Blacked Out Film Review
I really enjoyed this film because it was very raw and eye-awakening and shed light on the effects of racism that tends to be forgotten. The students did a great job of recording all the key elements that go into the debate of whether the school should keep the disturbing tile up or not. I enjoyed how the students included all community members in the video and got everyone’s perspective on the situation. This shows how all members of the community were affected by the disturbing tile. I found it important that the students incorporated statements from people of all ages and ensured that the whole community was involved. I thought I was able to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how the children and educators were feeling when they viewed the artwork and what they thought the best course of action should be by incorporating both students and faculty in the film.
Personally, I think the tile should have remained in its original state since it depicts a time when black people were marginalized and their lives were in danger. This tile depicts the horrors of the past and shouldn't be hidden or ignored. That tile, in my opinion, ought to have remained in place as a reminder of how bleak our world was and how far we have come. While the past is gone, it should never be forgotten, and I think the school was trying to censor the students from the upsetting tile rather to shield them and protect them from a disturbing image. Given that the viewers of the tiles are young children, I believe it is necessary for them to be exposed to such serious pieces of art since it enlightens them about history rather than leaving them with a sugar-coated perception of it. How difficult must it be for other 10-year-olds to recognize how unfairly some of their peers are treated if a black student must become acclimated to things like the "talk" at the age of 10? After the disturbing tile was discovered, the topic of the town's historical racism was brought up, allowing for more frank discussions of the subject. I think that by having these difficult discussions about whether to embrace or suppress such subjects, we can improve our society and make it better than it was in the past. If the school kept covering up that tile, it would be almost as if they were trying to ignore the problem of historical racism in that town rather than acknowledging it and moving on. That’s why I think it was a good idea for them to put the tile in town hall to serve as a symbol for the community.
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