Original subtitles

Bow: In the eighties, there was nothing cooler than a cop.

They were brave, they were hot,

some of them were even dogs.

He told us, "Take a bite out of crime,"

and we listened, because cops were heroes.

But in the black community,

relationships with police are more complicated.

So you can probably imagine how each one of my parents reacted

when this happened...

Mom, can I go to Cop Camp?

I want to hang out with police officers all day!

No way. That's a great idea.

I bet you thought my parents would be flipped on that one.

Racists.

♪ In the mix ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, they keep trying ♪

♪ But they can't stop us ♪

♪ 'Cause we got a love ♪

♪ That keeps rising up ♪

♪ In the mix ♪

♪ Life turns around ♪

♪ 'Round and 'round it goes ♪

♪ Ooh, it's a mixed-up world ♪ ♪ Ooh, it's a mixed-up ♪

♪ And that's for sure ♪ ♪ Mixed-up ♪

♪ In the mix ♪ ♪ Baby ♪

♪ We're gonna get by ♪ ♪ We're gonna ♪

♪ On our own, side by side ♪

♪ Love's all we need to be free ♪ ♪ Lo-o-o-ve is all ♪

♪ I got you, you got me ♪

♪ Yaaaaay us! ♪

♪ I-I-In the mix ♪

♪ Yaaaaay us! ♪

♪ I-I-In the mix-ish ♪

Have I had too many of these,

or did I just hear a black parent

volunteer her kid to the cops?

Both can be true.

We encourage our kids to explore

whatever they're interested in.

Yeah, and apparently we're also letting them

spin around in circles till they throw up

and play with toasters in the bathtub.

"An after school program

where police officers teach kids

community, safety" --

This is snitch camp.

You're sending your kid to snitch camp.

Relax. It's just an after school program.

Oh! Okay, Mr. Officer!

I will get in your backseat anytime.

What?

I like a man in uniform.

Well, no son of mine is gonna become a cop.

Apparently no son of mine is gonna become anything.

Hmm. Look, you guys always complain about the police,

but be honest, if somebody broke in here

and stole all your headbands,

you'd call the cops.

Nope. They're just headbands.

I could always weave more.

Well, I don't call the police, either.

I call our cousin Ray-Ray.

He don't play.

How is Ray-Ray?

He's good!

You people think the cops are out there

swinging their billy clubs at anything with a tan.

But truth is, you stay out of trouble,

they don't bother you.

-Unh-unh. That is not true. -That's just dumb.

No, it's not true.

And that's why I don't understand

why you want Johan to become a cop.

Did you become

what you wanted to be when you were 11?

Yes, I wanted to become a millionaire, and I did.

Well, last week, Johan wanted to be an astronaut.

And the week before that, he wanted to be a dinosaur.

Paul: But 11 or not,

why would we want to put him in harm's way?

To my mom,

this was the opposite of putting him in harm's way.

♪♪

Sadly, we are all aware of the problem

of police shooting unarmed black boys.

Unfortunately, it's something our community has faced

for a very long time.

Even in the eighties,

black mothers would prepare their sons

for interactions with the police.

Some mothers would introduce

their pre-teen children to local cops

in hopes that would help keep them safe.

Today, camera phones and social media

have made it possible for black mothers

to bring attention to police injustice.

However, this burden continues

to be passed down in our community

in order to protect the bodies of our black children.

I'm trying to be realistic here.

And if there's a one-percent chance

the cops knowing him

will make him seem like less of a threat,

then I want that one percent.

Paul: Look, babe, I don't want him to get the idea

that all cops are his buddies.

They may not take him as seriously.

It's nice having a buddy who's a cop.

Mine made my D.U.I. M.I.A.

I don't want that either,

but we have to use all the tools in the chest, Paul.

Alright, honey,

if you think that's best, then he can go.

But I'm gonna go with him to police the police.

And I know how you can get,

so I'm going to police you policing the police.

And I'm gonna go and police you -- Well, whatever.

You just want to drool over men in uniform.

You a snitch.

♪♪

In the eighties, adults thought it was okay

to put children in charge of other children's lives.

And I loved being a "Safety Patrol"

because I loved having an important title.

Have I ever told you I'm a doctor?

[ Chuckles ] What are you supposed to be --

Nerd Patrol?

No, I'm a "Safety Patrol."

And you're just jealous.

I'm not jealous.

You sound jealous.

Trust me, I'm not.

It's one mistake after another with you two.

Whatever, Santi.

You still need me to cross the street.

[ Brakes squeak ]

She's totally jealous. Bigtime.

♪♪

Alicia: Hi there, officer. Oh, hi.

I just wanted to introduce myself and my son, Johan.

Johan, come on over.

So, this is Johan.

Nice to meet you, Johan.

