Two Sides

Two Sides is a groundbreaking four-part docuseries from TV One, first aired in 2018, which explicitly delves into controversial police-related fatalities within the African American community. The series masterfully combines narration, interviews, and archival footage to provide an enlightening and comprehensive exploration of incidents that have sparked national protest and outrage.

The purpose of Two Sides is not to rehash the widely disseminated information, rather it pushes to provide a new perspective on the events to provoke a broader conversation about addressing this recurring problem. It seeks to investigate the complexities involved in these high-profile cases, not through the typically polarized lens but rather by presenting a comprehensive picture of the incidents in question.

The title "Two Sides" encapsulates the overall premise by looking into the point-of-view of both law enforcement and victim’s families, hence providing an unbiased take on these incidents. Each episode centers around one controversial encounter leading to the tragic loss of life. Notable cases detailed in the series include those of Eric Garner, Ezell Ford, Sandra Bland, and John Crawford III, among others.

One of the primary focuses of the series is raising awareness about the narrative often omitted from mainstream media. Often, the coverage surrounding these cases gets clouded by politics and public opinion, while the human lives affected and the systemic issues behind these incidents are left in the margins. The series aims to shed light on the victims' personalities, their ambitions, their battles, their dreams & hopes which have been brutally cut short. It paints a humanizing portrait that extends beyond the often stigmatizing headlines.

Two sides does not focus solely on the victims' perspective, though. It provides a balanced view by also delving into the viewpoint of law enforcement officers involved in these cases. It tries to narrate the exigencies and dilemmas they face on a daily basis. Their stories of split-second decision-making, stress, fear and accountability seek to underline law enforcement struggles operating in tense situations.

Two sides is not a simple recounting of tragic tales, it is a profound examination of systemic issues plaguing American society. It grapples with the broader historical and societal context that breeds these destructive encounters. Discussions revolve around topics like racial profiling, the militarization of police, faulty police training, flaws in the judicial process and legal system, media's role and the resulting public's perception. The series adopts a problem-solving approach by promoting dialogue on possible reforms in street-level police work, policy changes, and accountability practices.

The series features interviews from family members, activists, law enforcement personnel, journalists, legal experts, public figures, and academics. Their collective insights bolster the storytelling process by providing multiple perspectives on the same incident, creating a more complex and nuanced narrative. The diverse pool of interviewees ensures a balanced and objective analysis of these tragic cases.

Each episode of Two Sides is narrated by Academy Award-winner Viola Davis, bringing an emotional gravitas to the storytelling. The series is directed by Keith Beauchamp, an acclaimed filmmaker known for his work exploring similar themes of social justice and racial inequality.

Two Sides makes an effort to change the conversation by presenting an unbiased, balanced and comprehensive perspective on controversial police-related fatalities. It fosters a dialogue on ways to prevent such incidents in the future by tackling the social, historical, and systemic issues that lead to these tragic encounters. It confronts the divisive perspectives surrounding these events and attempts to bridge the gap between them, provoking thought and stimulating discussion on a critical issue facing modern American society. It is a series that is both deeply moving and urgently relevant.

Overall, Two Sides is a powerful, insightful, and thought-provoking series that deftly pushes beyond the noise and fervor of public opinion to shed light on the human stories behind the tragic and controversial headlines. The series underscores the urgent need for conversation, understanding, and systemic change to address the ongoing issue of police-involved fatalities within the African American community. It is an important series, contributing to conversations and actions related to racial justice, policing, and reform.