Boom P and cast, signed, sealed and delivered a show of the highest magnitude and content, on a low budget with great acting. It is a show with aspects of the streets, but with socially responsible commentary, relation to current issues, and shedding light on racism, homophobia, colorist, classism, emotional intelligence and actual diversity.
Being an urban show, it's hard not to compare it to shows like Money and Violence (shout out to MIzz), the Wire, and New York Undercover (Throw back), but there is a broad difference between what they presented and what Respect Life does. The past shows, did not highlight the humanity of the characters from the urban areas. It was always portrayed in a black and white fashion. If a character kills, and is involved in financially motivated crimes, their humanity is usually never highlighted, and in the rare occasion it is, it's always related to a personal romantic relationship, or to a family member that the story would be tied to as their "reason" for living the way that they do which is simply not true, and disregards the humanity of people from, living, and working in these areas of society.
Whilst in Respect Life, a picture is painted of a community advocate, that's intertwined in the streets, but also brings a positive message of hope to their community. On one of the episodes highlighting homophobia(yes, there is more than one), the main Character Melo(played by Boom P), has a dialog with another character about what if his son told him that he was gay. The other character said he'd kill him, and Melo, let him know how ignorant and decisive that was. Other social commentary includes the segregation of Spanish speaking people from the Caribbean vs Black Americans, if you're from NYC or anywhere that this dynamic exists, you know what I'm talking about. This show does a great job at shedding light on this social issue and the character Melo, is Panamanian I believe, and being bilingual in Spanish and English, destroys people's perceptions of what that translates to on film.
In closing, this show is great because it is not demonizing people from urban areas, disrespecting women, isn't homophobic, is actually diverse, and doesn't actually glorify the street life. It's just a show for adults, that happens to take place in an urban environment, not a show about an urban environment glorifying street life, big difference.
I'm looking forward to this show returning this year. I think they're on season 4 but it may be 3. If you haven't checked it out, please do in the new year, worth the wait and the watch. Shout out to all the cast and crew thanks for all your hard work and dedication.
Being an urban show, it's hard not to compare it to shows like Money and Violence (shout out to MIzz), the Wire, and New York Undercover (Throw back), but there is a broad difference between what they presented and what Respect Life does. The past shows, did not highlight the humanity of the characters from the urban areas. It was always portrayed in a black and white fashion. If a character kills, and is involved in financially motivated crimes, their humanity is usually never highlighted, and in the rare occasion it is, it's always related to a personal romantic relationship, or to a family member that the story would be tied to as their "reason" for living the way that they do which is simply not true, and disregards the humanity of people from, living, and working in these areas of society.
Whilst in Respect Life, a picture is painted of a community advocate, that's intertwined in the streets, but also brings a positive message of hope to their community. On one of the episodes highlighting homophobia(yes, there is more than one), the main Character Melo(played by Boom P), has a dialog with another character about what if his son told him that he was gay. The other character said he'd kill him, and Melo, let him know how ignorant and decisive that was. Other social commentary includes the segregation of Spanish speaking people from the Caribbean vs Black Americans, if you're from NYC or anywhere that this dynamic exists, you know what I'm talking about. This show does a great job at shedding light on this social issue and the character Melo, is Panamanian I believe, and being bilingual in Spanish and English, destroys people's perceptions of what that translates to on film.
In closing, this show is great because it is not demonizing people from urban areas, disrespecting women, isn't homophobic, is actually diverse, and doesn't actually glorify the street life. It's just a show for adults, that happens to take place in an urban environment, not a show about an urban environment glorifying street life, big difference.
I'm looking forward to this show returning this year. I think they're on season 4 but it may be 3. If you haven't checked it out, please do in the new year, worth the wait and the watch. Shout out to all the cast and crew thanks for all your hard work and dedication.
