Family Reunion (2019–…): Season 5, Episode 9 - Episode #5.9 - full transcript
Well, Moz,
what do you think?
Mm.
You know, it looks good from
the front and the back, Cocoa.
Quit teasing me.
Honey,
I'm not teasing.
This house really does have
four bedrooms and three baths.
And, oh, this kitchen
is so amazing.
It makes me want to become a chef,
or at least buy a cute apron.
I'll call the realtor
and make an appointment.
Uh, uh, Before we
open chez Cocoa,
remember, we want to keep this from
M'Dear until we have everything lined up.
Look at us, Moz.
We are finally in the
position to buy a house again.
I mean, it wasn't that long ago
that we were drowning in debt.
Yeah, well, God sent us a little
life preserver named M'Dear.
She's probably gonna try
and change our minds.
Oh, will she though?
Honey, we have filled her house
with children and a crying baby.
She will be glad
to see us leave.
I think you're exaggerating.
She's happy to have us here.
Especially me. She's
crazy about me.
I know.
And, lucky for you, I am too.
What? Ooh.
What you two up to?
- Just loving on each other.
- Hmm-mm.
We don't need no more
crying babies in this house!
Where is a bathroom?
Did I say it right?
How are we supposed to know
if you're holding the book?
That makes sense.
Sorry, I've just never been
out of the country before
and just I'm so excited
to go to Europe.
I mean, this trip is
going to be amazing.
The food, the fashion, the
handsome European boys. Ah!
You are so lucky your
parents hooked you up.
I'm going to Europe too.
I can learn how to speak
French just as poorly as Jade.
You'll get your chance, Ami.
And Jade, you need to study,
'cause I don't know French
but I know bad when I hear it.
Okay, well, then I will go upstairs
and practice in the mirror.
That way I can make sure I look
cute when I'm talking.
Melly, did you hear about this?
They're going to build
luxury condos on our land.
Oh no. How can they do that?
You know, if we
still had that land,
they'd have to pay us
to build those condos.
Mm-hmm.
What are you guys talking about?
Oh, it's a long and
pointless story.
Hmm, must be about Jade.
Ami, don't be a hater.
Jeb, these children need to
learn about their history.
Yeah, tell us. I want to know.
Okay.
It was 1902.
No, '05.
No, 1910.
When did the war start?
Jeb, let me tell it.
Now you are great in the pulpit, but
when it comes to family storytelling,
my memory is better than yours.
- Sure, you're right, Melly.
- Mm-hmm.
Now, it's just fascinating how
the land came into this family,
so get comfortable.
The year was 1902.
Teddy Roosevelt was president,
and the first Target
department stores opened.
I love Target!
I do too. Now, hush up.
More importantly, that was also the
year that the great poet and author,
Langston Hughes, was born.
Grandpa's great-grandparents, Ajua
and George, had a beautiful daughter,
Hannah, who had
just gotten married.
Ooh!
Hannah and Nathaniel! Come on,
newlyweds. Show us how it's done.
All right, let's go.
Mama, why don't you get up off
those keys and really show us?
Let's go. Woo!
You mean, like this?
Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh!
I'm sorry, sir, we're closed.
Pardon my interruption.
Are you Hannah McKellan?
Yes, sir.
People in these parts tell
me you can work miracles.
My boy, Henry, is
sick with consumption.
Now, we've been to every doctor,
pharmacist, and Hoodoo woman
from here to New Orleans, and
no one can seem to help him.
Papa, it hurts.
Well, his breathing isn't right.
Let me have a look at him.
Mama, take him in the
back room, please.
Hannah and her mama were
known far and wide as healers.
Please help us.
I've got to tell you, I've burned through
most of my money trying to get Henry well.
But I've got a piece of land.
Twenty acres.
It's yours once Henry is healed.
That seems like a fair trade.
Hannah.
You really think that white man
is going to give us some land?
Who knows?
But I am not about
to let the boy die.
So, did Hannah
ever get the land?
Oh, sure did.
Hannah healed that
boy good as new.
Uh, now, where was I?
