EOTO 4 Reax

     The 4th, and final, EOTO presentations were a success. Overall I think we all did a great job, and a lot was learned through these presentations. 

    What was by far my favorite topic to receive, the Civil Rights Era was a great presentation. I very much enjoyed my specific topic (The assassination of Malcolm X), but I also liked alot of my peers topics. MLKs assassination is personally one of my favorites. 

    Something I learned from this presentation is the Fair Housing act. I never knew that there was a line drawn that was specifically placed there to not allow Black people to buy houses. I also found it very interesting that the Fair Housing act was then passed. This was mainly put to work after the MLK assassination. 

    Another monumental moment was Thurgood Marshall becoming the first African American member of the supreme court. This was just another step in the long fight for equal rights, but it definitely did its justice. 

    In addition to this, The Boston Bus riots have their own significance on the whole civil rights movement. The Supreme Court created the desegregation of schools and more importantly, school transportation. On that first day of school, police were in combat gear to prepare for the bottles and glass thrown at the buses. Most African Americans felt unsafe and did not return to school after the first day. 

    RFKs assasination was another event that I was relatively unfamiliar with. RFK was assassinated shortly before his chance at being president. This was mainly because of his outward display of empathy and love for the civil rights movement. This angered many people who were not in favor of the civil rights movement.

"To Sir, With Love"

    "To Sir, with Love" is a film  directed by James Clavell that was released in 1967. It is based on the book written by E.R. Braithwaite. The plot begins with Mark Thackeray who is a determined teacher who gets a job at a tough London school. The movie continues around Thackeray's efforts to connect with a group of diverse students and teach them discipline, respect, and self-worth. As the close bond of teacher to student continues the dynamic evolves.  

    What I like bout this film is its exploration of issues of race, class, and societal expectations. I think that like many other movies do, this tackles a big aspect of society over the last few decades. Movies like this always have a spot on my heart. I enjoy watching movies that break the social norms and give you that feeling of wholesomeness. The exploration of prejudice, social inequality, and the power of education from a teacher that looks to seek change, are all things that make this movie lovable. It sends a powerful message about the impact that a dedicated teacher can have on students. 

    To relate this to a certain professor I know… Professor Dean Smith. I am a huge fan of a teacher that has the perfect balance of taking their job seriously, but also understanding where there is fun and enjoyment to be had. Without this, many learning environments are often boring and rather ineffective. My favorite example is the candy bucket, a light hearted way to make kids excited to come to class and take a bit of the stress that college may have.

    The character development in the film is well-executed. I am a nerd for character development and it is especially well done in the evolution of the students as they come to respect and appreciate Thackeray. The relationships formed in the classroom contribute to the emotion of the movie.

    "To Sir, with Love" remains relevant in these times due to its exploration of the issues presented in the film that continue to resonate, making it a classic that transcends its initial release era. It is rare that a movie that is this old can continue to have a deep meaning and a true impact, especially with a bunch of college students. 

    
In conclusion, "To Sir, with Love" is a powerful and uplifting film that continues to be meaningful even to this day. As a movie lover, this one is definitely a must watch.