I will definitely remember that name.

Call me Steve-O.

You got it, Steve-O!

No, it's "Officer Stevenson."

Except nicknames are usually shorter --

And here is Johan's class picture.

You can have it.

Put it on the visor of your cruiser.

Uh, I don't think we're allowed to put up

pictures of other people's kids.

But, um, welcome, Johan!

Come on out here.

Alright!

Who wants one of these?

[ Children exclaiming ] Huh? Yeah, yeah.

You all do.

Unfortunately, only five of you

are gonna get into the program.

Nowadays, kids get trophies

just for thinking of signing up for something.

But in the eighties,

you had to earn your cheap, flammable T-shirts.

So the first five kids to finish this obstacle course

get a spot in our camp.

Alicia: Oh, no.

There's a chance he might not get in.

Oh, there's practically no chance he gets in.

Johan isn't top five in anything physical. [ Sighs ]

Okay, let's go.

Paul: Oh!

I've never been so right so fast.

[ Chuckles ] [ Sighs ]

It's still our son going to an after school club.

We're here to support him.

Okay, alright. Okay.

[ Chuckles ] [ Unenthused ] Go, Johan.

[ Whistle blows ]

[ Cheers and applause ]

Alicia: You can do it, Johan!

We have Kenyan in our family!

Why are you cheering for this?

I'm cheering for our son.

To be a kid cop.

Johan, your shoes are untied!

The cop remembered his name. That's a good thing, right? Yeah, yeah.

♪ I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance ♪

♪♪

♪ I'm just burning doin' the neutron dance ♪

[ Sighs ] Oh, cheer up.

Hopefully that's the last time he's running from the cops.

Johan: Dad, you want to hold Steve-O's gun?

Alicia: Hi, sweetheart.

Camp was awesome today!

We got to sit in the back of a police car,

and he let me turn on the sirens.

Wow. Paul: Wow.

Alright, buddy, why don't you go do your homework?

How did he even win that obstacle course?

He walks like a Muppet.

You're upset that your kid is a winner?

[ Sighs ]

Well, I get that you want

to see yourself in your own son,

but this is taking it a little far.

You know, that camp is nothing but propaganda.

It's just a way for Johan to think that cops

are the nicest guys on the planet.

[ Scoffs ] And clearly it's working.

I think this camp could be a great opportunity

for Johan to learn how the police operate.

Like it or not, there's a different set of rules

for people of color to follow around cops.

So, if spending time around the police

can help him with those rules, then great.

But w-why does the onus have to always be on us?

This is the thing we were fighting in the sixties.

There's a systemic problem that -- Paul.

I'm a black woman in America.

Is the cop problem systemic? Yes.

Do I work every day to challenge the legal system?

Yes.

Do I have a son who I worry about

every time he walks out that door?

Yeah.

I want Johan to learn how to behave around cops

as soon as possible.

So I need you to -- to trust me.

I got this one.

Okay.

Okay. But just for the record,

I think this Cop Camp is basically a cult.

Aren't cults kinda your thing?

We lived on a commune, Dad, not a cult.

There's a subtle but important difference.

♪♪

I think you walk like a Muppet.

Are we allowed to make citizens arrests?

I don't see why not.

Oh, good.

It's just you two.

Bye.

Wait, aren't you supposed to be in class?

I'm getting my book. For class.

And I was bored. With class.

You guys know the rules.

You can't be out here right now.

Are you serious?

I am.

I took an oath

on Ms. Collin's Harlequin romance novel.

An oath to enforce dumb rules.

How is not being allowed to ditch class a dumb rule?

We're at school to learn,

but they won't let me grab my book?

Rainbow, she's making good arguments.

And that bathroom pass?

Think of how much doo-doo is on it.

They wash them, don't they?

That's so unsanitary.

That's what we're saying.

Enjoy the job for what it is.

You get out of class early,

and you get to wear those...

belts.

Don't make people hate you

for tripping off dumb rules that don't matter.

I'm a safety. I can't ignore the rules.

Just the dumb ones.

If you do that, you'll have a new title --

Rainbow Johnson, Freshquire.

Freshquire?

Tamika was making a lot of sense.

Some of the rules did seem unnecessary,

and that title was just too good to pass up.

Plus, there probably was a lot of doo-doo on those passes.

Well, "Freshquire" says you can go to your locker.

Oh, we were going to anyway, but thanks.

♪♪

♪ Hey, mambo ♪

♪ Mambo Italiano ♪

♪ Hey, mambo ♪

♪ Mambo Italiano ♪ [ As Ray Liotta ] They called me Freshquire?

It was like I was a made woman.

Since my first day of Mondale, I wanted to be a safety.

♪ Hey, mambo ♪

To me, being a safety

was better than being President of the United States.

