“I don’t want my son to be that next hashtag.” – Amir Abdul-Shakur

Message To Zaire explores the story of Nancy and Amir Abdul-Shakur, a young, professional, Afro-Latino-Muslim couple in Oakland, California whose little boy Zaire dreams of becoming a police officer. This short film follows the family to school, community events and public rallies as Nancy and Amir seek to support Zaire’s aspirations while teaching him to view the police as both an ally and a possible source of danger.

Message To Zaire is one of six short stories that make up the PBS anthology film THE TALK, examining how families of color deal with the dangers of police violence.