Re: open letter

[Csubstance@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/26/06 1:54:45 PM, gbracey1@verizon.net writes:

<< The conditions were different and what worked in LA fell flat in 
Sacramento. >>

Assuming that it "worked" in LA as portrayed in the movie. Which I've heard 
is less the case. The biggest problem with the movie was that it telescoped 
reality, thereby leaving many teachers with the impression that such work could 
be done in a year or two (it took five or more). 

I remember years ago working in the ghetto schools. The teachers were all 
forcing their students to watch "Stand and Deliver." Every kid told me they had 
been forced to watch it at least three times (by junior year), usually by 
younger teachers. When I surveyed the kids (hard core ghetto and barrio, no magnet 
school or specialty ones), they had all seen "Colors" and thought it more 
reflective of their reality than "Stand and Deliver." As time evolved, "Colors" 
was joined by "Boyz in the Hood," "American Me," and "Clockers" on that list of 
what I called "gang banger movies." But the fact was, the banger films got 
much closer to the reality than the Escalante hagiography. 

Sad it was, but true. 

George Schmidt