To me, it meant being a somebody

in a school of nobodies.

[ Normal voice ] Sorry.

I-I don't know why I'm talking like a mobster.

Do people, like, like you now or something?

Beat it, Santi.

Hey, that sash looks kinda cool.

I knew you were jealous.

Fine, maybe a little.

Mind if I take it for a spin?

You have five seconds to get out of here,

or I'm writing you up. Whatever.

Sash makes you look fat anyway.

We both know it doesn't.

♪ Shake it like a Giovano ♪

♪ E lo che se dice ♪

♪ You get happy in the feets-ah when you ♪

♪ Mambo Italiano ♪

Reporter: The conviction of Leroy Washington was overturned

after spending forty-two years in prison

for a crime he didn't commit.

It took a minute, but today, justice prevailed.

Justice... Reporting live from the courthouse...

How is that justice? You're telling me.

[ TV turns off ]

Locking up all that hot chocolate

for over forty-two years over nothing?

This is why I'm single.

And during the civil rights movement,

I met black guys who had done years

for crimes in cities they'd never even been to.

And we move back here, and nothing has changed.

If Johan is gonna do this camp, I need to be there.

Normally, you talking about black issues is annoying,

but I'm coming with you.

I just need to put on my don't-[bleep]-with-me wig.

Officer Stevenson: Now, remembering every little detail

you can about a criminal is very, very important.

I'm glad we came here to keep an eye on things.

I feel better already.

So, I'm gonna show you a picture... Just say the word, and I will jump in.

...of a suspect really fast. I used extra bobby pins, everything.

Go ahead, give it a tug. Oh.

Never touch a black woman's hair.

What? Alright, kids,

when a crime happens,

witness testimony is the best way

to put a bad guy in jail.

Sometimes forever.

All: Ooh! Mm-hmm.

So, I'm going to show you

a picture of a suspect really fast,

and we'll see how good you are at describing him.

It's really weird.

Usually, a white man like that would make me sick.

But you put him in a uniform, and unh!

Do you think maybe it's because you've been conditioned

to believe in a white power structure?

Just let me enjoy a butt.

Here is the first one.

Hmm? Take a look.

Alright? Okay.

What identifying details do you remember

that might help the police?

He had a white T-shirt!

He had black hair!

I missed it!

Okay, well, then here is another one.

Hmm? Oh, come...

Okay, what do you remember?

He was in a car.

Okay, but what about him?

Uh, height? Eye color?

Race?

Uh-huh. Yeah, excuse me.

W-Why is race important?

Oh, no.

Well, race is an easy way to identify a person.

Well, it's just, you know, funny

that all your pictures are of black men.

Uh, that's not true, sir.

Oh, really?

Well, you mind if I, uh, check for myself?

[ Clears throat ] Okay.

Is that your dad?

No, I'm black, so he can't be my dad.

♪♪

Huh.

Okay, then.

Sir, we have a lot to get done today.

It might be best if you and your guest leave.

Oh, we are not together, and I am single.

And hello.

Paul: I'm sorry, son.

I don't want you exposed to a-any of this.

I guess that is my dad.

Let's go, Johan.

Y'all go on and go.

I'mma stay.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Chuckles ]

What you looking at?

I know. We're so cool.

And honestly, it fits you so well, too. Rainbow: Yeah.

Like...

Just look both ways, you'll be fine.

It's kind of dumb that we have to stand here

all afternoon.

I mean, kids can cross the street.

They're not blind!

Except for Patrick, but he has an aide.

Yeah, I think you're right.

Ooh! You want to see if these badges

can get us a discount at Pizza Palace?

Mentally, I'm already there.

[ Humming ]

♪♪

[ Horn honks ]

Santi, you almost got hit!

Why didn't you look both ways?

Because I'm 5!

[ Sighs ]

Just watch where you're going.

Okay, come.

[ Sighs ]

♪♪

[ Siren chirps ]

[ Police radio chatter ]

Traffic Cop: License and registration?

Mm.

Most black people have a sibling,

a cousin, or a friend

who has been hurt by the police.

So, even though their job is to protect and serve,

what so many of us feel around them is fear.

Stay safe tonight.

Absolutely. Thank you, officer.

[ Sighs ]

♪♪

Okay, well, I had a pretty rough day,

so I'd like to hear something positive.

How did you kids change the world today?

Oh, well, we should start with Rainbow!

I almost got hit by a car!

And then Rainbow was such a good patrol

that she saved me.

It was nothing. Doesn't sound like nothing.

You should be proud, Rainbow.

You followed the rules, you did all the right things,

and because of you, everyone is safe.

I was just doing my job.

Johan, do you want to go?

Mine's not as fun.

Are you okay, Johan? Johan: No.

Dad got me kicked out of Cop Camp.

