Civil War (or, Who Do We Think We Are)

The main take away for me was how divided we are as a country in the Deep South. It's still as though the south has not changed from over 120 yrs ago. The Whites still have a need to make sure they are in control of the entire storyline and how white dominated states are going to be this way for many more years.

This film powerfully explores the contemporary impact of how slavery and the Civil War are and are not taught and understood throughout our country. Faulkner said, "The past is never dead. It is not even past." This film serves as a vivid illustration of that truth.

Do yourself a favor...watch it and think.

I was ready for a rather biased indictment of the South and slavery. But the filmmakers really bent over backward to be as balanced as they could. Remember that the northern states and many of our founding fathers held slaves. The sad thing is that many in the South continue to say it's all in the past; it's history: so leave it alone. Yes, according to law, slavery no longer exists. Then we have the same expressions of hatred. I was particularly impressed with the kids in this documentary who were very forthcoming in their views on both sides of the issue.

Dr. Carr's class at Howard University was the highlight of this thorough historical journey through the pedagogy of the civil war in the American education system, from Black schools to White schools, from high schools to universities. Required viewing for all good citizens.

This would have benefited from a more narrow scope because the subject matter is massive and complicated. It bounces around and scratches surfaces but ultimately seems to almost be saying that we'll never be able to change minds. I don't think that was the intention. The interviewer seems to lead or set ip answers a bit too often as well. But still there are powerful and occasionally truly disturbing moments that will leave you thinking and hopefully talking.