The Black Leadership Collective and the African American Studies Department showed an emotional documentary about rape in the African American culture in its monthly “Third Thursday Film Festival” series, held in the MCC, on April 17.

The organizers, Julie Lewis and Jessica Hamilton, African American studies instructors, presented the film “No! The Rape Documentary.”

Fifty students filled up the room and occupied all four tables. Most of the students are enrolled in African American studies, intercultural studies, or women’s studies classes.

“It is important to show films that address critical issues beyond the image that traditional media portrays,” Hamilton said.

The 94-minute documentary included testimonials of rape victims who told their stories in a detailed and illustrative way.

Everybody’s eyes were glued on the screen. Some students took notes for their classes, others covered their mouth and later said  they were horrified.

“I’m shocked,” said Betaneya Abraham, 21, biology major. “Most rapists in the film were close friends and people the victims trusted. It’s scary that someone you trust would betray you like that.”

After the documentary, the students held a discussion about their ideas on how to prevent rape.

“The documentary was really heavy,” said Hieu Vo, 18, communicative disorders major,  He said he didn’t expect the documentary to be that emotional.

Hamilton said that rape is an issue disregarded by most men and solely placed on women. “But it’s the men who have to understand that anything else but yes means no,” she said.

“Rape affects us all, whether we realize it or not,” she said.

“Having partners, friends, or family members who experienced rape, affects relationships and people’s lives in general,” Lewis said.

Hamilton said she was pleased with the number of students who showed support at the event. “We would love to see even more students,” she said.