Starting the Conversation

Immediately after the film, you may want to give people a few quiet moments to reflect on what they have seen. You could pose a general question (examples below) and give people some time to themselves to jot down or think about their answers before opening the discussion. Alternatively, you could ask participants to share their thoughts with partners before starting a group discussion.

• If you were going to tell a friend about this film, what would you say?
• Describe a moment or scene in the film that you found particularly surprising, disturbing, or moving. What was it about that scene that was especially compelling for you?
• If you could ask anyone in the film a single question, whom would you ask and what would you want to know?
• How do you interpret the film’s title?
• What do you want to research or learn more about after watching this film?
• What does collective liberation look like for you?

Intersectional Organizing, Activism, and Protest

• Prior to viewing this film, what came to mind when you thought of an activist? Has that changed at all, and why?
• The Movement for Black Lives emerged in 2013 and has evolved over the years across many cities around the world. How have you personally seen it evolve since then? What has your experience been with the movement?
• Why do you think that Paris, a BYP100 organizer, says the Movement for Black Lives would not exist without gender nonconforming people, nonbinary people, and trans women?
• In the opening scene (timestamp: 00:16-2:10), we see a group of Black activists launch a protest at a restaurant during brunch. How did this challenge or support your own understanding of what a protest is or looks like? Who or what do you think a protest is for?
• How do you define a successful protest?
• Have you participated in a protest or demonstration? What was your experience like?
• There is a scene (timestamp 23:56-26:10) where Bella shares some challenges about dating as a queer woman. What are some of those challenges?
• Have there been aspects of your identity or experience that seem to challenge other parts?
• What do you think are some challenges that queer women face in activist work?
• How can allies support the queer community in activist organizations?
• Younger generations are more open about their sexuality, yet older LGBTQ+ members have key experience. What can we learn from older generations’ struggles and successes?

Abolishing the Prison Industrial Complex

• What did you know about the abolition movement before watching the film? Did you learn anything new about abolition?
• In the film, Bella and her mother, a returning citizen, visit her brother, who is imprisoned (timestamp: 1:02:52-1:06:57). How do you think mass incarceration affects individuals? How does it affect their families and their communities?
• How do you think we can better support those in our own communities who have been affected by the carceral system?
• When you close your eyes and think about what makes you feel safe, what do you see?
• What could a future without prisons look like?
• What would it look like if community members were to care for one another and keep each other safe?
• What do you know about public safety models?
• How would you feel if you lived in a place without police?

Black Joy

• What do you see as the role of joy in protest, activism, and organizing?
• How did you see activists in the film taking time for self care and joy?
• How did Janaé and Bella spend their downtime? Why do you think the filmmaker included this in a film about activism?

Optional: Closing Question/Activity

At the end of your discussion, to help people synthesize what they’ve experienced and move the focus from dialogue to action steps, you may want to choose one of these questions:

• What did you learn from this film that you wish everyone knew? What would change if everyone knew it?
• If you could require one person (or one group) to view this film, who would it be? What would you hope their main takeaway would be?
• This story is important because _____.
• Complete this sentence: I am inspired by this film (or discussion) to ___________.

Optional: Taking Action

If group members are having trouble generating their own ideas for next steps, these suggestions can help get things started:

1. Find and join an organization or initiative that is aligned with your values and vision for the type of world you want to live in.