Cry of a Dreamer Film

This is my true story about how I was placed in solitary confinement and accused of planning to bomb my school in 3rd grade.

This film will be my debut as a dramatic storyteller. It’s important that this film encapsulates a black story that is wholly original and expresses another side of the coin to what we have faced in our lives.

I used to never tell anyone I was adopted. I rather they decided who I was than who I was raised by. I was one of only two black kids in my elementary school who also lived in my town. My parents moved me to Concord, Massachusetts under the impression that it was a diverse area. Unfortunately the only other black population in Concord is the state prison. I struggled with connecting with anyone in my school. Most either hang out with me to get my approval for racist jokes or others just outright avoid me because I was placed in the SPED classrooms because of my dyslexia.

For years after, the memories I had then had been suppressed and blacked out. For a time I thought that there would be no lasting impression, that it wasn’t as bad as I thought and others like me have it worse. One day in my senior year of high school I was reminded by my mom about what happened to me in 3rd grade. She then proceeded to explain that many things came from that one event that changed the course for my life.

The principle at my elementary school had said to my mom “Well If he didn’t do it why didn't he speak up”. Proof from a mental health professional and multiple therapy sessions were done to get it clear that I wasn’t considered a threat. The only way they felt safe is if they knew I wasn't a danger to the school. Thankfully we were such a pain in her ass, we got them to pay for private schooling because they couldn’t accommodate me. They had broken the Americans with Disabilities Act which was a huge deal for them. A month after the incident, mediation took place. The incident was raised in the meeting by my mom and they caved quickly. In a twist of beautiful irony that the mediator had also adopted a kid from Ethiopia.

With this film I wanted to reinterpret the vivid and vague memories of that traumatic and fateful day in order to describe to others and to myself what the consequences are for seemingly normal childish behavior in this world are for people like me. I want to show what can be lost at such a young age. At the time I felt alone but never understood why, but now I realize that I was alone for a reason I couldn’t control, my race. We, as people, strive to silence and destroy one another, by ridiculing each other for the thoughts we somehow show to the world. I want to display my sensibilities as a writer when it comes to creating characters, without a need for them to speak, as well as my willingness to dedicate myself to physical, non verbal, and facial performances. We label the ones we should never pray for, and their love for this life no longer lingers.