Comments

1. Tariq Nelson wrote:

   This was hilarious!

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 9:09 am ¶

2. Ariah Fine wrote:

   I agree this is a great video. The parody playfully address the problem with all of these ‘inner-city school’ type movies.
   I still enjoy hearing about the true stories they are based off, but it’s sad Hollywood seems so much more likely to tell the ‘white savior’ stories then any other teacher-student inspirational stories.

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 9:20 am ¶

3. Jose wrote:

   As a math teacher, I have to say this was great. Unfortunately, that’s been the problem with these movies: we don’t see enough of the Jamie Escalante movies where the teacher who actually has the same background as the kids is going back to help the kids out. It’s always the “white lady.” And it’s true that they are prevalent in the school systems, but are they the only success story? That’s a negative …

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 10:23 am ¶

4. TROUBLMan wrote:

   Comedy is one of the tools that makes the conversation about race acceptable for everyone. It shouldn’t be like this, but it is. We need to continue to harness comedy to attract people to the discussion. We also need to make sure they kow that the comedy is based on real life issues. Love the post.

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 12:05 pm ¶

5. Latoya Peterson wrote:

   Fabulous!

   But…I must admit, reading Jen’s blog entries on Anti-Racist Parent, the other white guy’s speech was a little too close to home there…

   Then again, I guess that is the marker of a good parody.

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 2:16 pm ¶

6. byrdparker wrote:

   They make these movies for every generation , every actor or actress that is coming up , must make one . Are these actors and actresses that out of touch , I mean they do read the script b/4 signing on the project/

   In most schools attended by minorities , the school system in regards to learning is very relaxed , if you happen to get a good teacher then great .

   Personally the movie Half Nelson blew me away .. Something fresh , different perspective , dealing with issues that are happening now .

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 3:45 pm ¶

7. merq wrote:

   White Savior, baby!

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 6:09 pm ¶

8. Anu wrote:

   haha this is sooooooo funny and dead on. I love the part where the kid looks at the gun and the pencil and puts the gun down. The pen is mightier than the .45…

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 9:43 pm ¶

9. Orville wrote:

   Mad TV has always been more cutting edge and more entertaining then SNL. SNL has gotten really lame lately and doesn’t discuss race with such good comedy as MAD TV does. I think MAD TV has the edge.

   Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 11:00 pm ¶

10. Canadian Girl wrote:

    I roll my eyes everytime a new one of these types of white saviour movies comes out, and I’m white! Although the ones based off of true stories should be made and learned from, the fact that there aren’t many same-race teacher/student movies makes me feel…not embarrassed but sort of, for my own race. When movies like that are made, if there are too many of them, we are making ourselves look bad by trying to look too good! I’m not saying that I am not proud of those that have succeeded. I am just saying that others should prevail as well.

    Posted 29 Aug 2007 at 10:25 am ¶

11. majong wrote:

    Very very funny. It is sad that Hollywood chooses not to celebrate inspirational people of color. But I guess that’s not entertaining? This is the same industry that turned Asian actors into martial arts movie stars when they aren’t even martial artists. So narrow-minded.

    Posted 30 Aug 2007 at 10:36 am ¶