Watch What Killed Michael Brown?

What Killed Michael Brown? is a feature-length documentary that premiered in 2020, starring and narrated by Shelby Steele, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Steele, who is also an author, columnist, and documentary filmmaker, has built his career studying race relations, multiculturalism, and affirmative action in the United States. In this documentary, Steele examines the complex and deeply contentious issues surrounding race, society, and identity politics, particularly within the context of modern America.

The backdrop of the documentary is the tragic event that occurred on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, when Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African American man, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. The incident sparked widespread civil unrest and became a flashpoint for a national debate on police brutality, systemic racism, and the Black Lives Matter movement. However, the documentary approaches the subject matter through a different lens, seeking to delve deeper into the societal narratives that define the racial discourse in America.

Shelby Steele, who has written extensively on the subject of race, brings his perspective into the conversation by challenging what he believes are popular misconceptions and simplifications that drive the public's understanding of such incidents. The film features Steele's exploration into the broader context surrounding Michael Brown's death, casting a critical eye on what he perceives to be the damaging effects of liberal social policies, and the perpetuation of a victim mentality among blacks in America.

Steele argues that the prevailing narrative of systemic racism and oppression is too simplistic and does not take into account the complex interplay of socio-economic, cultural, and personal responsibility factors that affect black communities in the United States. The film posits that the narrative offered by civil rights activists and the media often overlooks nuanced truths, thereby failing to accurately diagnose or address the root causes of racial disparities.

What Killed Michael Brown? seeks to dissect the narratives around race relations through interviews with individuals who have varying perspectives on these issues. This includes community leaders, scholars, activists, and residents of Ferguson, who offer their reflections and analyses on the situation. Steele places the events in Ferguson within a broader historical context, drawing comparisons to past civil rights battles and questioning the progress that has been made.

The documentary is structured around Steele's personal journey as he travels through Ferguson and other locales, providing narration and commentary that frames the testimonies and interviews presented in the film. The use of archival footage, images, and documents complements the narrative laid out by Steele, offering viewers a multi-layered look into the complexities of identity, culture, and politics.

Steele's perspective is controversial, and the documentary makes no secret of its intention to provoke thought and challenge the viewer's preconceived notions about race in America. It is evident that Shelby Steele's position is that of a contrarian, and he uses the documentary format as a medium to argue that a shift away from what he terms the "grievance industry" could lead to more meaningful and positive outcomes for black Americans.

What Killed Michael Brown? addresses themes such as the significance of personal agency and the role that government assistance programs play in the African American community. Steele also touches upon the concept of 'white guilt' and its consequences on public policy and attitudes towards race relations. The film posits that the culpability assigned to white America for historical injustices has shaped the socio-political landscape in ways that may not necessarily benefit those it aims to help.

The documentary's production quality delivers a clear and concise narrative, driven by Steele's somber voice-over and the poignant testimonies of those whose lives have been affected by the enduring racial divide in America. The soundtrack and cinematography work in tandem to evoke the emotional weight of the subject matter and underscore the gravity of the issues discussed.

What Killed Michael Brown? has been subject to polarized responses, reflecting the divisive nature of the topics it explores. Supporters praise the film for presenting a bold and unorthodox viewpoint, while critics argue that it fails to acknowledge the realities of racial injustice or the validity of movements like Black Lives Matter.

Ultimately, the viewer is left to grapple with the challenging questions raised by the film. What Killed Michael Brown? is designed to be a provocative examination of one of the most pressing and complex social issues of our time, offering a distinctive and potentially contentious contribution to the ongoing discourse on race in America.

What Killed Michael Brown? is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.