There are so many considerations when we are determining what is best for our children. As parents, what we think about the most is how to educate our little ones. Should they go to public school? Private school? Should they be home schooled? The questions are plentiful and the answers certainly do not come easy.
American Promise, a documentary that has been 13 years in the making, looks at the struggles and triumphs that two middle-class African American families face as they navigate the complexities of our educational system on their quest to provide their sons with the education they deserve.
Husband and wife duo, Joe Brewster and Michele Stephenson, set out to make this film in an effort to empower parents and address an educational achievement gap that significantly affects young Black boys. By following their own son, Idris, and his friend, Seun, the filmmakers let us step into their personal lives to take an intimate look at the struggles they faced as parents, and the struggles these young boys faced as students.
After seeing a 30-minute portion of this film, I walked away feeling angry, concerned, and saddened. But, most importantly, I walked away feeling empowered about my ability to make the best decisions when it comes to my son’s education. There were moments where the boys openly shared their innermost thoughts on camera, and those moments were so raw, I cried.
Although I did not see the film in its entirety, viewing the whole film will give you a chance to be part of a journey that starts on their first day in kindergarten – at a private school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan called the Dalton School – and ends when they graduate from high school.
We all want what’s best for our children. That’s a given. The challenge arises when we are faced with the unexpected, and we must decide what’s best, with no guarantee that our decision truly is best. That, for all of us, is the struggle that often comes with educating our children.
Sparking meaningful conversations, while empowering parents and children alike, I think American Promise is a must-see film.
American Promise will air on PBS this fall, and you can also request a screening in your area. To learn more, click here.
BMWK Family, do you plan to watch American Promise?