Instead of watching the current protest news, watch Flint Town. For communication to matter, it should lead something to change. Watching the news pushes your buttons: You are disturbed but rarely enlightened. The drama and complexity of the situation leads most people to focus on one element that we already believe — the righteousness of the anger, or the need to avoid further violence, or the role of extremists, etc. Flint Town is a deep look into rust belt America through the people and challenges of the Flint, Michigan police force. It does not tell you what to think. The filmmakers do not prescribe a “solution”. But you get to know people and a town in a way that gives you greater understanding and, strangely, greater comfort with the complexity. With those two benefits, we are more likely to think and do things that will help us impThe parove as fellow citizens, as communities and as a nation.
Part of Flint Town’s effectiveness is its length: It has 8 episodes. That is long enough to get to know a core set of people in the police department and meet a range of the citizens they try to serve. They are all human beings with aspirations, working hard to keep those aspirations alive in the face of massive economic changes, self-inflicted setbacks, and environmental disaster (poisonous drinking water). In other words, they are like most people in the world.
All of these are needed: Communication leading to trust, addressing racism, good new ideas, good government, civic tech, motivational support for, well, everyone’s sincere efforts. Seeing Flint Town, the potential for each of these endeavors is clear. In fact you see how inadequate it is to think of government budgets as the key to creating the future we want.
Success will come from millions of micro-actions by people like you and us. May Flint Town be a catalyst (or further motivation) for your own self-serving and society-saving actions.
See it: Netflix
“Better You” Value: Society !!!! Extraordinary Ordinary People!! History!!
