One to Watch: ‘The Fire Next Time,’ a Film About the ‘Lesbian Wolf Pack’ and How the System Failed Them
This is a story that needs to be told.
Back in 2006, four New Jersey women got into a violent altercation with a man in New York’s Greenwich Village. According to the women, they were merely defending themselves after being harassed by Dwayne Buckle. The attack left Buckle with a stab wound and the women on trial for attempted murder.
The story of that fateful afternoon is the subject of the forthcoming documentary, The Fire This Time by filmmaker Blair Doroshwalther. The film takes a look at the incident from the women’s points of view, giving them a chance to tell their truths after being lambasted in the media and called a “lesbian wolf pack.”
Shadow & Act gives more details:
The Fire This Time tells the story of the women’s trial and prison sentences, and the years-long fight by relatives and activists to get the women released, revealing how the media, homophobia, and racism all work together in American culture to stigmatize and victimize gay people of color.
Doroshwalther received a grant from the Sundance Institute to finish the film, and according to its website, it’s currently in post-production.
The Fire This Time is expected to premier later this year and from the looks of the trailer, it’s definitely a must-see.
This is difficult to call it’s their word against his, but I am glad that they did get to their side of the story out. As for the press especially the NY press once they take a side right or wrong they will make the other side out to be like animals.
Look at this quote, “In an instant, four tough lesbians from New Jersey were transformed into crying convicts yesterday after being found guilty of pummeling a filmmaker in Greenwich Village last summer.” If that’s not slanted I don’t know what is.
No one gave them or as the comments above indicate are giving them the benefit of the doubt because they are Black women and because they are masculine appearing to some. That’s two strikes already.
We can’t ignore or sweep under the rug the growing amount of black lesbian gangs and individuals who feel because the dress like a man think they are a man. Case in point the McDonalds incident when the woman jumped over the counter and then I got handled by the guy behind it. This seems like some boohoo propaganda to me
@Stef
Where is your evidence of “the growing amount of black lesbian gangs…”? You cite that incident at McDonald’s to prove your theory but that’s just one incident.
You are making sweeping generalizations based on one or two incidents the same way White racists do about Black people.
I agree, Val.
Wow, the comments here!!
If the women were straight, how would you have felt? Would you have rallied against all those men who taunted you with nasty innuendos when you were young?
Why not wait to hear their side of the story? Why so against it? Why the anger and disbelief?
This could even lead to a discussion about the disproportionate number of women – especially women of color – who get sentences that are twice as severe as men get for committing the same crimes because they do not fit the “dainty women” paradigm.
No, instead there seems to be more black women on black women dismissal here. Let them tell their stories. You never know what you’ll learn about yourself and your prejudices till you do.
I agree, Jus’ Sayin’.
I for one did follow the story as it unfolded and there was a great deal of derision and disbelief directed at the man in this case as well. He was looked at as not a “real” victim then later as a wimp for pressing charges and testifying.
Let’s talk about violence and harassment on the part of black females. If you’ve ever been jumped or threatened by a group of girls, you’ll know what I mean. Add to that, a new form of aggression by people who just so happen to be gay and female. I have personally witnessed female-on-female sexual harassment, where a teen girl walking by herself was catcalled and propositioned by a group of masculine styled young women. There are women who have taken on the worst qualities of men, violence, imitative patriarchy and aggression.
What did other witnesses say?