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.
"Contains a wealth of pedagogy and substance, especially as pertaining to race relations on campus. Well-crafted and highly recommended."
Lester P. Monts, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, University of Michigan
"What’s Race Got to Do with It? can help anyone-counselors, student affairs directors, faculty, parents and especially students-realize that tension around race is not something to be ashamed of or denied but can be confronted and worked through as leaders of the future. The results are worth it."
Gwendolyn Dungy, Executive Director, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
"What’s Race Got To Do With It?...Everything if you are a person of color! Students of different racial identities share their experiences of race and class. A great resource for college student educators who want to understand and act."
Greg Roberts, Executive Director, American College Personnel Association
"Recent years have seen a troubling decline in respect among, and trust of, individuals and groups who differ from one another. This timely film presents a number of ingenious, promising approaches to restoring these needed qualities."
Howard Gardner, Author of Good Work: When Excellence and Ethics Meet, Harvard University
"It really shows that students who think deeply about this can truly be, transformed in some way. I can imagine using it with students very, easily. A very powerful educational piece for use with first-year, students...and all undergraduates as well."
Mary Stuart Hunter, Director, National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition
What's Race Got to Do with It?
Guides
What's Race Got to Do with It? - Social Disparities and Student Success Guide
What's Race Got to Do with It? Companion Website (https://www.whatsrace.org/)
Links
Facing You, Facing Me, a book about the U.C. Berkeley/Stiles Hall Intergroup Dialogue Program featured in the film
The University of Michigan Program on Intergroup Relations - a national model for dialogue
Citation
Ways to Watch
Educational Streaming
Colleges, Universities, Government Agencies, Hospitals and Corporations.
Community Screening
Short-term use for small groups, organizations, or high school classes (under 100 participants, where no admission is charged).
Home Viewing
48-hour, personal rental for in-home use only, restrictions apply