[ Groans ]

W-What? You --

Paul -- Paul, what did you do?

They were playing a racist game

of "Which Black Guy Did It?"

and they didn't like that I pointed that out.

Mostly because I was kinda wrong about it.

But, uh, so that's how I changed the world today.

Let's eat.

I'm already eating. Life is too short.

I thought I explained why I wanted him in that camp.

Paul: I-I know, but, honey,

I thought what they were teaching was wrong.

Okay, but our kids don't have the privilege

of picking and choosing

what rules they like or don't like.

Yeah, I know, but we should teach them how to fight --

Of course.

But we should also be teaching them how to be safe.

But there -- there -- there has to be a better way.

If you have one, I'd love to hear it.

Well, for starters,

we could keep our son away from the cops.

You know that's impossible when you look like us.

Sometimes the cops pop over to say hi.

Stop being condescending.

I-I -- Of course I know --

You might know it intellectually,

but you will never know how it feels

to do everything right

and still be seen as nothing more

than the color of your skin,

which is why I decide how to protect our black kids.

No, I know you're not saying --

Alicia: That I might know

a little bit more than you about this?

Mm-hmm. So let me handle it.

No. No way.

If I don't understand something, then teach me.

But you don't get to tell me not to parent my son.

Paul, there is no way I'm --

Johan: I-I'm sorry!

I'm sorry I wanted to go to Cop Camp.

Just stop fighting.

♪♪

[ Door closes ]

Did I mention I almost got killed today?

♪♪

Hey.

Hey.

Can we talk?

Of course.

I got pulled over tonight.

What?

Are you okay?

I am now.

It was just a routine traffic stop.

But when those sirens came on, my body tensed up.

I started sweating.

I gripped the steering wheel so tight,

I could feel my nails digging into my palms.

I don't want Johan to ever go through that.

Neither do I.

So how do we protect him from that

while also not hiding him from the truth?

You know, we -- we could just put the kids up for adoption.

Life would be so much easier.

[ Both chuckle ]

There are 1,893 days before Johan turns 16.

That's how long we have

before he's driving on the road.

And honestly, it scares me.

It scares me, too.

So, what do we do?

Well, maybe the best thing for us to do is everything.

Let Johan follow his dreams

and enjoy his time with the officers at camp,

but also make sure that he's not naive to the world.

Mm-hmm.

And pray.

[ Chuckles ]

We can always pray.

♪♪

[ Sighs ]

♪♪

After I almost let my sister die,

I saw that I really needed to be a better safety.

Freeze!

Tamika: Hey, Freshquire.

You can do this. You have skinny arms.

Yeah, see if you can reach up and grab a Pepsi.

No, there are rules for a reason,

and it's my job to enforce them.

[ Both laugh ]

Wait, you're being serious?

From now on, I'm only serious.

Freshquire has left the building.

♪♪

I learned that, as cliché as it is,

with great power comes great responsibility --

a responsibility greater than any title.

♪♪

Hey, sweetie. Can we talk?

I know you're mad at us.

We get it.

I'm not mad.

It's called the police code of silence.

Shoot. I just broke it.

I know I should've been supportive

in something that you wanted to do.

And I know I said that all cops were bad,

but maybe I was doing the thing

that I've always taught you guys not to do --

stereotyping people.

So you wouldn't be mad if I became a cop?

Oh, buddy,

I would love to have people come up to me and say,

"I just met a really cool cop!"

And I'd say, "I bet he was my son.

Was he barefoot?"

[ Laughter ]

You'd be an amazing cop.

You just have to promise us when you get your badge,

you'll stay the same compassionate, caring young man

we're talking to right now.

I promise.

That's good.

Because unfortunately, not all of them are.

And that's something we need to talk about.

♪ Mother, mother ♪

And while the cops have a responsibility

to uphold the law and apply it without bias,

parents can't just rely on that.

Not when they're raising a black boy in America.

♪ There's far too many of you dying ♪

I know because I have three.

I'm one of many mothers that pray every day

that we never get that dreaded call.

Even though Johan didn't end up becoming a police officer,

he's what the system needs more of.

And there are those cops out there.

Cops who value human life,

not just white human life.

And there are cops who recognize the need for change

and become the change we need.

Hey, fellas.

I put together a little something

to thank you for all your hard work.

I'm also a woman in uniform.

[ Chuckles ]

♪♪

♪ Just one look, that's all it took ♪

Denise: "I'm nosey, but in a fun way."

♪ Just one look ♪

"I'm not afraid of a little mess."

♪ Got me hooked ♪

"I like to be hands on." ♪ Just one look ♪

[ Chuckles ] ♪ That's all it took ♪

"Get ready for some turbulence."

♪ For me to fall in love ♪

"It was at this point I was asked to leave my job."

♪ Just one look is... ♪