Wonder how it is that HBO doesn't do much "documentary" on the daily black on black violence in Chicago. Keep getting fooled.

This is a well constructed documentary concerning the highly publicized shooting and killing of teen Jordan Davis by Michael David Dunn. This took place November 23, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida and had deep implications. Dunn claimed self defense under the stand your ground law as tensions ensued over the playing of loud rap music.The themes included seeded racism and distrust. Stand Your Ground is the new Jim Crow which allows whites to shoot blacks because they feel threatened by them and how can a jury determine how one feels? This documentary pieced together actual statements and trial footage. I don't recall any re-enactment. The testimony is done in pieces in order to present a chronological order of events. Dunn's side of the issue is also presented, but keep in mind the intent of the film was not to exonerate him."In "Race, law, and health: Examination of 'Stand Your Ground' and defendant convictions in Florida," researchers Nicole Ackermann, Melody S. Goodman, Keon Gilbert, Cassandra Arroyo-Johnson, and Marcello Pagano combed through data from a Tampa Bay Times investigation. They further examined the 204 cases in the state in which Stand Your Ground was cited as a defense against homicide or some other violent act and the results were, sadly, not surprising. The study found that in cases argued from 2005 to 2013, juries were twice as likely to convict the perpetrator of a crime against a white person than against a person of color. "These results are similar to pre-civil rights era statistics, with strict enforcement for crimes when the victim was white and less-rigorous enforcement with the victim is non-white," the researchers report." Guide: F-bomb.

Good documentary about the killing of an African-American teenager in Florida the impact of the case and the trial of the perpetrator. Through good editing and subtle presentation of the court case, the film is able to show how "stand your ground" laws mud the waters even more instead of helping the justice system. The film does a good job of raising -and answering- important questions about human morality, cultural differences and perception, and the justice system. A few facts of the case were left out and you might feel that there's something missing in order to makes this a truly great docu, but overall it's still a well made and important film.

The facts of 17 year old Jordan Davis' death are well known.While at a gas station with friends in Jacksonville Florida, he was shot dead by a middle aged white male who took offence to the loud Rap music the kids were playing in their car.What is less well known is the truth.Did Jordan verbally threaten to kill the man? Did he brandish a weapon of his own? Did he then leave his car in order to kill him?Vitally, did Michael Dunn, Jordan's killer, act in self defence?These are the questions explored by Marc Silver's excellent documentary. Never heavy handed, the film tells the story of the aftermath of Jordan's death and its affect on the family as they embark on a 2 year journey to find justice for their lost son.But far more than a personal family story, the film lifts the lid on America's trigger finger, the bubbling undercurrent of racial hate and the absurd 'stand your ground' law that essentially protects gun totting yahoos like Michael Dunn, from paying for their hate crimes.I was lucky enough to be at a special screening, where both Marc and Jordan's father, Ron Davis spoke about the making of the film.Ron is an amazing man. While certainly distraught following the loss of his son, he has also been galvanised into action. He is on a mission to amend the 'stand your ground' law and ensure that no more families have to suffer the tragedy that has befallen his.Eloquent and self assured, the events of Black Friday have transformed him into a powerful activist who I am sure will achieve his goals.Go watch this film for the excellent story telling. Go see it for the beautiful cinematography. Go see it for the raw emotion and performances - none of the scenes have been set up for our entertainment. We see every player in this tragic drama as they really are.But most of all just go see it because Ron Davis, Jordan's Mother, Lucia and all the other families affected by this terrible law need and deserve your understanding and support.