Bonus scenes (40 min.): NTA students invite Rosie Simpson to their school -- Rosie Simpson at Lenart Regional Gifted Center -- '63 boycott premier at Rainbow/Push -- Film's subjects review the fine cut -- A rehersal for "Shades of Mississippi" -- Closed for good - a short film by Rachel Dickson.
Summary:
On October 22nd, 1963, 250,000 students boycotted the Chicago Public Schools to protest racial segregation. Many marched through the city calling for the resignation of School Superintendent Benjamin Willis, who placed trailers, dubbed 'Willis Wagons,' on playgrounds of overcrowded schools rather than let them enroll in nearby underutilized white schools. Unseen 16mm footage of this historic event, filmed by Kartemquin's founders, and the memories of the participants connect the dramatic story of one of the largest Northern civil rights demonstrations to contemporary issues of race, education, school closings, and youth activism.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.