Educational Media Reviews Online

In 1979 Frank Davis was elected the first African-American sheriff of Claiborne County, Mississippi, one of 13 black sheriffs in Mississippi. One of eleven children Davis attended poorly supplied segregated schools and lived in substandard housing. After being forced into the armed forces as a result of his participation in some of the civil rights marches in the 1960's, Davis returned home and became of member of the county sheriff's office. His election as sheriff required Davis to deal with the arrest of family members and an increase in drug traffic. He was successfully re-elected to his post five times, eventually becoming the head of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association and gaining the respect of his community.

This video cannot decide whether it wants to be about the life of Sheriff Davis or about the changes brought about by the civil rights movement and the poverty found in Mississippi even to the present day. Much of the film focuses on the marches and riots that took place in the 1960's including footage of Charles Evers, the brother of slain civil rights leader Medgar, encouraging support for the boycotts taking place in Davis's home town of Port Gibson to force improvement in the treatment of African Americans. Also included is a public relations piece created by the state of Mississippi showing the importance of segregation in keeping the peace and how blacks and whites worked together in spite of the social segregation required. This historic film provides an excellent touch contrasting the views of segregation with the society in which Davis grew up. While the history of those years is important, the film does not do much to tie Davis’ previous experiences to his current day life beyond noting that he had to participate in the marches and other activities to encourage change.

Interviews include Davis's mother (a night club owner who has been arrested by officers from her son's department at least once), one of his deputies, the minister of Davis's church and other community residents. Though some of these relate to Davis; they tend to focus more on the problems of the segregated South. There are also lots of scenes of choirs singing in various churches in the community. The disjointedness continues with Davis in his role as deacon of his church, and the many unexplained scenes of choirs performing. There is no real indication why these singers are included beyond the fact that one of the student groups is from Alcorn State where many of the protests for civil rights in Mississippi began. It would be much more interesting to see more scenes of Davis doing his job and how he interacts with various members of the community. There is one scene of Davis in a meeting but there is no sound. It would be exciting to see him interact with the other people especially those against him. It would also be fascinating to see more members of his family especially those who are angry that he arrested them for crimes they committed while he was sheriff, or to hear from the man he defeated in his first election since he was the one that hired Davis to his first position in the Sheriff's Office.

This is a very disorganized film that has lost its way. It is wonderful to see a successful African-American man helping to protect the community where he is a native son. It is also remarkable to hear how different groups feel about race relations in their community. However this film fails in its attempt to make viewers feel proud of Davis or become more interested in race-relations in Mississippi. Those interested in 20th century history may want to added this item to their collections but this is not a necessary purchase.