Well, the last thing you said
was, "Sure, you're right, Melly."
And I said, "I got it, Jeb."
So, let's turn the
clock back to 1922.
The New York Yankees
built their first stadium.
Langston, Zora Neale
Hurston, and Countee Cullen
sparkled over the
Harlem Renaissance.
And down here in Columbus,
the McKellans had been comfortably settled
into their home and land for 20 years.
Perfect.
One day, our children's children will
carve their initials in this tree.
And this tree is going to
last as long as our love.
Mm. That meat is looking good.
Désirée, when it's ready,
make a plate for me, will you?
Remember, the big piece
of chicken is mine.
Yes, ma'am.
Now, everybody, I made a pie,
Mama made a pie, and
Désirée made sort of a pie.
Mama, stop funnin' me.
You sure love to tease.
She does, but she had a great
idea to bring us all together
for a family reunion.
We should do this every year.
Now everybody get a taste of each of
these pies so we can pick the winner.
Or you can declare
me number one.
Can I help you, Mr. Lawrence?
That you, Nathaniel?
Thanks for stepping out.
With all these boys,
I'd have a devil of a time
figuring out which one is you.
Mr. Lawrence, how's your grandson,
Henry? I heard he's back from college.
Well, he
died a few days ago.
Oh my goodness.
If he wasn't well, why
didn't you bring him to me?
I didn't even want my son sending
him to you all those years ago.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
May the good Lord
love and keep him.
Miss Wilma must feel awful.
Well, Miss Wilma ain't been the same
since Thomas got killed in the war.
Now I have to bury my grandson.
It's a terrible shame.
But now that they both all gone…
…I'm
gonna want my land back.
Your land?
- This was Thomas's land.
- He paid for my wife's services with it.
Mm-hmm.
Well, that may be true.
And y'all done such a good
job keeping the soil fertile,
I'm going to let you stay,
provided you pay me some rent.
- Rent?
- Rent.
But it's our land.
We have a deed
certified by the county.
Well, if you're feeling up to it, you
can take it up with Judge Carlson.
He's a good friend of mine.
But if you lose…
you will have to find
another place to live.
I'm sorry to hear about
Henry, Mr. Lawrence,
but I think it's time you leave.
Mm-hmm.
Wait, wait, wait. So let
me get this straight.
You mean to tell me that
that was your family's land
and that man just
stole it out the blue?
Man, the South is wild. I can't
believe they did that to y'all.
Well, it wasn't just the
South, and it wasn't just us.
My grandparents went
to court and they lost.
They had to leave
their own home.
Well, that was 100 years ago.
Things have improved
for Black people.
Sometimes, I think that.
But the minute I
let my guard down,
another Black man goes jogging
for the last time in his life.
Jeb, don't get your
blood pressure up.
Grandpa, we have
to do something.
I mean, yeah. Do you
guys still have the deed?
Yeah, it's in the basement.
It's a waste of time. You're
gonna be disappointed.
If you're smart, you'll
just leave this alone.
How can you say that?
It's time you got reparations.
Wait, would getting our land
back count as reparations?
Well, reparations is
making amends for a wrong.
It's like that time that you broke
my iPad but blamed it on Ami,
so I punched her. And then
she kicked you in the face.
Jade, that's retaliation,
not reparations.
Close enough.
- What are you talking about?
- Sit down, sis,
and prepare to want to punch
someone again. Just not me.
All right, Mazzi,
when they come out,
you're going to wave the
deed in the air like a flag.
I'm going to hop on the counter and
yell, "reparations." Ami, you can record.
What an awful idea.
Let's explain our story and
then show them the deed.
There's no way they can deny us
after they hear what happened.
Ah. Uh…
How can I help you?
Reparations! Give
them back their land!
Uh…
Ah.
You must be looking for
mental health services.
They are on the second floor.
Tyson, get down.
Sir, please excuse my
overzealous cousin.
My name's Mazzi McKellan.
We're here to reclaim land that
was taken from us 100 years ago.
Here's the deed.
Okay.
See?
Hmm.
Says here this land is owned
by the Lawrence family.
