In the world of Black Greekdom there is a split between those who know and those who hunger to know just what life is like for members of Black Greek Letter Organizations. The negative perception of frats and sororities as a result of its fixation on hazing has indeed damaged the image of these organizations in the 21st century, yet there exists a desire to watch films and shows that show the true experience of those in the Divine 9 organizations. Undoubtedly films such as School Daze opened the door for dialogue and exploration of “the black experience” followed by later films such as Stomp the Yard. The web series Black Boots created by director and divine nine member Geno Brook follows in this same vein by giving an authentic and all encompassing depiction of Greek life for blacks, a depiction few have dared to deliver.
The story focuses on the experience of a freshman Grant while at a fictional Historically Black University named Brooks University. Over the course of his freshman year Grant becomes interested in joining one of the fraternities on campus where he soon learns the inner workings of fraternity life. As a series its greatest strengths lie in its honesty as well as its fearlessness in addressing a number of issues that take place on college campuses. The honesty Brook exhibits in showing a pledge process as well as the authenticity he weaves into each of the character’s story will win over members of said organizations, but even more paramount is Brook’s fearlessness in presenting the story. Far from a glamorization Black Boots tackles a number of issues that plague college campuses such as domestic violence and drug use, and through his work, begs us to demand more from these same groups
As a member of a Divine Nine organization I looked at the series and was struck by how smoothly the story was being presented and in the same breath encouraged at the underlying themes hidden in the series. Simply put the series is one that each of us can stand to gain something from and one that will provide its share of entertainment mingled with moments of serious dialogue.
Wright World 