Educational Media Reviews Online

Beyond Black and White: Affirmative Action in America is a fascinating, thought provoking record of a panel discussion sponsored as part of the Fred Friendly Seminars of the Columbia University School of Journalism. The panel, moderated by Charles J. Ogletree of the Harvard Law School, included a federal judge, a college president, a California regent, a congressman, an army general, as well as ethnic community leaders, government and business executives. This distinguished gathering examined, in a hypothetical role-playing situation, the affirmative action admission policies of Big State University in the state of Westralia. What became very clear as the dialog progressed is how complex the question of race in American life is, and how interwoven it is with social, political, and economic issues. While all would agree that as Americans we do share ultimate belief in inclusiveness and opportunity for all citizens, there is considerable disagreement on the means to achieve those goals. Even within minority communities, there is no unanimity on this issue. Affirmative action has been criticized or lauded as having established a quota system, having failed those who fall out of the educational system, having made people sensitive to all aspects of humanity, or having benefited only those middle and upper class minorities. While consensus exists that affirmative action is not all good or all bad, this seminar serves as a stimulus for discussion of what one participant aptly called a very "nuanced issue," and offers an opportunity to build bridges between citizens of differing viewpoints.

This film would serve as an excellent catalyst for a class or community discussion on the impact of affirmative action. Recommended for public libraries, colleges and universities.