Saving Our Schools from Hate and Violence

After watching Michael Pritchard talk to kids for 15 years, I feel like I know the basic format of his routine like I know the back of my Hyundai. Yet, I am consistently surprised each and every time by his unique gift for establishing rapport and eliciting straight-up talk from children of all ages, even--perhaps especially--teens. In this timely two-part series, Pritchard visits a couple of high schools to talk about making our schools safe in the wake of the Columbine tragedy and other shootings over the past few years. In Part 1, "Breaking the Silence About Hate and Violence," he addresses an auditorium audience on violence in the media (suggesting that, in his next Hollywood blockbuster, Arnold Schwarzenegger probably won't put the safety on his Uzi in favor of exploring conflict resolution or anger management), and the importance of talking about the issues, before settling down with smaller groups for a face-to-face discussion. The kids are remarkably well-spoken (with the exception of a few regurgitated media soundbites, such as the one about young male shooters "not crying with tears, but with bullets") and honest about their fears (or indifference) concerning school violence, their admission that they have had revenge fantasies, and the problems of dealing with repeated harassment and bullying. In Part 2, "Building Caring and Safe Communities," Pritchard reminds his listeners that "hurt people hurt people," and explores ways in which teens can reach out to their peers, and take personal responsibility for their own actions, as well as their responses to the actions of others. Not a candy-coated moral lecture by any means (there are plenty of opposing viewpoints expressed here and one kid even points out that teens today have heard all of these things a million times and it just doesn't seem to be having much effect), Saving Our Schools from Hate and Violence is an excellent discussion starter on an (unfortunately) hot current issue. My only quibble is that you'll have to buy both parts at a price that seems a bit high for a one hour (fairly straightforward) video that was at least partially financially underwritten by See's Candies. Otherwise, highly recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (R. Pitman)