No. No, they stole that land.
And the McKellans want
it back, right now.
I don't know about that. I'm just
telling you what my records say.
You're just saying that
because we're Black.
Tyson, chill.
Sir, the deed is proof
that we own the land.
Exactly. So go back
into your little office
and give them back their
land before we take it back.
Young man, you are going to have to
calm down or else I am calling security.
Tyson, you're so extra.
Ami's right.
We would've gotten further if you'd
just let me explain the story.
We don't have time for that.
Malcolm X said, "If you don't stand for
something, you'll fall for anything."
Martin Luther King said,
"Let us not drink from the
cup of bitterness and hatred."
Do you two just have
these quotes on hand?
Look, all I'm saying
is that this country
has never given us anything
without fighting for it.
And we need to fight.
Listen, bro.
I feel you, but we also
need to be effective.
All right, so let's
meet in the middle then.
We need to do something that Malcolm
X and MLK could both be proud of.
And what's that?
Well, they got the system.
But we got the
people.
This is what we're gonna do.
Did I nail it or what?
Um, "nailed it" isn't
quite how I'd put it.
Honey, what's
wrong this time?
Pfft. No formal dining room,
no mud room, and no porch.
I mean, how will we sit with our sweet
tea and watch the neighbors walk by?
We don't
even do that now.
I want the option.
- Um, Navah, can you give us a minute?
- Of course.
Honey,
what is really going on?
You have rejected 20 houses.
Do you want us to live
with M'Dear forever?
I mean, that wouldn't be the
worst thing in the world.
Look, honey, we are past the point
where your parents are doing us a favor.
We are imposing.
I mean, it can't be money.
"C by Cocoa" has
really taken off.
You've got a good salary
at What's Up Football?
Honey, what exactly
are you afraid of?
Okay.
You know,
when we first moved to Columbus,
I was in a vulnerable place.
I was retiring, didn't
know my next move,
and not to mention how badly
we messed up our finances.
Yeah, that was scary. I even thought
about moving in with my mama.
Scary? That would
have been terrifying.
Cocoa, what happens if
we go through that again?
Honey,
we cannot live in fear.
Do you remember what Grandpa
said in church last week?
"Faith and fear cannot
grow in the same heart."
How can our family move
forward if we stay stuck?
Well, look at you, paying
attention in church.
Honey,
it's time we move on.
Yeah, you're right, babe.
You know, marrying you might've
been one of the smartest things.
One of?
Okay, see? You weren't
paying attention.
- What I said was…
- Okay.
I really liked that
third house we saw.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Black land matters!
Black land matters!
Reparations now!
Reparations now!
Black land matters!
Black land matters!
Reparations now!
Reparations now!
Reparations now!
What the devil is going on here?
I am councilwoman,
Patricia Lawrence.
I own this land and I did
not authorize a gathering.
Well, we don't care.
This land was taken from our
ancestor, Hannah McKellan.
And we're taking it back.
Bless your hearts.
This property has been in my
family for many generations.
That's the problem.
You had decades to make it
right and you did nothing.
We won't stand for it.
We're not going anywhere.
Reparations now!
Reparations now!
In the spirit of our ancestors,
we've got to take
back what's ours.
Black land matters.
Black land matters!
Can't you do something
about these wayward youths
footloosing all
over my property?
Jeb, you hear that?
If I say no, you're gonna
send me to the doctor.
Oh, Jeb, relax.
It's the sound of silence.
Just me and you,
and we thank Him.
Oh my God!
Look what just arrived for me!
Is that a shoelace?
What? It's a swimsuit!
Ami couldn't even
fit in that thing.
You Americans!
Damn!
You better stop cussing in this
house before I come up there
and start talking
French to your behind!
Now, Jeb, like I said,
just me and you.
Evening, McKellans.
Oh Lord, I give up!
Jordan, what's wrong?
Your grandkids were trespassing
over at Patricia Lawrence's land,
and I thought it better to bring
them here than to take them in.
Thank you, Jordan.
What did you kids do?
It was a flash mob for justice.
I don't care who was there.
Grandpa, just let us explain.
