I had the opportunity to watch this emotional documentary on education this past Thursday. I remember as the lights went on after the showing and seeing people in the audience crying as well as becoming emotional toward one of the producers that was in attendance.  The rare opportunity of being able to hear from  a person working on the film and having an open discussion with teachers in the audience makes for powerful conversation. The biggest obstacle I see for this film is getting non educators vested in the film. They after all are not just creating a movie they are creating a movement. They focus much of the film on the teachers union and their stranglehold on allowing students to be the main focus in the classroom. Can the film piss parents off enough to be more active in legislation?

My prediction:

This film will help bring more attention to the current failure in the educational system. However the pessimist in me sees that there will be no nationwide sweep in education reform and teachers unions. I believe that you see schools such as charter schools and Harlem school zones developing across the country. Gradual change, gradual but nothing sweeping and to be honest that is exactly how I would prefer it.

People have flocked to the melting pot we now know as America for the last 13,000 years. Since 2000, the U.S. has welcomed more than 10 million immigrants, who leave behind places like the Philippines, India, China, and Mexico. Our latest video, “Coming to America,” explores the history, politics, and challenges of taking in the world’s “huddled masses.”