All language subtitles for Mixed-ish.S01E20.WEBRip.x264-ION10

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... ♪