Monday, March 16, 2015

RRDT Racial Reconciliation Design Team Suggested Videos for Discussions on Race and Racism

1.     RACE - The Power of an Illusion. | PBS
This series goes back to first principles and ask, what is this thing called "race?" - a question so basic it is rarely raised. What we discovered is that most of our common assumptions about race - for instance that the world's people can be divided biologically along racial lines - are wrong. Yet the consequences of racism are very real. How do we make sense of these two seeming contradictions? Our hope is that this series can help us all navigate through our myths and misconceptions, and scrutinize some of the assumptions we take for granted. In that sense, the real subject of the film is not so much race but the viewer, or more precisely, the notions about race we all hold. Videocassette are available from California Newsreel. To order, call 1-877-811-7495 or fax 1-802-846-1850. You can also visit the California Newsreel Web site for more information: www.newsreel.org



2.     Becoming the Beloved Community: People of Faith Working Together To Eradicate Racism
A DVD produced by Presbyterian Women, and it is accompanied with a study guide that is designed to encourage meaningful dialogue about racism and to equip people of faith to work together to eradicate racism and bring about the beloved community that God intends. The DVD has four 15-minute segments. The accompanying study guide includes questions for reflection and dialogue. ($20 plus shipping)


3.     Becoming the Beloved Community Antiracism Packet (with DVD)
PW's antiracism resource packet is designed to help individuals and groups engage the issue of racism, both individually and collectively. It includes tools for understanding and dismantling racism, including a glossary, worship resources, PW's award-winning Becoming the Beloved Community DVD, articles from The Thoughtful Christian's study pack, and other resources. ($24.95 plus shipping)

4.     Africans in America 
A four-part documentary, originally produced for PBS, that chronicles the history of racial slavery in the United States – from the start of the Atlantic slave trade in the 16th century to the end of the American Civil War in 1865. The series explores the central paradox at the heart of the American story: a democracy that declared “all men equal” but enslaved and oppressed one people to provide independence and prosperity to another.  The series can be purchased at http://www.pbs.org.

5.     At the River I Stand. 
The Spring of 1968 in Memphis marked the dramatic climax of the Civil Rights movement. At the River I Stand skillfully reconstructs the two eventful months that transformed a local labor dispute into a national conflagration, and disentangles the complex historical forces that came together with the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
66 minutes. DVD and video.   To order, call 1-877-811-7495 or fax 1-802-846-1850. You can also visit the California Newsreel Web site for more information: www.newsreel.org



6.     Banished: Banished vividly recovers the too-quickly forgotten history of racial cleansing in America when thousands of African Americans were driven from their homes and communities by violent, racist mobs. The film places these events in the context of present day race relations by following three concrete cases where black and white citizens warily explore if there is common ground for reconciliation over these expulsions.  84 minutes. DVD only. 877-811-1850.

Spike Lee’s documentary chronicles the experiences of people from diverse backgrounds and socio-economic conditions who endured the harrowing ordeal of living in New Orleans during and after the levees were breached. Through eyewitness accounts and expert commentary, the four-part documentary tells the saga of one of the greatest natural disasters experienced by any region of the country and the failure at all levels of government to respond adequately to the tragedy. Three-disc set is available through HBO. 253 minutes. Color. A multi-disciplinary curriculum guide,  “Teaching The Levees,” published and distributed by Teachers College Press, can be downloaded at www.teachingthelevees.com.



A thoughtful critique of the appropriation of Native American culture and spirituality by white new age people who make a living and lifestyle from using and selling indigenous spiritual ritual and symbols. Throughout the video, Native Americans speak about their feelings and thoughts about the role of spiritual practice and the historical appropriation of indigenous land, resources, and now spirituality, by white people. White practitioners of Native American spirituality also share their feelings, thoughts and intentions.
Available for loan from: Western States Center–http://www.westernstatescenter.org. 503-228-8866.

9.     The Color of Fear 
A groundbreaking film about the state of race relations in America as seen through the eyes of eight North American men of Asian, European, Latino and African descent. In a series of intelligent, emotional, and dramatic confrontations the men reveal the pain and scars that racism has caused them. What emerges is a deeper sense of understanding and trust. This is the dialogue most of us fear, but hope will happen sometime in our lifetime.
90 minutes. DVD. (510) 204-8840.



Four days after the 9/11 attacks, Balbir Singh Sodhi was gunned down at his Phoenix area gas station by a man named Frank Roque. To Roque, Balbir Sodhi’s beard and turban – articles of his Sikh faith – symbolized the face of America’s new enemy. A Dream in Doubt follows Rana Singh Sodhi, Balbir’s brother, as he attempts to fight the hate threatening his family and community.
57 minutes. Color. DVD with Study Guide. (415) 863-0814.


