Though some questions were left unanswered, this film successfully conveyed a vivid depiction of the struggles faced by young black males in the Baltimore area. As a native Detroiter, I made many connections to the issues facing youth there as well: I worked in Detroit public schools teaching dozens of 8th graders who were reading at a second grade level. What the Baltimore youth are facing is occurring all over our country. The underlying theme here is how the public school systems in inner cities have woefully disadvantaged entire GENERATIONS of black boys and girls. The film has great potential for building awareness, if not for those who are able to create educational systemic changes, at least for the youth who just need someone to believe in them for once.
Review of The Boys of Baraka
