The Outsiders?

Chapter one opens with a big question, based on one of the central pillars of the United States Constitution. Something that all of us living democratic lives in the West are guided and abide by, that states, that 'All Men Are Created Equal' and that equality is a basic right belonging to all human beings. Frederick begins the series with one of the most incisive questions to ever open a documentary, by asking his cast 'If they believe that All Men, are in fact created equal?' What follows are poignant stories of traumatic moments when innocent childhood dreams and desires are shattered, as our cast reveal when they understood that for Black people, all men are NOT equal.

Chapter two, opens as Frederick asks THEOUTSIDERS? A very insightful question. If they've ever felt like they were going mad?' All are thrown by this question. There's a variety of reactions. All shocked, that a secret has been revealed, a reality they know all too well, but until now they had never been confronted by. Walking a road that others cannot see, is a precarious occupation. Fraught with self doubt and struggles with mental health, that comes with being able to see a future for themselves, that is beyond the small boxes of expectations that family, race, education, class, tradition and religion define. Combine that with childhood traumas that include genocide, kidnap, police brutality and a legacy of violence against black people, and we see how our cast have grown up under the shadow of turbulent times and still managed to walk their own paths.

Of course, there is a game and for THEOUTSIDERS? 'Assimilation' is the name of that game. As the cast delves into the nuances of the 'Game', we understand that for Black people and in particular THEOUTSIDERS? the game is a complex myriad of 'Colourism' 'Code switching' and 'Rules' that are rigged against them. Rules that have dictated for centuries, for example how Black Women In particular can and can't wear their natural hair, that still exists today. Knowing that if you break rules, to speak out, and to speak up, will have you labelled as 'Angry black person. But for THEOUTSIDERS?, they've understood, that for them, success means creating new rules in which to navigate the choppy waters of the game.

In this episode we see how the THEOUTSIDERS? ignore the dissenting voices of the naysayers and the ever present voice of self-doubt and insecurity that exists in their own minds. They're now motivated by something much bigger, an unquenchable, compelling need to take a leap of faith and to answer the question they keep asking themselves 'Do I do or Do I Die'? This mantra see's this generation at the forefront of a new revolution. This is the evolution of the new of activists, Musicians, Writers and content creators. They are the D.I.Y. Generation, doing it themselves, using social media as a tool for social and economic advancement. that sees them creating new things out of no way, tearing up the rule book, compelled to follow the mantra 'Do I do or Do I Die?'

All the hard work is paying off. For the first time in their lives THEOUTSIDERS? are truly being seen and celebrated for the way they look, what they say, what they do, create and produce. The struggle was worth it. They are now being admired by the people they admire and the establishments that had once written them off, can't get enough of these new found visionaries that they now claim as their own. They are now invited into illustrious rooms, they have seats at many tables and their phones are blowing up, they're hot. But with great power comes great responsibility, that in the current climate can see hard earned careers "cancelled' or see them being accused of selling out by those within their own communities that see their success as a threat. Recognition and fame come with new challenges and THEOUTSIDERS? Must face these. As Black creators shaping history and winning awards they face and feel the unique challenge that comes with Black success. The responsibility that they are expected to represent the views of all Black people, are answered in this deeply inspiring penultimate episode.

For these new generations, of THEOUTSIDERS?, dreamers and others. The originality of Black Culture has spawned a new confidence and interconnectivity derived from the transformative and creative use of social media that has brought Black cultures together from continent to island to continent in ways that simply couldn't have existed for earlier generations. Black youth are generating and sharing new ideas that are changing the word culture everyday and THEOUTSIDERS? are at the forefront of the evolution of Black Culture that has become bigger than the word culture. For them Black Culture has become the predominant "Culture." It has currency, it has value, it has cool. But this success comes with a caveat and that became abundantly clear on May 25, 2020 when George Floyd was murdered. THEOUTSIDERS? talk passionately about how this moment, monumentally impacted on them and how they're now using their new found voices and platforms to bring about real change, but they're also aware that the appetite for the corporate world to live up to commitments and public statements to address structural racism in society, made after Mr Floyd's Murder is sadly no longer a priority for these organisations. THEOUTSIDERS? are motivated. They have the answers. A fire has been lit, change is coming and they are the fire lighters at the forefront of burning a path to change.