Sixteen Ford School masters students speak about their experiences around race and racism on camera in a new student-produced film, "Walking the Line of Blackness". The students screened the film at Weill Hall on April 23 for a crowd of more than 150 Ford School students, faculty, and staff--and they facilitated an intense conversation that followed.
Since its screening, the 20-minute video has been widely disseminated on social media platforms.
"I'm proud of our students for their courage in sharing their personal stories, for creating such a powerful video, and for leading a very constructive community conversation," said Dean Susan Collins. "I share the students' hopes that this video also helps others confront and address very difficult but critical issues around race in our society."
The video was the product of five months of work by the students. Its creation and screening was part of a broad series of events around race and identity hosted at the Ford School this academic year, including public lectures, student-led dialogues, community conversations, and faculty discussions.
The film screening and the conversation that followed incorporated both personal perspective and policy analysis. "I found it moving to see how students trusted each other to share these personal stories, and how all who chose to speak afterwards were treated with respect and compassion," said Susan Guindi, director of student and academic affairs.
View "Walking the Line of Blackness" and read full film credits here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elvsJD-lvoY