We were on our land and it just…
It felt right.
You know, you
could've gotten hurt.
Luckily, Jordan was there or you
might not have made it home at all.
Grandpa, it wasn't
even like that.
Our rally was a bunch of kids
from all kinds of backgrounds
standing up for our rights.
You know, I really do appreciate
what you kids are doing.
But it won't get our land back.
Well, I might as well
just leave the door open.
Hello. Is this the
McKellan residence?
Well, that depends.
I'm Cheyanne Jones, I'm
with the Georgia chapter
of the Where's My
Land? Organization.
We help Black people
reconnect with stolen land
through research and data.
How'd you find us?
Actually, I got a call
yesterday from Amelia McKellen.
Oh no, I didn't call anyone.
That was me. I'm Ami, also
known as Amelia McKellan.
You guys have your way of
protesting. I have mine.
Ami here explained
your family story.
We were moved, and
we'd like to help.
Thank you.
See, guys? Amelia
McKellans get it done.
I know reparations are
a hot topic right now,
but that does not mean that
I'm responsible for them.
My fellow council members,
their deed is questionable.
According to tax records,
for 20 years, the McKellans
lived on their land,
and there is no record
of a bill of sale
or a transfer of title
to the Lawrence family.
So the deed that should be called
into question is the Lawrence deed.
I am Amelia McKellan, First Lady
of Heaven's Way Baptist Church.
Most of you know me.
Brother Jones, you're a
little late with your tithe.
Hannah McKellan had
a gift of healing,
and when Thomas Lawrence
could not pay her with money,
he paid her with land.
She earned that land.
Hannah and her family
turned that land…
I don't know, Grandpa. The white
people don't seem convinced.
Maybe nothing's changed.
Maybe we should just give up.
No, no, Mazzi, listen.
All of what you did
is what got us here.
We can never, never
stop fighting.
Sometimes… Sometimes
I just get tired.
…the land
that belongs to us.
So if there isn't any other
business, let's wrap this meeting up.
No. No. No.
I have something I want to say.
This is not just
a piece of land.
For our family,
it was the American dream.
I told my grandchildren,
"Leave it alone."
But when you do nothing,
you get nothing.
They gave me the hope.
Take your time, Jeb.
So my question to
the council is,
how much time is
it going to take
for you to make things right?
I want things different
for the next generation.
Yes.
The question is, do you?
I have to say…
that I never thought that I
would live to see this day.
Hey y'all. I'm sorry.
You know, I just got so
caught up planning my trip.
I should've got more involved.
This is what the French would
call a "faux pas."
And that's what we
call "being Jade."
Amelia, kids,
I thank you.
Well, I hope your ancestors
can rest easy now.
They can, thanks to you.
And Tyson, you have to stop
talking about our ancestors
as if you're not a
part of this family.
With all the things you've
done, Hannah would be proud.
I don't know about Hannah,
but I'm sure proud.
I mean, this family
went so hard for me.
- I just wanted to go hard for y'all.
- Mm.
We did it for you Grandpa.
We love you, and we
wanted you to win.
I'm so proud of all of you.
So the question is,
now that we have all this
land, what do we do with it?
Well, the one thing we are not
going to do is build condos.
But until we can figure it out,
I think this would
be the perfect place
for the McKellan family reunion.
Yes!
Yes!
Good!
A hundred years later and the
land is ours again, thanks to me.
Oh, you did good,
baby.
Uh, M'Dear, Cocoa and I have
got something to tell you.
What?
That the two of you have been looking
for houses and have decided to move out?
I know everything that goes on
in my house and in this town.
And that house on
Florence Drive,
well, it just screams
Cocoa and Moz!
M'Dear, whose
initials are these?
"AF," "GF," that's Ajua
Freeman and George Freeman.
And the "HM" and "NM" must be
Hannah and Nathaniel McKellan.
And those must be their kids.
Wow. It's lasted all this time.
Yeah, it's like they never
left this place, not really.
We should carve our initials in.
All the McKellans
will, including Tyson.
Hold up, now.
