The Pushouts centers on a Los Angeles program for youth aged 16-24 who have dropped out of school. Victor Rios, a member of a gang during his teens, once walked in their shoes, growing up poor in West Oakland, becoming a car thief, and racking up three felony convictions. His mother, who had a third grade education, struggled to provide for him and his brother. Director Katie Galloway incorporates footage of Rios from the 1994 Frontline documentary School Colors (VL-5/95). With the help of mentor Martin Flores, Rios gave school another chance, culminating in a PhD in sociology and a tenured professorship at UC Santa Barbara. Although he’s built a good life for himself, he also feels guilty that he hasn’t done more to help others. Flores, who grew up poor himself in East Los Angeles, worries that the underprivileged youth of today face more significant challenges than ever, so he reaches out to Rios for assistance. Initially, Rios declines, but after consulting with his wife, Rebecca, a fellow professor, he decides to participate in the summer program. Galloway focuses on four of their students: Dulce, 21; William, 19; Victoria, 18; and Rynisha, 19. Rios encourages them to keep a journal, explaining that that’s how he wrote his 2011 book Street Life. They also receive instruction in algebra and a form of tightrope-walking designed to build confidence and trust. At the end of the summer, William and Dulce share journal entries that indicate a willingness to move on from traumas in their past. As Flores puts it, "education is a way up and a way out." An inspiring film, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
The Pushouts
(2018) 56 min. DVD: $129: high schools & public libraries; $349: colleges & universities. DRA. Good Docs (avail. from www.gooddocs.net). PPR. Volume 34, Issue 3
The Pushouts
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