This hour-long discussion features noted psychiatrist Dr. Alvin Pouissant (consultant to The Cosby Show) along with a few other adults talking about racism with a group of Medford, MA high school students from various backgrounds. Noting the growing racial tension on high school campuses, mediator Buzz Luttrel asks the students to come up with a solution. On the positive side, the program does tackle some of the less discussed issues at the bottom of the conflicts--such as interracial dating--as well as the standard problems of peer pressure, the passing down of prejudice within the family, and the practice of scapegoating (i.e. some group taking the blame for perceived societal ills). Some of the give and take between students and adults is pretty good, but Luttrel's mediation--reminiscent of an aggressive TV talk show host--is a little annoying. Too, in true TV style, the program acts as if it's "solved" the problem at the end of the hour (but a visualization exercise on peace didn't convince me that a rainbow coalition was imminent). The hype on the video box was also bothersome--the touted "Foreword by U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno" is a text quote, nothing more; and the box carries a weird note: "Caution: to use this program with students you should have proper training..." (Give me a break: this is a video bull session, not a piece of agricultural field equipment.) Prejudice: Answering Children's Questions (reviewed in our December 1992 issue) or PBS's Soapbox With Tom Cottle: Teenagers and Racism are better choices. An optional purchase. (R. Pitman)
The Possible Dream?
(1993) 60 min. $69.95. The Foundation Payal (dist. by SelectVideo Publishing). PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 3
The Possible Dream?
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