| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Al Freeman Jr. | ... |
Poppa
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| Phylicia Rashad | ... |
Ma Ponk
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| Leon | ... |
Uncle Melvin
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| Paula Kelly | ... |
Ma Pearl
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| Salli Richardson-Whitfield | ... |
Miss Alice
(as Salli Richardson)
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| Anna Maria Horsford | ... |
Miss Annie
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| Bernie Casey | ... |
Mr. Walter
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| Isaac Hayes | ... |
Preacher Hurn
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| Ray J | ... |
Cliff (12 Yrs.)
(as Willis Norwood Jr.)
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| Karen Malina White | ... |
Mary
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| Damon Hines | ... |
Cliff at 16
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Iona Morris | ... |
Nila Fontaine
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| Phill Lewis | ... |
Sammy (19 Yrs.) /
Narrator
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Taj Mahal | ... |
Mr. Will
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| Polly Bergen | ... |
Miss Maybry
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This film relates the story of a tightly connected Afro-American community informally called Colored Town where the inhabitants live and depend on each other in a world where racist oppression is everywhere, as told by a boy called Cliff who spent his childhood there. Despite this, we see the life of the community in all its joys and sorrows, of those that live there while others decide to leave for a better life north. For those remaining, things come to a serious situation when one prominent businessman is being muscled out by a white competitor using racist intimidation. In response, the community must make the decision of whether to submit meekly like they always have, or finally fight for their rights. Written by Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>
I am very fond of this film, and I have had the opportunity to hear Clifton Taulbert speak in person. I think the point of the film is that while black people who had to endure much during the 100 years that followed the civil war they still managed to create many supportive communities. In addition there were good role models for young people like Clifton Taulbert. As a response to the undeniable oppression, the black community of Glen Allen, Mississippi, bonded and supported one another. It did, in fact, mean that their lives were made less miserable. They experienced joy and fellowship as well as oppression. They refused to take on victim-hood as an identity. At the same time, there was a vigorous challenge to the status quo. I don't think the movie is too sentimental, or inaccurate.
I have shown this movie to students many times and it has never failed to move them to a real concern for the condition of minorities. It reaches these students on an emotional level, and it gets them interested in learning more about the issue of human rights. That is no small feat.