Draft:Iron Grit

• Iron Grit* is a 2019 feature-length documentary film directed by Jamel Lajuan Jackson. The film explores the political and social aftermath of the 1979 police killing of Bonita Carter in Birmingham, Alabama, and the subsequent election of the city’s first Black mayor, Dr. Richard Arrington Jr. The documentary combines historical footage, interviews, and dramatized segments to chronicle a pivotal moment in Birmingham’s political evolution and race relations.

1. 1. Background and Themes

The documentary centers on the killing of Bonita Carter, a 20-year-old unarmed Black woman shot by a white police officer. The public outcry surrounding the incident sparked protests, community activism, and a shift in city politics. *Iron Grit* examines this period through the lens of Birmingham’s civil rights legacy and the complicated relationship between former mayors David Vann and Richard Arrington Jr.

Through interviews and archival footage, the film explores themes of systemic racism, political courage, and historical memory. According to the filmmaker, it aims to spark dialogue on how moments of civil unrest can become catalysts for civic change.

1. 1. Interview Subjects and Filming Locations

Notable interviews featured in the film include:

• Dr. Richard Arrington Jr. – Former Mayor of Birmingham
• Rickey Smiley – Comedian and radio personality
• Local activists, historians, and clergy

Filming took place across several historic locations in Birmingham, including Vulcan Park, Sloss Furnaces, and the campus of Miles College.

1. 1. Production and Releases

The film was independently produced by Jamel Lajuan Jackson under his production label. It premiered in August 2019 at the Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, where it won the **Audience Award for Best Black Lens Film**.

In 2025, a re-edited 55-minute educational version titled *Iron Grit: The Legacy Cut* was created for classroom and community screenings. This edition features updated narration, rights-cleared footage, and additional historical context tailored for educational use.

1. 1. Reception

• Iron Grit* received positive attention for its timely subject matter and local relevance. Its festival screening was praised for contributing to broader conversations on racial equity and political empowerment in Alabama. The Birmingham Times, AL.com, and Alabama Media Professionals featured coverage of the film and interviews with its director.

1. 1. References

• [AL.com – July 2019: “Documentary about Richard Arrington Jr. to premiere at the Sidewalk Film Festival”](https://www.al.com/life/2019/07/documentary-about-richard-arrington-jr-to-premiere-at-the-sidewalk-film-festival.html)
• [AL.com – June 2019: “Forthcoming documentary chronicles Arrington’s rise”](https://www.al.com/life/2019/06/forthcoming-documentary-iron-grit-chronicles-mayor-richard-arrington-jrs-rise-to-power.html)
• [Birmingham Times – June 2019: “Jamel Jackson sheds light on city’s first Black mayor”](https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2019/06/jamel-jackson-filmmaker-sheds-light-on-the-rise-of-citys-first-black-mayor/)
• [B-Metro Magazine – August 2019: “Reserve your seat at Sidewalk Film Festival”](https://b-metro.com/2019/08/04/reserve-your-seat-at-sidewalk-film-festival/)
• [Alabama Media Professionals – March 2022: “Filmmaker Discusses *Iron Grit*: The Story That Changed a City”](https://www.almediaprofessionals.org/single-post/march-2022-meeting-filmmaker-discusses-iron-grit-the-story-that-changed-a-city)
• [Alabama News Center Facebook Interview – 2020](https://www.facebook.com/AlabamaNewsCenter/videos/3149973208353969)

1. 1. See Also

• [Bonita Carter shooting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonita_Carter)
• [Richard Arrington Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Arrington_Jr.)
• [Sidewalk Film Festival](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidewalk_Moving_Picture_Festival)