The Black Response asks ‘Where Do Black Men Live?'

Boston Globe

18-06-2025

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'The stories are really rich and important,' Guirand said. 'And for me, one of my commitments in doing the project — and I was really held accountable by the participants — was that I would share the stories back with the community.'
Film still from "Where Do Black Men Live?"
Corinne Spencer
As The Black Response prepares for its third screening of the film and first Juneteenth Festival in Cambridge Common, Guirand is keeping her promise.
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At the past two screenings at
She said she hopes the film continues to be a catalyst for people to share their experiences and dismantle the narrative that the Cambridge community is solely affluent people.
'I think telling these stories and making it real shows that there are marginalized people everywhere,' Guirand said. 'Especially in these times, it's really important to document those stories and sit in community together and share and listen, and that's what we're hoping that people do, especially on Juneteenth.'
Recently,
'I think this film is going to help people to reflect,' Guirand said. 'Hearing these stories, seeing these men, it makes it more real. It reminds people that these things are happening in one of the most affluent cities in the world and it's really important, and I'm incredibly grateful that we get the opportunity to do it.'
The film serves as the opening to The Black Response's Juneteenth Festival. That morning, parents can drop their children off at a childcare service provided by the organization in Cambridge Common and go watch the film at the Brattle Theatre.
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Afterwards festival-goers can partake in conversations about the film's themes as they enjoy free food, live music, and spoken word performances, and explore the numerous community groups tabling throughout Cambridge Common.
There will also be a 3-D printed mockup of a monument by Haitian artist Woodly Caymitte on display that The Black Response hopes to erect in the future. The monument is intended to symbolize the hope for true freedom from mass incarceration one day.
Guirand said the monument will serve as a place for people to reflect on the toll mass incarceration takes and the people who have fought against it.
Along with the sculpture, the installation will incorporate excerpts of interviews with formerly incarcerated people about their experiences.
Guirand said she hopes the film, the celebration, and the monument stand as a call to action.
Juneteenth is a day for reflecting on those who were enslaved and remembering there is still more work to be done, she said.
'Coming to our event, a free community event, is an opportunity to plug into that as a source for collective reflection and to refuel and then get to work with like community people to make change,' Guirand said.
The Black Response's Juneteenth Festival, June 19,
from 12:30
to 4 p.m. For more information,
.