American Violet Screening at Emory Today 9/15

Emory's Center for Ethics, as part of its series "Ethics@The Movies," will be screening American Violet which tells the true story of a young African-American woman caught up in a small town Texas drug raid by law enforcement. The movie will screen tonight at Emory University's White Hall at 6p and will feature a discussion with Regina Kelly, the young woman whose story inspired the film. The screening is free and open to the public. RSVP at 404-727-4954 or email at ethics@emory.edu

I reviewed the film previously on my other blog and I have posted it here for your reference:

American Violet tells the story of Dee Roberts, a young Texas woman who is swept up in a drug raid on her housing project and wrongfully accused of dealing drugs. Based on a true story, the film highlights one Texas district attorney’s agenda of targeting poor black communities and bolstering his conviction rate by forcing suspects (some innocent, some not) to plea bargain. Dee, who holds fast to the fact that she has done nothing wrong, eventually teams up with two ACLU lawyers and a local lawyer to mount a civil suit against the DA’s racist agenda. Their suit is successful insofar as they are able to dismantle the drug task force targeting poor communities, expunging their records, and obtaining a nominal settlement. While not the best film, the movie does highlight the severe problems with this country’s criminal justice system and its disparate treatment and impact on poor people of color. Yet it also provides hope that there are some people who are courageous enough to put their lives on the line to do what’s right and obtain at least a modicum of justice. Nicole Beharie, who plays Dee, is a talented Juliard-trained actress and will be one to watch as her career blossoms. Alfre Woodard is also featured as Dee’s mother.