Ep 4. Southern Rites

Southern Rites is the fourth episode of the second season of HBO specials. This powerful documentary, directed by Gillian Laub, tells the story of a small town in Georgia that is still deeply divided by race, and the impact that this division has on the young people who live there.

The episode centers around the story of Justin Patterson, a 22-year-old African American man who has grown up in Montgomery County, Georgia. Through intimate interviews with Justin and his family, as well as footage of his daily life, viewers are able to see firsthand the ways in which racism and prejudice are still very much a part of life in this community.

As the episode unfolds, viewers also meet the white residents of Montgomery County, many of whom are struggling to come to terms with the town's fraught relationship with race. One of these residents is Tara Dunahoo, a woman who made national headlines when she posted a racial slur on her Facebook page in response to the town hiring its first black school superintendent. Tara's story is a powerful reminder of the deep-seated racial tensions that still exist in many parts of the country.

Throughout the episode, viewers are also introduced to a number of other Montgomery County residents, both black and white, who are working to create positive change in the community. These individuals include a group of young activists who are fighting for racial justice, as well as a local photographer who has made it his mission to document the lives of African American teenagers in the town.

Overall, Southern Rites is a deeply moving and thought-provoking exploration of race and identity in rural America. Through its honest and unflinching portrayal of life in Montgomery County, the episode challenges viewers to confront the ongoing struggles for equality that still exist in our society today.