From “stand-your-ground” and “open carry” laws to police shootings and responses to bullying, the legal limits of self-defense have never been fuzzier. Sensationalized media reports further confuse and complicate the issues. Students’ interpretations of the controversies have real-life consequences, especially for young people of color. This lesson uses media analysis, group discussion and persuasive writing to help students make sense of the legal reality. They’ll sort through stereotypes and prejudices as they examine the role of storytelling in the legal system. This in-depth exploration will focus on a single case as it is presented in the documentary Out in the Night. The film looks at a 2006 case in which a group of young, low-income, African-American lesbians were accused of gang assault and attempted murder.
