If you happened to glance at Twitter yesterday, you more than likely came across the uproar that was caused by the brand new trailer for Spike Lee’s upcoming film, Chiraq.

Chiraq was originally shunned by many of the inhabitants of the Chi due to the negativity of the title, which is more or less a comparison between the murder rates of the Midwest hub to those that died in Iraq. Those sentiments of Chicago’s residents are now felt nationwide.

As a resident of Chicago, I was able to connect to and share the disdain for the name choice of the latest Spike Lee joint, but would wait to develop any intense feelings regarding the film until I was able to grasp what the message of the film was. Unfortunately for Spike, the title will be the last straw for many.

The main and original issue with Chiraq is how it was originally introduced to the people. No matter how affective, good or influential the film would turn out to be the people are turned off by title connotation. And can you blame them? This is where people were born, live and all that some know so they are protective of what is there’s and for a word that is being worked to be buried in community efforts to be used for the title of a Hollywood production there will be a sense of exploitation.

Spike Lee picked in what his mind was a winning project, but is shaping up as a losing war.

The latest battle in this war comes with the release of the trailer. Prior to the release of the star-studded but eye-brow raising two minute teaser Spike took a seat with Chicago Magazine, where he discussed reactions from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, his research and the premise driving the film. Citing assistance by Father Phleger of Chicago, Spike conducted research to understand the gang and violence climate of the city and opposing the criticism of the film by expressing he didn’t create the term, local rappers did, and the motive of the film is to save lives by bringing the matter to the national forefront.

Then we have the trailer. We all know Spike Lee as a director of artistic expression, but upon the glance of a person who is already opposed to the film due to the aforementioned negative connotation the meaning may not connect. Upon the first viewing, the film appears to be a story reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar’s “Sherane” tale, told by a pimp named Sam Jackson, because we don’t know his film name as of yet, and the revolt of women who will hold out sexually to accomplish a goal.

In the same Chicago Magazine conversation, Spike dives into the plot letting us know it is invigorated with the Greek tale of Lysistrata from writer Aristophanes way back in 411 B.C. That story features a main female character fed up with war and initiating a sex strike to end the battle, but switching the scene to modern day Chicago. Providing a little more details, Lee shares while serious there will be humorous moments and he is “not gonna make light of the loss of life.”

As a Chicagoan and a huge fan of your past work I can acknowledge the positive intent to make an issue better, but I can let you know that it will not resonate well within the city and our voices will ripple throughout the film’s release.

What our city is looking for is direct answers and leadership, not symbolism in the form of sex deprivation in a Hollywood film. We are looking for our heroes to be at the forefront of our movement, and no shade here, but not a bald and rapping Nick Cannon. With a movie message we would be looking for a solution not an unintentional feeling of exploitation of our situation.