Documentary: American Promise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess when the Brewsters started this project, they never thought this was going to be about their two subjects having learning disabilities rather than that AA boys are treated in a way that makes achievement at a white prep school difficult. So they released their documentary anyway because those 13 years of investment and filming would have gone to waste. What they believe may be true in some environments but I think they need to acknowledge successful AA boys who go onto do well at college and in their professional careers.

They set it up, so you have to wonder if they specifically sent their child there knowing it would be a struggle to make a movie and get attention and money from the film. It may have been a situation where no matter what the school did, the parents had that viewpoint and nothing the school did would be good enough. They knew sending their child, that their child would be a minority and what comes with it. Personally, I'd never send my child into a situation like that as it to me is setting them up for failure.

[Anonymous]

I'm an AA parent. What really sucks is that the issue that they were trying to address may not get an open airing. I read the review posted upthread and had the same reaction after seeing the film. Especially the part about them being boomers - just send your kids to the right school and the school will take care of everything.

Also I didn't realize, until after reading the review that the Brewsters lived in Brooklyn too. Just weird that they wouldn't find a closer option.

[Anonymous]

There's no Dalton in Brooklyn. There's St. Ann's and the Friends School. Not sure what else.

They left out the college counselor, who plays a huge role at such schools. I bet they didn't listen to the counselor. Too man crazy reaches on the list.

I found the parents treatment of Idris exceedingly painful to watch. The father's response to his son's acceptances was insensitive to the point of abusive. I wanted to hug him and say GREAT. Occidental is a great match for you!

[Anonymous]

I think they began filming 13 years ago fully expecting that "Dalton will open doors for Idris for many years to come" and that they were documenting his journey from obscurity to fame.

But they soon discovered like everyone else that LIFE is what happens when you're busy making other plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's no Dalton in Brooklyn. There's St. Ann's and the Friends School. Not sure what else.

They left out the college counselor, who plays a huge role at such schools. I bet they didn't listen to the counselor. Too man crazy reaches on the list.

I found the parents treatment of Idris exceedingly painful to watch. The father's response to his son's acceptances was insensitive to the point of abusive. I wanted to hug him and say GREAT. Occidental is a great match for you!

I agree the father's reaction was one of the most stunning parts of the film. He'd watched his child struggle all those years. Why couldn't they have been happy with the acceptances he received? AND with the knowledge that they'd raised a wonderful, intelligent articulate son.

I'm willing to be 10 bucks they advised Idris that Obama started at Occidental and transferred after a year--and that if he made the grades freshman year he could do the same.

And yeah too many crazy reaches. Thank goodness they also put the others on the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's no Dalton in Brooklyn. There's St. Ann's and the Friends School. Not sure what else.

They left out the college counselor, who plays a huge role at such schools. I bet they didn't listen to the counselor. Too man crazy reaches on the list.

I found the parents treatment of Idris exceedingly painful to watch. The father's response to his son's acceptances was insensitive to the point of abusive. I wanted to hug him and say GREAT. Occidental is a great match for you!

And Dalton's approx. an hour away from where they lived in Brooklyn--one way. So I'm certain they could've found other very reasonable fits for Idris within a 60 mile radius.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no Dalton in Brooklyn. There's St. Ann's and the Friends School. Not sure what else.

They left out the college counselor, who plays a huge role at such schools. I bet they didn't listen to the counselor. Too man crazy reaches on the list.

I found the parents treatment of Idris exceedingly painful to watch. The father's response to his son's acceptances was insensitive to the point of abusive. I wanted to hug him and say GREAT. Occidental is a great match for you!

I agree the father's reaction was one of the most stunning parts of the film. He'd watched his child struggle all those years. Why couldn't they have been happy with the acceptances he received? AND with the knowledge that they'd raised a wonderful, intelligent articulate son.

I'm willing to be 10 bucks they advised Idris that Obama started at Occidental and transferred after a year--and that if he made the grades freshman year he could do the same.

