‘Notes From My Skin’: Film Amplifies Black Employees’ Voices

By Bianca Jones

In the days after the killing of George Floyd, Ron Johnson wrestled with emotions he had long suppressed. He was angry, scared and sad.

The Best Buy videographer reflected back on times in his own life when he, like far too many of his fellow Black Americans, had experienced the ugliness of racism and social injustice.

Ron decided to process his feelings through his art, creating a documentary called 'Notes from My Skin.' It's a collection of raw, personal stories from Black employees at Best Buy.

The film addresses police brutality, systemic racism and the trauma Black people hold from witnessing the killings that often follow. Through first-hand accounts, the film explores how these pivotal moments have shaped who they are today.

'I made this film to shed light on painful experiences Black people are repeatedly subjected to,' Ron said. 'I truly hope the film will inspire empathy and spark important conversations about race in our communities.'

In 'Notes from My Skin,' Ron reflected on his own intimate experience with racism, including a time when, as a young boy, he was chased down and called the N-word. Other employees shared their own stories of racist experiences, often as children and sometimes even within their own families.

The film also offers commentary on how we can move forward as a community - from doing research on these issues yourself to stepping outside of your cultural comfort zone to explore unfamiliar spaces.