Educational Media Reviews Online

This documentary produced and directed by Aishah Shahidah Simmons, interviews women whose lives were irrevocably altered when they were raped by men who they knew, trusted and even idolized. These women recount their stories of battery and rape as young girls and college students and how they dealt with the aftermath of these events. The interviews are interspersed with segments of dramatic readings of poetry, interviews with rape counselors and members of organizations who are working to stop the violence against women. This documentary shows the stark reality of the aftermath of rape that was perpetrated by a man of the same race and where these women have been discouraged from reporting the crime for the good of the race.

There are angry undertones in this movie for good reason. Black women have been struggling to control their own sexuality from the time of slavery, where they had no rights over their own bodies, through the civil rights movement, where they fought for racial equality along with men, to the present day where they are still fighting for equality not only racial, but equality alongside the men of their own race. The stories that are told by the rape survivors hint of anguish and the strength of these women. The documentary attempts to not only tell the story of these victims, but to help the audience understand the culture that encourages the silence of the victims instead of seeking justice on their behalf. One of the most striking examples of how men and women from the same culture view rape was vividly exemplified by the media coverage of the Mike Tyson rape trial. Men, even religious leaders, supported Mike Tyson. It was hinted that the women should have known what she was getting herself into when she entered the hotel room. The women interviewed stated that women should be respected even if she chooses to accompany a man to a hotel. Entering the hotel room does not denote consent.

While this documentary is from the perspective of the black community, it has the ability to impact lives of both men and women from any culture. Any woman can find herself in a risky situation with a person who she thought could be trusted and all men need to understand that only explicit consent is consent. Anything else is a no.