76 Dean Street

I had the privilege of attending a special screening of The Perfect Neighbor and speaking on a panel, hosted by @cocoagirlbrand @netflixuk . Directed by Geeta Gandbhir, this documentary unravels the devastating killing of Ajike “AJ” Owens - a devoted mother to four vibrant, young children. I’ve truly never seen a film like it. Told almost entirely through raw police body camera footage and 911 audio, it immerses you in a type of pervasive violence that’s painfully unfiltered. My take aways were: 1. The system isn’t built to protect everyone equally. We saw, through stark footage and painful testimony, how justice can be delayed, denied, or distorted - especially when race is involved. 2. Harmful adults need to be held to account - we need to teach our children how to keep safe in the community, to identify trusted adults and know when to intervene. 3. Community can provide power, strength, advocacy, protection and demand justice. 4. Storytelling is a powerful tool for raising awareness and change. 5. We need to foster trust, emotional literacy and psychological safety in our homes so our children feel able to discuss with us things that are going on for them. 6. Let children be innocent, joyful and playful. For racialised children who are often adultified and have their innocence shattered from having to understand and experience racism from a young age, this is even more key. 7. Don’t shy away from talking to children about traumatic events. Stick to the facts, validate their feelings, listen and respond as best as you can to their questions, normalise your own emotional response and create space for their feelings. It’s okay to not know what to say or for them to see you upset. 8. Look after yourself in times of crisis. Think about what self-care, boundaries, self-preservation and a safe community mean for you. Seek the support you need, whatever this may be. This film is harrowing to say the least. If you get the chance to watch it, do so with care. It doesn’t just ask you to bear witness - it demands reflection, healing, action and community engagement.