
We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest
2020

2013
Director
Dawn Porter
Runtime
96 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Follows three young, committed Public Defenders who are dedicated to working for the people society would rather forget. Long hours, low pay and staggering caseloads are so common that even the most committed often give up.
Overall Score
Good
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film does not center on queer narratives or LGBTQ+ identities. It maintains a neutral stance, focusing instead on racial and socioeconomic dimensions of the legal system.
Gender Representation
Women are depicted as primary agents of change within high-stakes legal environments. The film disrupts patriarchal tropes by showcasing female public defenders with significant intellectual agency.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The documentary excels by centering a predominantly Black cast of legal professionals. It explores how systemic bias disproportionately impacts Black communities through the lived experiences of its subjects.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The narrative offers a sophisticated critique of Western institutional frameworks. It highlights the friction between state authority and marginalized citizens to question the equity of American institutions.
Disability Representation
The film touches on socioeconomic vulnerabilities within the justice system. However, it lacks a dedicated or nuanced exploration of physical disabilities or neurodivergence.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Dawn Porter’s documentary is a powerful examination of systemic inequality, successfully shifting agency from the state to marginalized individuals. By centering Black legal professionals, the film moves beyond simple inclusion to provide a deep critique of how the judicial system impacts minority communities. The film's strength lies in its intentionality regarding race and social justice. It effectively challenges the idea of legal institutions as neutral arbiters, instead framing them as structures that can perpetuate bias. While the film is highly effective in its racial and cultural critiques, it remains relatively narrow in scope. It does not actively engage with LGBTQ+ identities or provide a nuanced look at disability, focusing its energy almost entirely on the intersection of race, class, and the law.

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