One segment that I would like to speak to is the moment when Smith portrayed the witness that was not allowed to testify. I think this speaks directly to the way that narratives can be created and shaped to convey one particular narrow-minded idea of what is right. I was especially intrigued by this segment because it made me think about the way that the court can pick and choose who testifies, affecting the judgement of the jury, and even the overall verdict. This woman was so taken aback by the court's decision not to have her testify, and she exclaimed that without a testimony like hers, the officers would surely be acquitted. Minority voices are often ignored and tossed to the side, and I believe that is exactly what happened here. I thought it was very important of Smith to include this moment in her performance to address the idea of this narrative and who gets to create it.
I would also like to bring up another segment from the performance. I was very struck when watching Smith's portrayal of the anonymous male juror, particularly because of his explanation of the way his life was dramatically changed after the verdict was announced. What an interesting angle to explore that we don't get to see very often, especially in a case like this. A moment that especially stuck out me was when the juror said that he and other members of the jury felt like "pawns to the system". Were he and the other jurors just blindly contributing to a narrative already written for them? The juror is obviously feeling an overwhelming amount of emotions such as guilt, fear, and shame. In the performance, Smith is crying and wiping away tears, which is very humanizing. The vulnerability Smith illustrates through her performance gives insight to what it could possibly be like to be in this situation. Being a juror on a trial like this would be so incredibly stressful and demanding. It would effect all aspects of ones life, not just during the trial, but as emphasized through this interview, after the trial as well. Going from being a normal citizen to having to constantly fear for the safety of oneself and ones family is a reality for this anonymous juror, something I could never possibly fathom.
A few others have commented on the role of the jurors, and it makes me think more deeply about the system and process of being a juror: how they are prepared, what guidance they are given, how they process after the fact. I wonder how many government classes, if any, talk about jury duty or run simulations of this part of citizenship. Your post speaks well to the stakes and difficulty of this job.
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