What's Race Got to Do with It?

Despite decades of campus diversity programs and initiatives, many of our discussions about race remain mired in confusion. Even a casual observer can't help but notice how structural racism is often ignored, how multiculturalism is confused with equality, and how many campuses remain hamstrung in their efforts to become more inclusive and welcoming of everyone. Ironically, in responding to surveys, many students claim they already know all they need to know about diversity, and they shy away from opportunities to engage in interracial dialogue and understanding. To confront these challenges, California Newsreel produced this essential tool to support campus equity goals.

What's Race Got to Do with It? is a 49-minute documentary film that goes beyond identity politics, celebratory history, and interpersonal relations to consider social disparities and their impact on student success in a post-Civil Rights world.

The film serves as a powerful follow-up to Skin Deep, California Newsreel's compelling 1995 release which has become a core audiovisual resource in student affairs and youth programs across the nation. Like its predecessor, this film chronicles the experiences of a diverse group of college students - in this case, over the course of a 16-week intergroup dialogue program - as they probe and confront each other about such issues as underrepresentation, the limitations of multiculturalism, social equity, affirmative action, and their own responsibilities for making a difference.

What's Race Got to Do with It? goes further,  however, by showing the incremental learning and attitudinal change that can occur over the course of a sustained dialogue, illuminating the stark differences that exist between students on the same campus.

Given the paucity of films whose subject is our own complex set of racial beliefs, What's Race Got to Do with It? remains a key resource for educators, youth leaders, and advocates concerned with strengthening young people's commitment to a more equitable democracy - one that works for everyone.

Major funding provided by Lumina Foundation for Education. Additional funding provided by the Akonadi Foundation, Nu Lambda Trust and the Eastman Fund.