Early childhood education and basic child care are absolute necessities for any mother. Clarissa Doutherd learned this as a single mother without a home. Taking lived experience and combining it with common sense legislation and a will to make change, Clarissa becomes an activist. She pushes for expanding and strengthening pre-K childcare in California and the abolition of the waiting list which is made up predominantly of black families. We follow the single mother as she tries to balance her quest for justice, the demands of her job, and caring for her son. Over the years, situations and struggles change, but Clarissa’s battle continues. Never once does she lose sight of her long-term goals or passion for her cause. This in-depth biography gives us an up-close and personal experience with the side of activism that doesn’t typically receive much screen time.
While Clarissa’s Battle is an outstanding documentary overall, it does have one problem which may be an issue for some viewers: information overload. I had to watch this documentary in three sittings to take it all in. The bulk of the documentary is a mixture of vlog, fly-on-the-wall, and interview footage, but many asides with additional expositional or historical information exist throughout the documentary. There’s enough content in Clarissa’s Battle for at least two documentaries. A much smaller -and perhaps more expected- issue is the amount of time we spend sitting through city council-type meetings; it’s hard to make such meetings exciting. These small complaints aside, instructors teaching public administration, social justice, and early childhood care will find a cornucopia of useful material. Split into several viewings, Clarissa’s Battle would serve as an excellent source for classroom discussion over a week-long period. Anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of social justice advocacy will want to see this documentary. Clarissa’s Battle painstakingly documents the time, effort, and day-to-day work that goes into successful activism. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Clarissa’s Battle belongs on civil rights, biography, and education documentary shelves.
What type of college instructor would use this documentary?
Professors of education, public administration, and African American studies would find the most use in Clarissa’s Battle.
What kind of film series could use this title?
Any film series focused on early childhood education and the rights of mothers would benefit from the addition of this documentary.