#southernrites

While touring the University of Wisconsin today, Cowgirl and I had the chance to view this exhibition. It was one of the most moving experiences I've had in a long time. As a white woman who's never believed other races were "less than," I've had a hard time understanding how racism is still a problem. What I saw today broke my heart. I had no idea how bad it is in some places. If you don't understand racism in the U.S. today, I encourage you to find a way to see the documentary. #southernrites (at Chazen Museum of Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvidNo2lGmP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p9hi7fmviuec

This is Alejo Rodriguez. I met him almost two years ago at Otisville Prison. He was an inmate there, incarcerated for 32 years. I was nine months pregnant and there to screen Southern Rites. He facilitated the lively discussions and always made sure I had water, and a comfortable chair because he wanted me off of my feet, worried I was going to go into labor. Tonight I had the joy of seeing him as a free man. He spoke about all the small pleasures he is relishing. This is the first time in his life he’s had a dish rack, cutting board, and a phone. He is teaching at John Jay and is making a film. He had a smile from ear to ear and it was contagious. Thank you Aperture for this evening, and shining light on our #prisonnation Get the magazine and see this exhibition. #southernrites #getliftedfilmco (at Aperture Foundation)

It’s been two years since @southernrites came out. Since then our film has been screened all over the country and world - in schools, prisons, universities, museums, churches and synagogues. Thank you to all the brave students from Montgomery County High school, the Patterson Family @johnlegend and @HBO for continuing to fight for justice #tbt #southernrites #blacklivesmatter #hbodocumentary #johnlegend #justinpatterson (at Good Morning America Live Show)

Southern Rites screened for over 200 high school students yesterday at the Jewish Museum. 15 year old Darius wants to know why the judicial system was so unfair. #teenagewisdom #southernrites @johnlegend @mike___jackson @womenmakemovies #getliftedfilmco (at The Jewish Museum)

#NowWatching Southern Rites | Listen to the sheer agony in this Mother's voice... Far too many of our Queens are enduring this very emotion as our people continue to suffer from racially motivated crimes - Southern Rites, (executive produced John Legend) chronicles the aftermath and trial of Norman Neesmith, a 62-year-old white man who shot and killed Justin Patterson, a 22-year-old, unarmed black man because Patterson and his younger brother Sha’von were—unbeknownst to him—invited in his house by his biracial niece, Danielle. Very similar to most cases of unarmed blacks being murdered, Justin who was a college student & great father- was demonized during the trial which resulted in His murderer choosing a plea deal & receiving less than a year in jail on reduced charges- same state where a segregated prom was held only a few years ago #southernrites #hbo #ConsciousKingdom #BlackLivesMatter #justinpatterson (at ConsciousKingdom.BigCartel.com)

@johnlegend thank you for the most beautiful song you made for #southernrites It gives me chills every time I listen to it. Here is #johnlegend in the recording studio signing #westillbelieve #getliftedfilmco (at Germano Studios)