If your life was unjustly taken today, what would you want your friends to do? How could your community rally behind your name, and continue to fight for your life? While this may seem a bit morbid in tone, it’s necessary to center our minds on the current state of justice, and truly reflect on the life of Breonna Taylor.
The Block caught up with Jasmine Riana of Ensoulmedia to discuss her recent sit-down with the best friends of Breonna Taylor. Riana organized a video set at Duppandswat, where Marnissa and Alena Battle were given the opportunity to share a different story that media outlets won’t broadcast; a tale of true friendship, and a relentless display of love for her life.
Riana first met Marnissa and Alena when she organized a silent protest in Taylor’s memory in early May of 2020, in Charlotte, NC. In the midst of the George Floyd protests taking place nationally, Riana felt a disproportionate focus was on Black women’s lives and knew she could no longer wait for others to speak up.
“Black women tend to always be a subcategory, when we should be the category,” Riana told The Block.
She decided to turn the interview into a mini documentary, and center it around the life of Breonna Taylor so that the world can see the faces of her best friends and hear their story.
“I need people to know that Breonna is more than a headline, her life matters.”
The silent protest held in May, served as a stance of power and unity for women. Riana aimed to create a space for women to be able to talk to one another, mourn and process all the emotions connected to Taylor’s case. Marnissa and Alena marched with attendees while the names of 53 women of color who lost their lives to police brutality and injustice, were chanted.
As tensions of the George Floyd case heightened, many questioned the silent nature of the protest, believing it needed to be loud and angry.
“We don’t have to be hyper masculine,” Riana explained. “We can stand in our pink and be taken seriously in silence if we choose. There’s different levels to protest.” .
Filming has become that next level of protest for Riana. She recalls connecting with Breonna’s best friends via social media after the protest, and how the images they shared on their timeline reflected a young woman that could have easily been a friend of hers as well.
“Seeing videos, pictures and statuses that depicted their feelings made it a reality for me.”
Riana saw first hand, the frustration and pain that Marnissa, Alena and other friends and family had to deal with on a daily basis— after hearing inaccurate news about Taylor shared on outlets. This was more cause to create the mini-doc and become a source of truth for all her loved ones.
“This is someone who had family and friends that loved them so much, and they’re not here anymore,” Riana said. “During filming, Marnissa and Alena shared countless memories that spoke of a genuine friendship.”
This is the beauty that Riana wants the world to see. She believes that sometimes friends know you better than family, and the stories told by friends can shine light on who we are.
Riana found peace in listening to Taylor’s friends share about past memories and good times. After filming concluded, she reflected on the interview and how the casual, jovial tone of the beginning, quickly shifted as the somber details were shared about the last day they saw and spoke with Taylor.
She has lost several close friends, including a close friend that was killed by a distracted driver. She recalls starting a new job on the day her best friend passed, and having to report on that very traffic incident, unbeknownst that her friend was involved.
“I wish someone had taken the time to hear me out and let me vent. Our moments together meant so much to me. I found it imperative that Marnissa and Alena speak about Breonna, and share their memories. “
The mini documentary about Breonna Taylor is stated to be released October 2020 on Riana’s website and YouTube channel.
She is hoping to spark a deeper connection for individuals who view the work, and aims to heighten sincerity in the concern for Black lives and for individuals to understand the importance of showing up for each other in the community.
