America to Me

America to Me is a 10-part docuseries presented by Starz! that premiered in August of 2018. Conceived and directed by filmmaker Steve James, who gained critical acclaim for his works such as ‘Hoop Dreams’ and ‘Life Itself,’ this unique series provides a deep and disarming exploration of racial, economic, and class issues experienced in contemporary American education.

Set within the challenging socio-political landscape of a diverse suburban Chicago high school named Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF), the series aims to uncover critical issues that impact not only the students here but also resonate on a national level. The choice of OPRF as a location becomes key to understanding the dynamics of the show. With Oak Park’s historic commitment to equity and diversity, the selection is a thought-provoking juxtaposition of this progressive reputation against the evident inequities in the school.

Typically viewed as a racially progressive enclave within the broader Chicago landscape, Oak Park is a town known for its efforts to consciously address racial inequality. OPRF mirrors much of this diversity in its student body. However, despite its progressive façade, it is clear that racial disparities still dictate the schooling experience, with stark gaps in achievement and sense of belonging among black students compared to their white counterparts.

Through a careful curation of narratives from its student leads, the series exposes the discrepancies that exist within the education system, raising uncomfortable and profound questions about race and class that mainstream America often tries to avoid. James resists the temptation to settle for easy answers, instead pushing his audience to confront the hard truth about the deep-seated biases in our society.

The series gives voice to twelve diverse students as they navigate the complexities of high school life, compounded by the pressures of their socio-economic backgrounds, racial identities, and their hopes for the future. Their stories are overlooked or ignored by teachers and administrators trying to maintain the status quo, often exacerbating the problem rather than solving it.

In one year of this journey, we meet teachers who are the bright spots in a flawed system, parents who are grappling with the hard truths their children face, and a school wrestling with its reputation and reality. Equal parts poignant, unsettling, and inspirational, America to Me questions the very concepts of success, merit, and opportunity that American education holds dear.

James' docuseries is not a mere indictment of the system, but demands meaningful dialogues on change. His effective use of cinema verité technique allows him to present the incidents as they are. This raw and unfiltered portrayal of life in high school steers clear from beautification, instead opting to bring the stark realities to the forefront.

America to Me serves to highlight the disconnection between academic ambition and the black American educational experience. Depicting that being a student-athlete, academic underperformer, theatre kid, or band geek does not immune one from the impacts of racial and social inequality.

It’s a profound reflection on the stark racial disparities and the wealth gap manifesting in public education and the society at large. Through the lives of these teens rapidly evolving against the backdrop of the American Dream, it underscores the need for us to listen to our marginalized youth and bring about a change in the systemic biases that continue to govern our classrooms.

An evocative, heartrending, and often revelatory journey, America To Me navigates the fault lines of race and class in America's educational system, offering an intimate and immersive portrayal of these courageous scholars trying to find their space in this complex and indefinable landscape of American youth.

Rooted in candor and empathy, America to Me is an important contribution to discourses on race and equity, providing an eye-opening reality check to the myth of post-racial America. It demands that we question the schools we build, the society we nourish, and most importantly, the narratives we tell ourselves about America today. Engaging and insightful, the series makes a compelling case for us to heed the warning signs, to engage in the difficult conversations, and to work towards a more equitable and integrated future.