And I am on a mission to share this story especially
with children, especially black children. To let them know that
even though they were denied some opportunities that others
had, that they can still succeed and prosper.
I am thankful that I had an incredible, supportive husband that
did everything possible to make sure that I got this done. I’m
thankful that I had a sister who got on a train for 14 hours to
help me for the shoot and got back on the train to go back to
work and take care of her family. I’m thankful that I had a DP
that believed in this project so much that he gave me a great
discount on his rate. I’m thankful that some very talented
photographers and musicians contributed their amazing works
of art to this project. I’m thankful that Apple gives free courses
in Final Cut so that I could edit my own work because I couldn’t
pay an editor thousands of dollars. So with a lot of talented
people in front and behind the camera, a film that will benefit
history and humanity was made.
On my journey there were times when I felt like giving up.
Obstacles were put in my way. Time and time again I had to
start all over. But each time this work of art got better, it got
stronger. Looking back on it now I’ve learned, “everything
happens for a reason.” There is a reason why I was able to
interview the people that I interviewed even though that was
not the initial plan. There was a reason that two computers
crashed on me during post-production. There was a reason
that I finished the film when I did. And there are many reasons
Barack Obama won this election.
As a female African-American I think back on this election and
how I could have easily chosen the subject of the possibility of
the first female president for “In Our Lifetime.” That story
would have been moot and sat on my computer after
thousands of dollars invested. But as I said earlier everything
happens for a reason. So instead of the possibility of just
inspiring girls to one day be president I can now inspire boys
and girls of all races that all things are possible.
