The murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor (and countless others) by police officers have catalyzed a national debate and mass collective action about police use of deadly force and the ways in which police violence impacts communities of color. 

 

During these tumultuous and emotionally raw times, as filmmakers and content creators, it is often our first instinct to throw a camera over our shoulders and rush into the fray. But we must, with open eyes and open hearts, ask ourselves: Is profiting from images of violence perpetrated against brown and black bodies ethical or is it re-enforcing a system of silent institutional racism, white privilege and expanding the gap of economic opportunity that is often a barrier to breaking into our industry? 

 

For anyone who makes a living in the film and television industry it is intellectually dishonest to pretend that the ranks of our field crews, broadcast and post production facilities truly reflect the demographics, not just of our audience but, of the nation itself. The sad truth is that they do not. Actual representation, very often, does not match the values we claim to stand for. 

 

Many of us wonder - what can  we do to help?  The list is myriad. We can vote, we can donate. We can march in solidarity. We can listen. We can amplify voices other than our own. We can follow. As members of the film and television industry we can also set aside our own ambitions and lend our skills to amplify voices of color. 

 

That is where Ally Media Assets comes in.