DAUK Film Night: Screening and Discussion of Racially Charged: America’s Misdemeanor Problem

Join DAUK’s Film Committee and Black Caucus for the screening of Racially Charged: America’s Misdemeanor Problem followed by a conversation with Harvard Law Professor Alexandra Natapoff whose book inspired the documentary.  Professor Keith Magee, public intellectual, theologian, and social justice scholar at University College London and Newcastle University will moderate the discussion. 

• 13 million – 1 in 20 – Americans are charged with misdemeanors every year and
• 80% of all criminal court cases are for misdemeanors.

This powerful film shines a light on the origins and role misdemeanors have played in America’s history of racial injustice and how the use of misdemeanor charges continues to be an abusive tool in the U.S. criminal justice system.  It highlights real cases of individuals thrown into jails across the country for misdemeanors such as jaywalking, loitering, penny-ante shoplifting and minor traffic violations, and demonstrates how ‘minor infractions’ have major life-changing impacts on people’s lives – wildly disproportionately –   on Black, Latino and/or poor communities.  Professor Natapoff will help us consider how this little-known but malevolent feature of the criminal justice system clogs up jails and courts and ruins lives. and how and where progress is being made

Be sure to book your place to learn more and find out how and where progress is being made. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/racially-charged-americas-misdemeanor-problem-tickets-291431027047

For more information about the issues go to https://democratsabroad.org.uk/who-we-are/caucuses-committees/about-film-committee/upcoming-film-nights/racially-charged-americas-misdemeanor-problem/