This Is [Not] Who We Are

"The happiest place in America is Boulder, Colorado"

This Is [Not] Who We Are explores the gap between Boulder, Colorado's progressive self-image and the lived experiences of its small but resilient Black community. Boulder is emblematic of predominantly white communities that profess an inclusive ethic but live in a segregated reality. The film explores the intersecting issues of land use, affordability, racial and class-based segregation, youth issues, education, and policing, which combine to reveal deeply entrenched, if not entirely intended, structural inequalities that have reverberated through multiple generations.

University student Zayd Atkinson was cleaning up the grounds of his dorm— duties of his work-study job— when he was threatened by eight police officers with guns drawn. He lived to tell the story that many Black men often do not survive. As the riveting body-cam footage of this encounter went viral, Atkinson's story sparked a reckoning for this progressive town as the implicit biases of its institutions and the continuation of its broader history were laid bare.

Although Black people have continuously lived in Boulder for nearly 150 years, their history has been largely marginalized. Black families faced discrimination in various fields throughout Boulder, and by the 1920s the city became a rallying point for the Ku Klux Klan. Although the particulars of Boulder's history are unique, its social trajectory into the 21st century is representative of many other cities across the US that struggle to reconcile their liberal policies with the reality of their communities.

By sharing the voices of Boulder's Black community, with those featured ranging in age from 12 to 78, the film shows how deeply the roots of institutional racism are embedded and opens a pathway for dialogue, insight, and positive change. Some stories are searing while others are hopeful. Seeking to open a space for dialogue among Boulderites and those in similar cities, This Is [Not] Who We Are asks if a more equitable and diverse future is possible not just in Boulder, Colorado, but across America.

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FILMMAKERS' STATEMENT: "We began this project four years ago, just before Boulder police profiled Naropa student Zayd Atkinson. I realized I knew very little about the history and experiences of Boulder's Black community. I set off on a learning journey. I've lived in Boulder for decades. Most of us here in Boulder wish we provided all residents with a deep sense of belonging. The film is an exploration of the gap between our words and our behavior. The film takes a deep look at how our community was created to be elitist and how that has resulted in a painful legacy of anti-Black racism.

We made this film not just for the people of Boulder, but for those of other cities with struggles not unlike ours. Viewers who watch our film will, we hope, be moved to engage in self-reflection, productive dialogue, and transformational action wherever they live."

"I started working in video production at 18. That passion brought me to Boulder where I had no idea what I was stepping into. Although the university had everything I wanted in terms of my education, it was isolating being the only Black person in the room everywhere I went.

I want this film to help overcome the culture of denial that keeps this white city homogenous, drives out Black talent, and turns away prospective talent. I want this city to be a safe place for my children and all children. I hope we spark deeper conversations around belonging, inclusion, and leadership."