An award-winning 14-hour television series produced by Blackside and narrated by Julian Bond. Through contemporary interviews and historical footage, the series covers all of the major events of the civil rights movement from 1954-1985. Series topics range from the Montgomery bus boycott in 1954 to the Voting Rights Act in 1965; from community power in schools to "Black Power" in the streets; from early acts of individual courage through to the flowering of a mass movement.



By Jay Rosenstein, takes a critical look at the long-running practice of using American Indian names and images as mascots in sports. It follows the story of a Native American graduate student, Charlene Teters, and her transformation into the leader of a movement as she struggles to protect her cultural symbols and identity. 46 minutes. May be rented or purchased through New Day Films, 22-D Hollywood Ave., Ho-ho-kus, NJ. 201-652-6590.

American women of Indigenous, African, Arab, European, Jewish, Asian, Latina and Mixed Race descent, use authentic dialogue to crack open a critical door of consciousness.
45 Minutes. Color. DVD or Video. Recommended for advanced use only.



Features the experiences of white women and men who have worked to gain insight into what it means to challenge notions of racism and white supremacy in the United States.
50 minutes. Color. DVD or Video. 510-632-5156.



One hundred years after the massacre at Wounded Knee, Milo Yellow Hair recounts the story of his people – from the lost battles for their land against the invading whites – to the bitter internal divisions and radicalization of the 1970's – to the present-day revival of Sioux cultural pride, which has become a unifying force as the Sioux try to define themselves and their future.  60 minutes. Available through Amazon.com.

16.  Stolen Ground
This film is about six Asian American men who struggle against racism and their anguish and pain at the trauma of assimilation towards themselves and their families. A must-see film for those striving to better understand the "model minority" and the pressures of blending into the American culture.  40 minutes. VHS.  510-204-8840

17.  Traces of the Trade. In this documentary, film maker Katrina Browne discovers that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide.  Traces of the Trade had its national broadcast television premiere on the PBS documentary series P.O.V. in June 2008. 



18.  True Colors.
ABC News documentary about two friends – John, who is White, and Glen, who is Black – who take part in a series of hidden camera experiments exploring people's reactions to each in a variety of situations. Prime Time Live, undercover, follows John and Glen separately as they each try to rent an apartment, respond to job listings, purchase a car, and conduct everyday activities such as shopping. In every instance, John is welcomed into the community while Glen is discouraged by high prices, long waits, and unfriendly salespeople.
19 minutes. Color. DVD or VHS. Available for loan from Justice & Witness Ministries: clementf@ucc.org.

19.  White Like Me
Race, Racism & White Privilege in America

White Like Me, based on the work of acclaimed anti-racist educator and author Tim Wise, explores race and racism in the US through the lens of whiteness and white privilege. In a stunning reassessment of the American ideal of meritocracy and claims that we've entered a post-racial society,
Online at www.mediaed.org: Visit the Video Store section of our site, go to the page for the video you are interested in, and then simply add it to your cart.
You may purchase online with a credit. - See more at: http://www.mediaed.org/wp/faqs#order

20.  Bell Hooks
Cultural Criticism & Transformation

bell hooks is one of America's most accessible public intellectuals. In this two-part video, extensively illustrated with many of the images under analysis, she makes a compelling argument for the transformative power of cultural criticism. bell hooks is the author of numerous critically acclaimed and influential books on the politics of race, gender, class, and culture. There are several ways to order: Online at www.mediaed.org: Visit the Video Store section of our site, go to the page for the video you are interested in, and then simply add it to your cart. You may purchase online with a credit card or choose to pre-pay with a check. - See more at:
http://www.mediaed.org/wp/faqs#order  By phone: (Credit card orders only) Phone the sales department at (413) 584-8500 to place your order. Have your credit card ready. - See more at: http://www.mediaed.org/wp/faqs#order





21.  God in America God in America, is a presentation of AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and FRONTLINE, and explores the historical role of religion in the public life of the United States. The six-hour series interweaves documentary footage, historical dramatization, and interviews with religious historians. God in America examines the potent and complex interaction between religion and democracy, the origins of the American concept of religious liberty, and the controversial evolution of that ideal in the nation's courts and political arena. The series considers the role religious ideas and institutions have played in social reform movements from abolition to civil rights, examining the impact of religious faith on conflicts from the American Revolution to the Cold War, and how guarantees of religious freedom created a competitive American religious marketplace. God in America: How Religious Liberty Shaped America DVD

List Price: $34.99 Our Price: $24.99 Eligible for 2 for $25 Details > Item No.: GODA600

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