And yeah too many crazy reaches. Thank goodness they also put the others on the list.

I'm thinking the transfer secret is well known because of Obama. So that route could be competitive as well.

[Anonymous]

What transfer secret?

[Anonymous]

From Occi to Columbia and maybe other elite schools.

[Anonymous]

Uh, why not? People have been transferring up after freshman year for ages. No secret.

[Anonymous]

Or even sophomore year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The Brewsters truly believe this is a story about private, elite, predominately white schools failing to educate black boys.

I can't help but wonder if they showed the nagging scenes to prove that they were doing all they could at home--but still the school failed these black boys. OR, perhaps they were showing how difficult it is for parents at home when the school is failing the child. The fact that they still don't get it in hindsight is staggering.

They actually had petitions at the speaking engagment, asking others to join them in the fight to ensure black boys receive proper education and nurturing at those predominately white schools. Bless their hearts.

My son is white, and has ADHD/Executive Function Disorder. It IS really difficult at home, getting homework done, staying on top of HIM staying on top of his long term projects. He isn't really receiving a lot of nurturing at school. The school isn't set up to meet the needs of kids with Executive Function Issues. He DOES lack drive (for school work) and is constantly "Late, Lost, and Unprepared".

I don't dispute that the Dalton School similarly may have had difficulties educating a child with ADHD/Executive Function Disorder. But that is a separate issue from having difficulties educating African American boys.

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if the Brewsters didn't find what they thought they would because times are changing. Maybe a decade ago when they started filming, things were more like what they thought. But as time went on, and having black boys in the classroom from the time they are little and being part of the school community from the beginning, things had changed and it was more inclusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The Brewsters truly believe this is a story about private, elite, predominately white schools failing to educate black boys.

I can't help but wonder if they showed the nagging scenes to prove that they were doing all they could at home--but still the school failed these black boys. OR, perhaps they were showing how difficult it is for parents at home when the school is failing the child. The fact that they still don't get it in hindsight is staggering.

They actually had petitions at the speaking engagment, asking others to join them in the fight to ensure black boys receive proper education and nurturing at those predominately white schools. Bless their hearts.

My son is white, and has ADHD/Executive Function Disorder. It IS really difficult at home, getting homework done, staying on top of HIM staying on top of his long term projects. He isn't really receiving a lot of nurturing at school. The school isn't set up to meet the needs of kids with Executive Function Issues. He DOES lack drive (for school work) and is constantly "Late, Lost, and Unprepared".

I don't dispute that the Dalton School similarly may have had difficulties educating a child with ADHD/Executive Function Disorder. But that is a separate issue from having difficulties educating African American boys.

Agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The Brewsters truly believe this is a story about private, elite, predominately white schools failing to educate black boys.

I can't help but wonder if they showed the nagging scenes to prove that they were doing all they could at home--but still the school failed these black boys. OR, perhaps they were showing how difficult it is for parents at home when the school is failing the child. The fact that they still don't get it in hindsight is staggering.

They actually had petitions at the speaking engagment, asking others to join them in the fight to ensure black boys receive proper education and nurturing at those predominately white schools. Bless their hearts.

My son is white, and has ADHD/Executive Function Disorder. It IS really difficult at home, getting homework done, staying on top of HIM staying on top of his long term projects. He isn't really receiving a lot of nurturing at school. The school isn't set up to meet the needs of kids with Executive Function Issues. He DOES lack drive (for school work) and is constantly "Late, Lost, and Unprepared".

I don't dispute that the Dalton School similarly may have had difficulties educating a child with ADHD/Executive Function Disorder. But that is a separate issue from having difficulties educating African American boys.

Agreed. My AA son has the same issues. He is very bright with a high IQ but I would not even consider a competitive school without the specialized resources to support him. It would be setting him up for failure. Nor would I push him to go to an Ivy even though I did. I could certainly have a spirited discussions about the education of black boys, but this is more about learning disabilities than anything else. And parents denial.