Consent in a romantic relationship is crucial, but what happens when one party is unable to verbally or physically express their desires?
Tell Them You Love Me is a new true crime documentary that delves into the complex issues of consent, racism, and ableism in the case of former professor Anna Stubblefield and her student, Derrick Johnson.
Anna Stubblefield, known for her work in Africana philosophy and racial justice, was a respected professor at Rutgers University. She used a technique called facilitated communication to work with her student Derrick Johnson, a Black man with severe mental disabilities who couldn’t speak or move without assistance.
Despite making progress with Derrick using facilitated communication, some questioned the validity of the relationship. In 2013, Stubblefield was charged with aggravated sexual assault, with Derrick’s family claiming he couldn’t consent to the romantic involvement due to his disabilities.
After a trial in 2015, Stubblefield was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison. She was later granted a retrial and pled guilty to a charge of criminal sexual contact, serving two years before being released. Derrick and his family were awarded $4 million in a civil lawsuit against Stubblefield.
Tell Them You Love Me, a Netflix documentary executive produced by Louis Theroux, explores the controversial relationship between Stubblefield and Johnson. The film premiered on Netflix on June 14, 2024, and offers a deep dive into the trial over race, disability, and power dynamics.
Viewers in the US can watch the documentary on Netflix, or rent or buy it on Apple TV. UK viewers can access it on Sky Stream, Netflix, or Disney+. The film is directed by Nick August-Perna, known for his work on impactful documentaries.
Derrick Johnson, a non-verbal man with cerebral palsy, has not been directly interviewed for the documentary. His family has expressed their outrage over the lack of justice served in the case, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting consent in all relationships.
