Progressive Prosecutor Satana Deberry Made History. Now the Real Fight Begins.

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When Satana Deberry took the oath of office as district attorney of Durham County, North Carolina, in January 2019, it was a momentous occasion—for the city of Durham, and for her, as a Black woman elected to an office historically held by white men, whose “tough on crime” policies have devastated communities of color for decades. She ran her campaign being vocal about the over-policing of Black and Brown folks, promising sweeping reform. Now, more than a year into office, she faces the complicated realities of seeking to reform a deeply flawed criminal justice system and support a community ravaged by gun violence. She’s learning that implementing change will be harder than she could have anticipated.

Deberry stars in a new short film, "I Am Not Going to Change 400 Years in Four", directed by Angela Tucker and Kristi Jacobson, produced by Chicken and Egg Pictures, and proudly presented by Mother Jones.

Deberry's election made history. Now she’s grappling with what it means to run a law enforcement system that locks up people who look like her.

Related contentHear Mother Jones reporter Jamilah King interview Satana Deberry as part of a broader examination of progressive prosecutors and how the office has become a focal point in the Republicanled culture war over criminal justice reform, on a recent episode of the Mother Jones Podcast

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