Jeb and I will go first and
then if there's any room left,
then y'all can put
your names up there.
Diva out.
what do you think?
Mm.
You know, it looks good from
the front and the back, Cocoa.
Quit teasing me.
Honey,
I'm not teasing.
This house really does have
four bedrooms and three baths.
And, oh, this kitchen
is so amazing.
It makes me want to become a chef,
or at least buy a cute apron.
I'll call the realtor
and make an appointment.
Uh, uh, Before we
open chez Cocoa,
remember, we want to keep this from
M'Dear until we have everything lined up.
Look at us, Moz.
We are finally in the
position to buy a house again.
I mean, it wasn't that long ago
that we were drowning in debt.
Yeah, well, God sent us a little
life preserver named M'Dear.
She's probably gonna try
and change our minds.
Oh, will she though?
Honey, we have filled her house
with children and a crying baby.
She will be glad
to see us leave.
I think you're exaggerating.
She's happy to have us here.
Especially me. She's
crazy about me.
I know.
And, lucky for you, I am too.
What? Ooh.
What you two up to?
- Just loving on each other.
- Hmm-mm.
We don't need no more
crying babies in this house!
Where is a bathroom?
Did I say it right?
How are we supposed to know
if you're holding the book?
That makes sense.
Sorry, I've just never been
out of the country before
and just I'm so excited
to go to Europe.
I mean, this trip is
going to be amazing.
The food, the fashion, the
handsome European boys. Ah!
You are so lucky your
parents hooked you up.
I'm going to Europe too.
I can learn how to speak
French just as poorly as Jade.
You'll get your chance, Ami.
And Jade, you need to study,
'cause I don't know French
but I know bad when I hear it.
Okay, well, then I will go upstairs
and practice in the mirror.
That way I can make sure I look
cute when I'm talking.
Melly, did you hear about this?
They're going to build
luxury condos on our land.
Oh no. How can they do that?
You know, if we
still had that land,
they'd have to pay us
to build those condos.
Mm-hmm.
What are you guys talking about?
Oh, it's a long and
pointless story.
Hmm, must be about Jade.
Ami, don't be a hater.
Jeb, these children need to
learn about their history.
Yeah, tell us. I want to know.
Okay.
It was 1902.
No, '05.
No, 1910.
When did the war start?
Jeb, let me tell it.
Now you are great in the pulpit, but
when it comes to family storytelling,
my memory is better than yours.
- Sure, you're right, Melly.
- Mm-hmm.
Now, it's just fascinating how
the land came into this family,
so get comfortable.
The year was 1902.
Teddy Roosevelt was president,
and the first Target
department stores opened.
I love Target!
I do too. Now, hush up.
More importantly, that was also the
year that the great poet and author,
Langston Hughes, was born.
Grandpa's great-grandparents, Ajua
and George, had a beautiful daughter,
Hannah, who had
just gotten married.
Ooh!
Hannah and Nathaniel! Come on,
newlyweds. Show us how it's done.
All right, let's go.
Mama, why don't you get up off
those keys and really show us?
Let's go. Woo!
You mean, like this?
Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh!
I'm sorry, sir, we're closed.
Pardon my interruption.
Are you Hannah McKellan?
Yes, sir.
People in these parts tell
me you can work miracles.
My boy, Henry, is
sick with consumption.
Now, we've been to every doctor,
pharmacist, and Hoodoo woman
from here to New Orleans, and
no one can seem to help him.
Papa, it hurts.
Well, his breathing isn't right.
Let me have a look at him.
Mama, take him in the
back room, please.
Hannah and her mama were
known far and wide as healers.
Please help us.
I've got to tell you, I've burned through
most of my money trying to get Henry well.
But I've got a piece of land.
Twenty acres.
It's yours once Henry is healed.
That seems like a fair trade.
Hannah.
You really think that white man
is going to give us some land?
Who knows?
But I am not about
to let the boy die.
So, did Hannah
ever get the land?
Oh, sure did.
Hannah healed that
boy good as new.
Uh, now, where was I?
Well, the last thing you said
was, "Sure, you're right, Melly."
And I said, "I got it, Jeb."
