ACT I – How others view us In Act I, the definition of “respectability politics” will be discussed. The title will be illustrated this way (with the term respectability politics coming into view and its definition following.) The documentary will open with footage of a conflict between black youth in a popular movie. (May use archival footage from the movie “Coolie High”). The expert will be a professor (preferably Afrocentric) whose courses include racial topics. This person will act as the authority of the piece. The expert will discuss self- flagellation and its place in popular culture. Major characters will be introduced. Subject I will be a young male, between the ages of 21 and 26. Subject II will be a young female with relaxed hair, between the ages of 21 and 26. Their stories will interweave. The documentary will open with a close up of the male. Then there will be a pan down of his attire to fully show the way that he is presenting himself to others. Next, the young female will be introduced in the same manner. I am searching for a subject who may view natural hair negatively. She will explain her look and how she chooses to wear her hair. [ Footage from a cypher (explanation at the bottom of page) to link the two acts] ACT II – How we view ourselves – ACT II will take us through a day in the life of both subjects and how they interact with their peers. Focus will be on how they speak, dress and are treated by others. Subject II will discuss how people on the streets treat him when he walks by, and maybe how potential employers treat him. 1. Subject II will discuss her decision not to go natural in a time where it is all the rage, especially at an HBCU. Hopefully her decision was based off of her own ideals. Subject I will discuss her own experience and pick a side – yes or no to respectability politics. (filming will she is doing her hair or in a hair store/ salon would be ideal) 2. Subject I will speak of his own experience and pick a side – yes or no to respectability politics and to what degree. He will speak of his college experience and what role “RP” has played in his daily life. 3. Subject III will discuss preference vs. prejudice in the black community. He or she will also tackle issues in his life relating to social stratification and how the black community, through his eyes, tear one another down. [ Footage from a cypher (explanation at the bottom of page) to link the two acts] ACT III – What we can do to change Subject II will have the opportunity to speak at length about his social inequality campaign. Subject III (The expert) will give her take on what we can do to change the way we view ourselves in the black community. I would also like to include footage from a cypher, an event I plan to host that will invite artists, musicians, rappers, singers, and poets to come together to showcase their own views of respectability politics and what we can do to change/ alter / or amend the behavior. [ Footage from a cypher (explanation at the bottom of page) will play as the closing credits are displayed]