Respectfully this film is valet in generating one’s opinion of race however, Black Americans built this country and as individuals each of us are in charge of our own realities. The black community has shaped the thoughts and views of these young people and as long as different segments of out communities choose to be shown in negative ways through their thoughts and actions, then that is what will be instilled in out children.  For example, our childhood experiences have a direct correlation on how we shape and view ourselves as adults.  If a child does not learn the importance of knowledge, education and social skills then those values will not be important once adulthood is reached.  Although some adults learn these important skills later in life, and after they catch up can because a positive influence. Those who do not learn and value these skills will in instill negative thinking about themselves and all black people, and in their mind will put us in one group and pass that type of thinking down to there children.  This is called “limitation of thought”, in which you limit your thinking about your history, the world and what you can or can not do.  In their minds they view this as their reality but in essence it is not.  This type of thinking limits your ability to do, act, talk, think, and just be.  Now, it is very important to remember that children learn by watching and listening to us, we can put thoughts in a child’s mind that he or she can do anything that they put their time and effort into doing.  Remember it does not matter where you come from, it only really matters where you end up.  Knowledge and education is the key to success.

Well the segment dealing with the dolls is a bit hard and not to be taken at face value. The doll culture is a white/ European one. In African or Asians culture people traditionally make dolls out of organic materials so not so realistic lets say, in European culture dolls were made not to be played with or spoken to but to serve as works of art in their perfection. We gotta see what the history of the object is ...before we give ######-up-ed-ness a greater chance!

This film made me really sad.  And it made me miss living in more urban areas where I had the opportunity to meet and be friends with men and women from a variety of cultures (I currently live in northern Idaho which is white-white-white).  And it makes me question how race is IGNORED in schools.  How can we be real friends with those from other cultures when we are not supposed to--for the sake of politeness--acknowledge difference except on specified “multicultural” days.  Maybe things have changed since I was a child, but I think this film shows that they haven’t changed much.

This is a great documentary. This site is wonderful for giving an venue for films about issues that affect the US and the world.

This was kind of sad to watch. I could relate to a lot (like the hair thing. I would love to wear my hair natural-kinky and all. we read a play where a girl wore her hair natural and it inspired me. i haven’t permed my hair since.). But what was a surprise to me was the part where white was “prettier”. Maybe I’m just ignorant but I love my skin. I am the darkest child my parents had and I’m proud of it. I had baby dolls white and black and my favorites were the black ones because they looked like me. I can’t believe that less than 25% of the children in the doll test saw it that way.

Wow.

I have a friend who’s mixed, her dad is black and her dad is white. We stayed up talking one night and I discovered that she can’t see herself marrying a black guy. I’d be bothered by this if it weren’t for the fact that I can’t see myself with a white one. It’s sad.