So, let's turn the
clock back to 1922.
The New York Yankees
built their first stadium.
Langston, Zora Neale
Hurston, and Countee Cullen
sparkled over the
Harlem Renaissance.
And down here in Columbus,
the McKellans had been comfortably settled
into their home and land for 20 years.
Perfect.
One day, our children's children will
carve their initials in this tree.
And this tree is going to
last as long as our love.
Mm. That meat is looking good.
Désirée, when it's ready,
make a plate for me, will you?
Remember, the big piece
of chicken is mine.
Yes, ma'am.
Now, everybody, I made a pie,
Mama made a pie, and
Désirée made sort of a pie.
Mama, stop funnin' me.
You sure love to tease.
She does, but she had a great
idea to bring us all together
for a family reunion.
We should do this every year.
Now everybody get a taste of each of
these pies so we can pick the winner.
Or you can declare
me number one.
Can I help you, Mr. Lawrence?
That you, Nathaniel?
Thanks for stepping out.
With all these boys,
I'd have a devil of a time
figuring out which one is you.
Mr. Lawrence, how's your grandson,
Henry? I heard he's back from college.
Well, he
died a few days ago.
Oh my goodness.
If he wasn't well, why
didn't you bring him to me?
I didn't even want my son sending
him to you all those years ago.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
May the good Lord
love and keep him.
Miss Wilma must feel awful.
Well, Miss Wilma ain't been the same
since Thomas got killed in the war.
Now I have to bury my grandson.
It's a terrible shame.
But now that they both all gone…
…I'm
gonna want my land back.
Your land?
- This was Thomas's land.
- He paid for my wife's services with it.
Mm-hmm.
Well, that may be true.
And y'all done such a good
job keeping the soil fertile,
I'm going to let you stay,
provided you pay me some rent.
- Rent?
- Rent.
But it's our land.
We have a deed
certified by the county.
Well, if you're feeling up to it, you
can take it up with Judge Carlson.
He's a good friend of mine.
But if you lose…
you will have to find
another place to live.
I'm sorry to hear about
Henry, Mr. Lawrence,
but I think it's time you leave.
Mm-hmm.
Wait, wait, wait. So let
me get this straight.
You mean to tell me that
that was your family's land
and that man just
stole it out the blue?
Man, the South is wild. I can't
believe they did that to y'all.
Well, it wasn't just the
South, and it wasn't just us.
My grandparents went
to court and they lost.
They had to leave
their own home.
Well, that was 100 years ago.
Things have improved
for Black people.
Sometimes, I think that.
But the minute I
let my guard down,
another Black man goes jogging
for the last time in his life.
Jeb, don't get your
blood pressure up.
Grandpa, we have
to do something.
I mean, yeah. Do you
guys still have the deed?
Yeah, it's in the basement.
It's a waste of time. You're
gonna be disappointed.
If you're smart, you'll
just leave this alone.
How can you say that?
It's time you got reparations.
Wait, would getting our land
back count as reparations?
Well, reparations is
making amends for a wrong.
It's like that time that you broke
my iPad but blamed it on Ami,
so I punched her. And then
she kicked you in the face.
Jade, that's retaliation,
not reparations.
Close enough.
- What are you talking about?
- Sit down, sis,
and prepare to want to punch
someone again. Just not me.
All right, Mazzi,
when they come out,
you're going to wave the
deed in the air like a flag.
I'm going to hop on the counter and
yell, "reparations." Ami, you can record.
What an awful idea.
Let's explain our story and
then show them the deed.
There's no way they can deny us
after they hear what happened.
Ah. Uh…
How can I help you?
Reparations! Give
them back their land!
Uh…
Ah.
You must be looking for
mental health services.
They are on the second floor.
Tyson, get down.
Sir, please excuse my
overzealous cousin.
My name's Mazzi McKellan.
We're here to reclaim land that
was taken from us 100 years ago.
Here's the deed.
Okay.
See?
Hmm.
Says here this land is owned
by the Lawrence family.
No. No, they stole that land.
And the McKellans want
it back, right now.
