WHITE MAN WALKING film review

Activism and allyship can come in various forms and levels of effectiveness. The film, “White Man Walking” puts a spotlight on a worthy cause, a creative form of protest, and an unexpected ally. In the aftermath of the tragic killing of George Floyd in 2020, many took to the streets across America in outrage and solidarity with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and messaging. Documentary filmmaker Rob Bliss also took to the streets, but in a very different and lone method of activism.

“White Man Walking” follows Bliss, who is White and the film’s co-director, as he traverses on foot across several red/trump leaning states wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt.  He begins in the deep South, with the intention of covering 1500 miles, concluding in Washington D.C. at the BLM plaza. The front of his black t-shirt was bold white print proclaiming Black Lives Matter, while the back more quietly featured the homemade sign pleading, “Come Walk With Me.” Along the way, he is open to all sorts of reaction to his method and messaging, expecting to engage in meaningful conversation at the very least, but hoping to get some people to actually walk along with him at best. It came as no surprise to Bliss, and probably any Black person who watches this film, the amount of times the phrase, “White lives matter” was thrown out in defense, and how pervasive the ignorance around the BLM phrasing and the movement’s goals is. What did come as a surprise, however, was how hostile many were to him, including multiple times being threatened by people brandishing guns, and the ease with which many White people use the “n” word. The audacity of a White man promoting a “Black cause.”

Balancing things out, were the encounters of kindness, gratitude and support he received, some even coming from actual Trump voters. Case in point, Finley is a former Obama-voting Democrat from Central Ohio but now has unabashedly turned MAGA Republican. Bliss notices him on the side of road in his pick-up truck donned with Trump flags and pro-gun posters. When Bliss introduces himself and asks about his truck and political marketing, Finley is actually cordial and explains why he changed his political affiliation. Likewise, Finley asks Bliss about his journey and BLM. They both get their fair share of negative comments from passersby. They both take it in stride and give friendly smiles and waves back. Before Bliss continues on his walk, he asks Finley if he’ll walk with him for a few steps in support of BLM. Without hesitation, Finley obliges. Just the day before, Bliss was overcome with emotion after receiving the latest of many gun threats. That and covering 973 miles on foot had drained him on many levels. Conversely, his interactions with the likes of Finley, BLM protestors and activists, like Kiara Yakita in Ohio, as well as random drivers along the way- both Black and White- that would honk in support, would give him the boost of emotional energy he needed. Yakita reminded him that he was going into places that his Black counterparts could not because the risk was to great in such White, hostile, gun toting spaces.

Toward the last leg of his course, word of his project/activism preceded him and his team put out a cry for support on social media to connect with Bliss and walk with him across his self-imposed finish line. To his delight, a large, diverse group convened in D.C. walking the last mile to the plaza, with random pedestrians joining along the way and drivers honking their support as they witnessed the posters and heard the chants. For Bliss as well as for the viewers, it’s hard not to be struck both by the blatant and unfounded hate as well as the unexpected and overwhelming moments of love and appreciation.

Bliss authentically comes across as curious and humble, never taking on some misguided role as a White leader or savior. “White Man Walking” effectively presents as both a personal journey and compelling social experiment. its exploration of race reminds that we are in a deeply divided time and America is a fragile country. It is undeniable that there is a desperate need for more understanding, clarity and grace… and fewer guns. Likewise, the film also probes that even with the disenfranchisement, there are also true connections.

“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America” (John Lewis)

Directors: Denise Alder, Rob Bliss
Stars: Rob Bliss
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Language: English
Production companies: Doc Hearts, Watermelon Pictures
Run time: 1h 10m