Traffic Stop

“This starts off with some dash-cam footage from inside a police car as a black woman is told to stay in her vehicle and open her trunk. She gets out of the car, having been told that she is being stopped for speeding, and tells the white cop that "technically" she has parked. That appears to irritate the man and what now ensues sees a violent confrontation during which he uses what would have to be described as excessive force while she certainly isn't complying with his instructions. The remainder of this tells a story, from her perspoective, of the racial undertones to this altercation - but is it realistic? She is always referred to by her Christian name, he by his surname. She is presented as a church-going, butter wouldn't melt type whilst we learn nothing at all about this man. Maybe he was a volunteer at a local soup kitchen? His instructions to her, via the car's megaphone, were clear. Why didn't she just do as she was asked? Was she speeding? Was he provoked or is he just a thug in a uniform? She insists on having a black cop because she doesn't trust those present. Where might any racism actually lie, here? My problem with this whole film was that I felt like I was being manouvered. There are some fairly obvious lies presented to us, but not just from one side and it's curious that none of the police are interviewed, piece-to-camera style, as she is. The conclusion informs us that the legal process is still ongoing and in the end I wasn't sure if the purpose here was to highlight the plight of folks of colour in the USA going about their business or to reinforce a manufactured political point.”