In fall 2005, acclaimed filmmakers Marco Williams and Whitney Dow discussed their documentary, I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education at a Community Conversation at Evanston High School which drew nearly 500 community members, teachers, and students.
The film explores the legacies of the
Brown vs. Board decision outlawing segregation in public schools, and
follows a racially diverse group of high school students in New York as
they attempted to integrate their self-segregated lunchroom. The film
inspired audience members to take immediate action, particularly when
one student attendee said, "You've seen the film. Now what are you
going to do about it?" This challenge sparked students to jump up from
their seats and introduce themselves to someone they didn't know. When
things settled down, dozens of students lined up at the microphone to
talk honestly and thoughtfully about how issues of race and ethnicity
get played out in their schools.
"The movie helped me understand it
[segregation] a little bit better. Segregation is fueled by fear and
stereotypes. I love the idea of people of all races talking to someone
of a different race," said 9th grader Jasmine P. from Young Women's
Leadership Charter School.
Williams and Dow also met with 145 Facing History students from Maine West and Evanston Township High Schools earlier that day.
Community Conversations is a national speaker series offered by Facing History and The Allstate Foundation that examines issues of civic responsibility.