Teach Us All

Teach Us All is a gripping documentary film released in 2017, directed and written by Sonia Lowman. The film is a social justice documentary that delineates the contemporary state of U.S education from the historical lens of the Little Rock Nine story in 1957. This will provide a clear understanding of the chronic racial and socioeconomic disparity in the education system, which has implications for the future of America.

The documentary uses the 60th anniversary of the Little Rock Central High School Crisis in Little Rock, Arkansas to reemphasize the importance of quality education. In 1957, nine African American students courageously ventured into Central High School, predominantly attended by white students, to break down the divisive walls of segregation. This strategic move sparked a major shift in the educational sphere, challenging inequality and igniting significant actions towards desegregation. Yet, six decades later, the documentary makes a powerful claim that America's schools are still grappling with segregation.

The film subtly points towards the unpleasant reality - the lack of adequate progress in educational equality and the prevailing correlation between race, zip code, and quality of education. Lowman effectively presents the landscape of persistent educational inequity, leading us to question the concept of democracy in the context of the education system.

Teach Us All doesn't simply elaborate on the problem, it also celebrates the inspiring endeavors of students, educators, parents, and activists across the country. Using poignant interviews and personal narratives, the film presents the concerted efforts of these individuals to address the complex issues in the education system. It honors the unflappable spirit of those battling against a system that has failed many and who are advocating for substantial changes that could redirect the course of the U.S. education system.

One standout element of the documentary is its convergence on the students of today. It honours the contemporary "Little Rock Nine," a diverse group of students from three different schools, located in Little Rock, New York City, and Los Angeles. These students share their intimate stories, providing viewers a firsthand glimpse into the actual problems they face, which go beyond theory and statistics. Through defining their challenges, these students highlight the urgency to reform the current educational policies that emphasize disparity rather than foster inclusivity and equity.

The film offers the platform for these students to shine a light on the archaic and discriminatory practices. Their stories underscore a pressing need to reform policymaking, especially when it comes to allocation of resources and restructuring of schools that often create and reinforce systemic educational inequality. It encourages us to question why educational parity appears to be an unreachable goal and how we can take significant strides toward achieving it.

In essence, Teach Us All serves as an eye-opening account that reframes the narrative of educational disparity by stimulating an impactful dialogue about this societal issue. The film underscores the importance of education as a basic human right and pushes for innovative solutions that can potentially dismantle the haunting shadow of segregation that still looms over the American education system today.

Teach US All intentionally stimulates the rhetoric questioning the values that America holds dearly, as it shed light on the systemic racial and socioeconomic gaps that seem to negate the core democratic principle of equal opportunity for all. Importantly, it does this while empowering the youth to use their voices to call for change and to underline the potential they hold as the nation's future leaders.

While "Teach Us All" is a trenchant commentary on the state of the U.S. education system, it also serves as a powerful call to action. It invites parents, educators, policymakers, and the larger community to reflect on their roles in mitigating educational disparities and implementing sustainable, progressive changes. The film encourages the advent of a nationwide dialogue for educational reform, where every child, regardless of their background, is given fair, equal, and quality education opportunities. It underscores America's obligation to fulfill the unmet legacy of Brown vs. Board of Education, thereby promoting an environment where progression, equality, and inclusivity are the norm rather than the exception.