I don't know about that. I'm just
telling you what my records say.
You're just saying that
because we're Black.
Tyson, chill.
Sir, the deed is proof
that we own the land.
Exactly. So go back
into your little office
and give them back their
land before we take it back.
Young man, you are going to have to
calm down or else I am calling security.
Tyson, you're so extra.
Ami's right.
We would've gotten further if you'd
just let me explain the story.
We don't have time for that.
Malcolm X said, "If you don't stand for
something, you'll fall for anything."
Martin Luther King said,
"Let us not drink from the
cup of bitterness and hatred."
Do you two just have
these quotes on hand?
Look, all I'm saying
is that this country
has never given us anything
without fighting for it.
And we need to fight.
Listen, bro.
I feel you, but we also
need to be effective.
All right, so let's
meet in the middle then.
We need to do something that Malcolm
X and MLK could both be proud of.
And what's that?
Well, they got the system.
But we got the
people.
This is what we're gonna do.
Did I nail it or what?
Um, "nailed it" isn't
quite how I'd put it.
Honey, what's
wrong this time?
Pfft. No formal dining room,
no mud room, and no porch.
I mean, how will we sit with our sweet
tea and watch the neighbors walk by?
We don't
even do that now.
I want the option.
- Um, Navah, can you give us a minute?
- Of course.
Honey,
what is really going on?
You have rejected 20 houses.
Do you want us to live
with M'Dear forever?
I mean, that wouldn't be the
worst thing in the world.
Look, honey, we are past the point
where your parents are doing us a favor.
We are imposing.
I mean, it can't be money.
"C by Cocoa" has
really taken off.
You've got a good salary
at What's Up Football?
Honey, what exactly
are you afraid of?
Okay.
You know,
when we first moved to Columbus,
I was in a vulnerable place.
I was retiring, didn't
know my next move,
and not to mention how badly
we messed up our finances.
Yeah, that was scary. I even thought
about moving in with my mama.
Scary? That would
have been terrifying.
Cocoa, what happens if
we go through that again?
Honey,
we cannot live in fear.
Do you remember what Grandpa
said in church last week?
"Faith and fear cannot
grow in the same heart."
How can our family move
forward if we stay stuck?
Well, look at you, paying
attention in church.
Honey,
it's time we move on.
Yeah, you're right, babe.
You know, marrying you might've
been one of the smartest things.
One of?
Okay, see? You weren't
paying attention.
- What I said was…
- Okay.
I really liked that
third house we saw.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Black land matters!
Black land matters!
Reparations now!
Reparations now!
Black land matters!
Black land matters!
Reparations now!
Reparations now!
Reparations now!
What the devil is going on here?
I am councilwoman,
Patricia Lawrence.
I own this land and I did
not authorize a gathering.
Well, we don't care.
This land was taken from our
ancestor, Hannah McKellan.
And we're taking it back.
Bless your hearts.
This property has been in my
family for many generations.
That's the problem.
You had decades to make it
right and you did nothing.
We won't stand for it.
We're not going anywhere.
Reparations now!
Reparations now!
In the spirit of our ancestors,
we've got to take
back what's ours.
Black land matters.
Black land matters!
Can't you do something
about these wayward youths
footloosing all
over my property?
Jeb, you hear that?
If I say no, you're gonna
send me to the doctor.
Oh, Jeb, relax.
It's the sound of silence.
Just me and you,
and we thank Him.
Oh my God!
Look what just arrived for me!
Is that a shoelace?
What? It's a swimsuit!
Ami couldn't even
fit in that thing.
You Americans!
Damn!
You better stop cussing in this
house before I come up there
and start talking
French to your behind!
Now, Jeb, like I said,
just me and you.
Evening, McKellans.
Oh Lord, I give up!
Jordan, what's wrong?
Your grandkids were trespassing
over at Patricia Lawrence's land,
and I thought it better to bring
them here than to take them in.
Thank you, Jordan.
What did you kids do?
It was a flash mob for justice.
I don't care who was there.
Grandpa, just let us explain.
We were on our land and it just…
It felt right.
