ColorBlind

This is one of those films on antiracism that all but begs to be shown to schoolchildren, the college-aged, and teenagers of what sincere antiracism could accomplish as opposed to the cynicism of much of the post-Dr. King era.

Eseentially, a brilliant Black teacher named Mr. Bell inspires his elementary and middle school students (all but three being white) by example and gentle lessons during the civil rights movement and the turbulent Detriot riots of 1967. The students drift apart in life, but remembering the specialness of their experiences with Mr. Bell, they decide upon a reunion. The film deals with the results.

There was a time when this film would have been dismissed as pollyanaish "we are the world"-type mush in the midst of a social culture of cynicism and pessimism. But in this age of Barack Obama, much of the country seems ready to embrace its message and catch up with the teachings of Mr. Bell some forty years later. This is a must-see to inspire students.