On Friday, Feb. 23, students and parents filled J. Crivello Hall for a special screening of the Golden-Globe-nominated film “The Great Debaters” (2007). The screening was held in celebration of Black History Month and was followed by a discussion led by Upper School history teacher Phil Trotter, Parker parent Voltaire Sterling, and cast member Justice Leak.
“The Great Debaters” takes place in 1935 during the Great Depression and the era of Jim Crow. The film stars Denzel Washington as Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at the Historically Black College, Wiley College, in Texas. Tolson assembles a group of promising students and together they start Wiley College’s first debate team. The team succeeds in its competitions and eventually takes on Harvard University’s 47th annual debate team.
“The movie is a period piece that is rich in history, literature, poetry, and imagery,” said Voltaire Sterling. “We were able to draw parallels between the film’s messages encouraging academic excellence and character development and Parker’s credo S.T.R.I.V.E. In fact, during the week that the film was shown, the portion of S.T.R.I.V.E. that the Lower School was focused on was ‘Revere The Truth.’”
Phil Trotter discussed the role of film in helping to shape the narrative in social studies classes.
“Americans learn history, in part, through films. Films can provide students with an emotional connection to events that help develop citizenship skills. Parker upperclassmen watched ‘The Great Debaters’ as Grade 8 students and they can still analyze and discuss aspects of the films as junior and seniors,” Phil said.
Having two members of the film’s cast also added a unique element to the discussion. Voltaire played a minor role in the film alongside Justice, who played student Harland Osbourne.
“The magic of cinema is fascinating,” said Voltaire. “Justice was able to share his insights into the creative process. The two of us had a great banter about our audition experiences and shared what it was like having an opportunity to witness Denzel Washington as a director, actor, and producer all at once.”
Voltaire continued:
“I think the Parker community took away from this film its inspiring messages of the power of words and using your voice to tell your truth, and also of pushing through adversity and never giving up.”
The event was organized by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, including Co-Chair Sophonya Simpson Adams, and Parents Association President Donna Sheridan. Parker’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion Christen Tedrow-Harrison and Phil Trotter also helped to bring the event to fruition. EDI Co-Chair Sophonya Simpson-Adams said she hopes the committee has more opportunities to showcase thought-provoking, dynamic stories that have shaped history in the future.
“It is important to highlight the many talents and contributions made by African Americans throughout history so that the historical events that are often left out of the mainstream historical record can be shared,” said Sophonya. “It is important that these accounts be told and passed down for generations to come.”
It is important to highlight the many talents and contributions made by African Americans throughout history so that the historical events that are often left out of the mainstream historical record can be shared.
