A group of students from Stoke Damerel Community College have attended a screening of the Oscar-nominated film Selma as part of the Day of Difference project.
Fourteen students – from Years 7 to 10 – went to see the film at Plymouth Arts Centre on 24 March 2015.
Day of Difference is the Barbican Theatre’s project all about diversity which puts racial intolerance and discrimination under the microscope by encouraging young people to examine their values, attitudes and beliefs.
The workshop on 18 March 2015 was attended by all Year 7 students.
“The film explores how the revered leader and visionary Martin Luther King led a campaign to secure equal rights during the battle for black civil rights,” explained Media Studies teacher Mrs Hardie.
“It was fantastic to support young people engaging and learning through the art of film rather than just consuming it for entertainment.”
The film was used as a springboard for some “quite intense” learning about an important period of history said Mrs Hardie.
“Students were invited to the screening to follow on from an excellent piece of drama they had constructed and performed about the impact of casual racism.
They were also able to invite a friend to accompany them to reinforce the importance of positive relationships and shared experiences.
“It was a real eye-opener to see the segregation and overt racism of the past brought to life on the big screen,” she said.
“It was a very emotional screening which triggered a valuable and, for some, personal exploration of the sacrifices made by a few for the many.”
Student thoughts:
“The film made me cry – it was heartbreaking and devastating.”
“The film opened my eyes to racism – it is not a laughing matter.”
“I learned that everyone is equal.”
“It made me think.”
“I think that everyone should watch it.”
Thank you to Stoke Damerel Community College for writing this blog post.