You know, you
could've gotten hurt.
Luckily, Jordan was there or you
might not have made it home at all.
Grandpa, it wasn't
even like that.
Our rally was a bunch of kids
from all kinds of backgrounds
standing up for our rights.
You know, I really do appreciate
what you kids are doing.
But it won't get our land back.
Well, I might as well
just leave the door open.
Hello. Is this the
McKellan residence?
Well, that depends.
I'm Cheyanne Jones, I'm
with the Georgia chapter
of the Where's My
Land? Organization.
We help Black people
reconnect with stolen land
through research and data.
How'd you find us?
Actually, I got a call
yesterday from Amelia McKellen.
Oh no, I didn't call anyone.
That was me. I'm Ami, also
known as Amelia McKellan.
You guys have your way of
protesting. I have mine.
Ami here explained
your family story.
We were moved, and
we'd like to help.
Thank you.
See, guys? Amelia
McKellans get it done.
I know reparations are
a hot topic right now,
but that does not mean that
I'm responsible for them.
My fellow council members,
their deed is questionable.
According to tax records,
for 20 years, the McKellans
lived on their land,
and there is no record
of a bill of sale
or a transfer of title
to the Lawrence family.
So the deed that should be called
into question is the Lawrence deed.
I am Amelia McKellan, First Lady
of Heaven's Way Baptist Church.
Most of you know me.
Brother Jones, you're a
little late with your tithe.
Hannah McKellan had
a gift of healing,
and when Thomas Lawrence
could not pay her with money,
he paid her with land.
She earned that land.
Hannah and her family
turned that land…
I don't know, Grandpa. The white
people don't seem convinced.
Maybe nothing's changed.
Maybe we should just give up.
No, no, Mazzi, listen.
All of what you did
is what got us here.
We can never, never
stop fighting.
Sometimes… Sometimes
I just get tired.
…the land
that belongs to us.
So if there isn't any other
business, let's wrap this meeting up.
No. No. No.
I have something I want to say.
This is not just
a piece of land.
For our family,
it was the American dream.
I told my grandchildren,
"Leave it alone."
But when you do nothing,
you get nothing.
They gave me the hope.
Take your time, Jeb.
So my question to
the council is,
how much time is
it going to take
for you to make things right?
I want things different
for the next generation.
Yes.
The question is, do you?
I have to say…
that I never thought that I
would live to see this day.
Hey y'all. I'm sorry.
You know, I just got so
caught up planning my trip.
I should've got more involved.
This is what the French would
call a "faux pas."
And that's what we
call "being Jade."
Amelia, kids,
I thank you.
Well, I hope your ancestors
can rest easy now.
They can, thanks to you.
And Tyson, you have to stop
talking about our ancestors
as if you're not a
part of this family.
With all the things you've
done, Hannah would be proud.
I don't know about Hannah,
but I'm sure proud.
I mean, this family
went so hard for me.
- I just wanted to go hard for y'all.
- Mm.
We did it for you Grandpa.
We love you, and we
wanted you to win.
I'm so proud of all of you.
So the question is,
now that we have all this
land, what do we do with it?
Well, the one thing we are not
going to do is build condos.
But until we can figure it out,
I think this would
be the perfect place
for the McKellan family reunion.
Yes!
Yes!
Good!
A hundred years later and the
land is ours again, thanks to me.
Oh, you did good,
baby.
Uh, M'Dear, Cocoa and I have
got something to tell you.
What?
That the two of you have been looking
for houses and have decided to move out?
I know everything that goes on
in my house and in this town.
And that house on
Florence Drive,
well, it just screams
Cocoa and Moz!
M'Dear, whose
initials are these?
"AF," "GF," that's Ajua
Freeman and George Freeman.
And the "HM" and "NM" must be
Hannah and Nathaniel McKellan.
And those must be their kids.
Wow. It's lasted all this time.
Yeah, it's like they never
left this place, not really.
We should carve our initials in.
All the McKellans
will, including Tyson.
Hold up, now.
Jeb and I will go first and
then if there's any room left,
then y'all can put
your names up there.
Diva out.