Unapologetic Discussion Guide

Meet Janaé and Bella, two fierce abolitionists whose upbringing and experiences shape their activism and views on Black liberation. Through their lens, Unapologetic provides an inside look into the ongoing movement work that transformed Chicago, from the police murder of Rekia Boyd to the election of mayor Lori Lightfoot. Official Selection, DOC NYC Film Festival.

This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection and designed for people who want to use Unapologetic to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and communities in conversations about racial justice, community organizing, feminism, and justice beyond punishment and imprisonment. In contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.

Janaé Bonsu, PhD, is an activist, researcher, and licensed social worker from Columbia, South Carolina. Bonsu’s activism and scholarship are grounded in her personal experiences as a survivor of violence and familial incarceration and her commitment to an abolitionist praxis that does not rely on the prison industrial complex for safety. Bonsu earned a PhD from the University of Illinois-Chicago. She is currently the director of research and advocacy at the National Black Women’s Justice Institute.