America Beyond the Color Line with Henry Louis Gates Jr. (TV Mini Series 2002–2004) Poster

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8/10
Growth
SKuta16 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed the documentary for many reasons. The diverse experiences from the varied roles shared with such candor and on such a subject that most avoid to be politically correct - which actually seems to be part of our challenge. How can we become more familiar to our differences, to the degree beyond comfort, of embracing and with affection, without the beginnings of such an exchange? Since most of us aren't anthropologists or historians, the challenge goes beyond anything most of have lived. Such a beautiful perspective that snuck into my heart because of the honesty, without the naming blame like is so often seen. I am tickled to see such freshness towards understanding for the much greater purpose of moving forward, together to a place of higher quality.

How limited our world is by such ignorance, that America is evolving into an existence, more closely defined by our creator. Can you see it by just being able to make such a film? I don't know why I was so surprised that a sub-theme emerged, a need to overcome greed with a richer culture of quality rated the highest. As slow as it seems to each of us, we are becoming more familiar with our differences to the degree of life changing enjoyment.

This film is a perfect example of how positive growth takes place, one opportunity at a time. I pray that all generations old and new, every walk of life, will have goals that reach beyond our actual years of existence. No doubt, the fading of focus on race takes work of holding on to the essentials that can remove such limitations to this human race.

I wish I knew who said this, but thought I'd share anyway....What is better than leaving a legacy? Living that legacy~ The gift of life to us all is precious - and should be valued one moment at a time.

I'd like to see a series, starting with Part II, going in deeper and future episodes going beyond the effects of race differences in Hollywood, while also staying true to the process and this take of understanding to the degree of positive action.
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Americas Color Line
andrewsp881 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Beyond The Color Line

By: Andrew Paulcheck

The Documentary film beyond the color line was very well done. Henry Louis Gates Jr. did a fantastic job as a narrator. Henry is a professor at Harvard and teaches black history. Through interviews, the professor examines the past, present, and future of black/white race relations in the USA. Henry travels from The South to The North then to Hollywood California were he finds out how racist the movie industry is.

The Goal of this Documentary was to show how African Americans are treated in the United States. The Documentary took a look at what African Americans opinions were of their treatment in their community. The most successful aspect of this movie was the visit to Martin Luther King Jr.'s grave sight. The professor did a great job of showing the significance of Martin Luther King's remonstrations. The most effective interview in the movie was Colin Powel. He is the most powerful African American in the world. Colin Powel said that hard working people can accomplish anything no matter the color of their skin. The least effective interview was Russell Simons. I think Russell was disrespectful to Henry because he was constantly on his sidekick and taking phone calls during the interview. Russell Simon's record label, Def Jam Records, produces rap artist that are glamorized by how many times they have been to jail or how little of an education they received.

There are many things that influence my reaction to this film. The most obvious is my parent's opinion. They raised me not to judge people based on the color of their skin. My family is white middle class and has no problems financially and no need to blame our economic problems on individuals, some thing hate groups tends to do.

Some things that would have made this movie more effective would be to show the opinion of the other side of the debate, a leader of a hate group or the racist politician, Duke.

This was a well filmed documentary that showed how the racism in America is still present but improving.
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The Cycle of Love, Poverty, and New Life
vhforqb9 October 2011
I always view documentaries in a role of participant. This one, with the eyes of a child, woman of color, friend and lover. I think we can all see the cycle of love or need for love can also take us down a path which leads to poverty and desperation. If it can lead to poverty, an ill-pursuit of money and drugs, incarceration or worse, it is my personal experience to see that it also leads to new life in one form or another. There are so many major consequences to falling in love which can stand some attention, or at least as much attention as race, public housing, social welfare, education and politics. The birth of a child is the beginning, and sustaining that life is real responsibility.
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