Filmmaker Sonia Lowman's documentary links the tumult of the 1957 integration of Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas with the state of re-segregation in today's public education system. Teach Us All works best in detailing the struggle of the Little Rock Nine, who faced racist mobs in an effort to gain access to a public high school—which was only achieved after President Eisenhower gave them an escort in the form of the 1,200-man 327th Airborne Battle Group of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division. Two members of the Little Rock Nine plus a white classmate who witnessed events vividly recall that historical episode, as well as desperate efforts by Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus to keep his state's public school racially segregated. Somewhat less successful are Lo's efforts to explain why many public schools in major metropolitan areas continue to lack racial and ethnic diversity. Case studies in Little Rock, New York City, and Los Angeles offer demographic information without asking the truly tough questions about why so many of today's public schools fail to turn out students who are able to function at their grade levels. A few success stories are highlighted, most notably Little Rock's Baseline Academy, but these feel like isolated exceptions to a dismal rule. Presented in a full-length version and a 57-minute abridged edition, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Teach Us All
(2017) 80 min. DVD: $125: public libraries; $350: colleges & universities. DRA. The Video Project. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 33, Issue 2
Teach Us All
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