When George Floyd said he couldn’t breathe and cried for his mother moments before he died, it was a wake-up call for America. Injustice, inequity, and societal racism was revealed again, only this time the nation didn’t just send thoughts and prayers. This time, people emptied into the streets and demanded action.
Two weeks later, after escalating racial tensions and protests across the nation, a 5 block area inside of downtown Seattle was vacated by the police. The zone initially labeled CHAZ (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone) immediately gained national attention. We went there to find out the true story.
Even when the organizers changed the named to CHOP (Capitol Hill Organized Protest) to better reflect their message, the media largely painted an ugly portrait of the area. There were claims that everything had been overrun by hippies, anarchists, and warlords. Was this the truth? Or was the ‘police free’ utopia actually working? Most importantly, was the message of ‘Black Lives Matter’ being lost in all the confusion? Through the turbulent chattering of the media it became impossible to tell.
The only way to understand the CHOP movement is to speak to those who were there and who made their decisions based on their firm beliefs. These questions are not just meaningful in understanding CHOP, but in understanding the Black Lives Matter movement and our country as a whole. In essence, CHOP became more than just an experiment, it became a microcosm of our country. In this five block zone people have been teargassed, kidnapped, and murdered, and at the same time supported, lifted up, and inspired around the message that change is possible.
We all know it’s going to take the accumulation of many efforts, large and small, to make a difference. By getting more people heard, we can be part of that change - and organizations that align themselves with this message and help us continue this project will do nothing but benefit. It’s audacious and necessary.
The Approach:
Make a 30+ minute documentary hearing from a greater cross-section of black voices and community leaders, including people like Seattle’s Chief of Police Carmen Best, the Reverend Al Sharpton, Nikkita Oliver and Raz Simone (strong voices of CHOP), Governor Jay Inslee and many more (interview requests have been submitted). This piece will give voice to many perspectives, with the goal of increasing dialogue and understanding from viewers. More voices = more change and we must all take action.
Create Media/Social Friendly Assets: Yes, we’ll have one 30 minute long-form piece - but this will also be broken out into bite sized content for social and beyond, including trailers, stand-alone interviews, infographics, photo assets, and much more to build the case for justice. By building a full on Content Ecosystem, we can give the media what it wants to spread the word. Organizations that align themselves with this content (now is the time) will benefit greatly.
A Lean Production: Review the budget here, but this is what it will take to create something worthwhile that reflects the integrity of the cause. By being smart and taking a true indie approach, this will lend an authentic and raw voice to what we make together. No BS - just the strong message.
A Fast Schedule: We can’t sit on this and look at long, complicated schedules. Wrong. Our turn-around needs to be fast to stay relevant and credible. We have a schedule to get us there by Q1 of 2021.
The Bigger Picture - some dramatic questions to explore:
This is an issue much bigger than a global pandemic. People took to the streets to have their voices heard, even though it put them at risk.
How do we find reconciliation/dialogue between the branches of government/police and black people, or is that impossible now? The answer is: change for the better can and must happen now.
Many white people came in as saviors to help, but instead distorted the message. How can this dialogue be had in a more productive way?
The message of peace and community was lost in numerous shootings and a kidnapping at CHOP, a microcosm of violence nation-wide.
Was this from hate groups? Are they trying to bury/confuse the message?
How did these people get away?
Would a police presence have helped?
What are the solutions and how can we perpetuate the change we need? Without it, we are on the wrong side of history.
And finally, this story is so big that the president himself continues to tweet about it. How’s that for high profile awareness that will spread far and wide. Let’s take a stand together.
