Why this movie was 'slept on'.

Most people agree this is an excellent movie that sails very close to reality - production values, acting - all good. Very under-rated. So what happened - why is it not a recognised classic?
Because it shows young black males in an extraordinarily bad light, regardless of the noble intentions of the film-makers. Even the so-called 'racist' white cop looks like a sympathetic character. After all what can you do with these uncontrollable criminal scum who display such treachery even to their friends and peers that you half expect them to try to rip themselves off at any moment, if it were possible.... No, some (probably white) 'Liberal' type didn't like what they saw.