The film follows a diverse group of 12 New York City teens through a yearlong exploration of race and racism. “The kids have the kinds of conversations most of us are afraid to have,” notes director Catherine Wigginton Greene. “By watching the painful, awkward, uncomfortable—and sometimes fun—process they go through, audiences will hopefully learn how to have those effective conversations that can lead to progress.”

Two free, public screenings will be held during SLIFF; one on November 19 at St. Louis University (Center for Global Citizenship) and a second on November 20 at the Tivoli Theatre. Additional private viewings with facilitated post-talks will be shown to thousands of public and private school students and educators from the St. Louis area.

Currently, the film is showing in multiple public and private viewings in Denver, CO, for members of the mayor’s office, governor’s staff, local law enforcement personnel and business community in addition to audiences of private and public school students, families and educators. Screenings are being sponsored by the Denver Public School District as well as by the History Colorado Center in coordination with the traveling exhibit, “Race: Are We So Different?”

Since late August, the film has been shown in several private viewings to students, parents and teachers at schools across the country. While the film was created, first and foremost, for families and educators, I’m Not Racist…Am I? is resonating with the wider public as well—as evidenced by the multiple screenings scheduled for Denver and St. Louis, and by the reception from the business world. The first corporate viewing was held for employees of Google in early October. Marjai Roberts, Talks at Google Coordinator & BGN Speaker Events Co-Lead, called the experience “A powerful and timely event with one of the most diverse group of Googlers together in one room talking about racial issues and solutions.”

I’m Not Racist…Am I?, co-produced by The Calhoun School in collaboration with Point Made Films, marks the completion of the first phase of Calhoun’s three-part Deconstructing Race initiative. In addition to the documentary film, the school is working on creating curriculum for students in kindergarten through twelfth grades and an interactive website for students, teachers and parents. The school received its initial $250,000 grant for the Deconstructing Race project from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2002, followed by grants from the Gilder Foundation the Bertha Foundation, and the Asian Women Giving Circle. Numerous endorsements for the project have come from organizations, educators and scholars including Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and the National Association of Independent Schools.

“The recognition the film has been receiving is a profound example of how this sensitively conceived film, and the entire Deconstructing Race project, can inspire and motivate students, teachers and parents to have productive conversations about race and racism in America,” observes Head of School Steve Nelson.

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History Colorado's mission is to inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado. We serve as the state's memory, preserving the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through our museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections, and outreach to Colorado communities. Find History Colorado on all major social media platforms. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Deborah Radman
deborah.radman@state.co.us
303-866-3670 (direct)