Written by John Edward Betancourt  Marcus Knight in Madeleine Farley’s FIST BUMP. (Photo Courtesy of Unlimited Pictures.) There was a time in our history, where mistakes were something, we embraced. For we came to understand that mistakes are teaching tools. The kind that helps us to learn valuable life lessons and make incredible changes so that said mistakes never happen again, and people wore them akin to a badge of honor. For those who took the time to say they messed up, or that their company or the entity they represented messed up, were seen in a positive light. For it spoke to a good moral core and good business sense and that people should trust that person and that industry. For all involved would always do the right thing and make situations whole again with their honesty. But somewhere along the line, that all changed. Because these days, mistakes are seen in a negative light. For the world now values the impossibility of perfection, not to mention… to admit one made a mistake is now shocking. For so many now refuse to, and often double down on their mishaps to maintain that air of perfection and that’s led to a unique modern world. Where apparently no one can do wrong and penalties and consequences matter over, growth. How and why, that happened… is a discussion for another time. But what matters in this moment… is that this mantra is harming people and changing lives for the worse and for proof… then look no further than the fascinating new documentary, Fist Bump. For this particular tale introduces us to Marcus Knight, a man with cerebral palsy and autism, that loves musical theater and spent his high school days entertaining the masses and was also beloved by his classmates. To the point where Marcus often made the time to take selfies with his classmates and fist bump them to just share in a moment of joy. But once Marcus went to college, his life took a unique and unsettling turn. For he was suspended from his school for committing assault and according to the Title IX complaint filed against him, he was inappropriately touching other students and harassing them for selfies. A move that no one came forward and corroborated, but none the less, Marcus was without a grand chance to enjoy a college education and how this mistake came to life, is explored here.  Marcus Knight in Madeleine Farley’s FIST BUMP. (Photo Courtesy of Unlimited Pictures.) Since we learn about how Saddleback College expresses that unhealthy mantra, we mentioned a moment ago. Because make no mistake about it, they are in the wrong. They erroneously halted the life journey for an innocent person that only has good in his heart. All because… to admit they made a mistake would somehow be a hideous thing. Something wrong and distasteful. When instead, sticking to their guns and their goof, has ruined a future. Because when one has a Title IX complaint, there are jobs one cannot obtain, and going to school anywhere else is an impossibility and it just… it makes no sense to hold to that kind of mistake, and it ironically, makes the school look worse for certain. But it speaks to the world we live in and oddly enough, that particular truth allows for this story to explore some real concerns behind this kind of decision.
Since it also speaks to how in our modern era, institutions and corporations and the populace in general are obsessed with rules and regulations being handled in the most black and white of terms, and clearly, this is not a black and white situation. For we learn over the course of an hour that Marcus is not some predator, but a good man that is polite, charming and always eager to include people through consent and kindness. And had an investigation taken place and the realty of the situation been taken into account, then perhaps all of this could be avoided. But, again, the rules are all that matter to Saddleback and that makes for a fascinating and frustrating feature. Since it speaks to the state of our world right now. Of the us versus them mentality we’ve created for no reason in particular. But more importantly, it showcases, that the arrogance created by the belief that no one can be wrong, is creating a toxic world. Where we won’t grow, won’t learn and won’t come to understand the majesty of mistakes. And in doing so, we will silence voices and keep wondrous people out of the spotlight, and that’s wrong. Because every single person out there deserves a chance to thrive, to grow, to experience life to the fullest and make mistakes along the way, and had this been handled differently, who knows where Marcus would be right now, and who knows how respected Saddleback would be. But alas… what we are left with, is a powerful story that leaves us wondering… what it will take to bring the world back to that place where mistakes and misunderstandings were championed and resolved with dialogue and not punishment. To see ‘Fist Bump’ in Los Angeles at Slamdance, visit Slamdance’s website.
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