I was moved to complete, thought provoking silence after watching this movie. After the credits ran, I just sat there over an hour with a lingering sadness. This movie was important for me because I often find myself in defense of police officers in volatile situations (due to having law enforcement friends/family members). As a black woman, I have been criticized for not jumping on the protest bandwagon for every police related shooting/killing of a black man. If a black man is fighting police, trying to pull a weapon, or being aggressively resistant, why do we feel they get a pass (although I do not believe they should be shot and killed)? I believe this takes away validity of protests in cases such as Philando Castile and other innocent black men mercilessly killed by police without provocation. This movie had several notable perspectives - from black men being tired of harassment for merely being black, to cops wanting to go home to their families at the end of the day. The irony of the 'jury of peers' was not lost on me. I loved the balance of this film; it doesn't force you to pick a side; it allows you to see perspectives other than your own. Gordon, the twelfth juror, said I've ever wanted to say when having this difficult discussion. I found the movie to be captivating. I needed to see this and so do you!
Review of American Skin
