The Little Black School House
The Little Black School House
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59m
Directed by Sylvia Hamilton ∙ 2007 ∙ Canada ∙ 60'
Shot on location in villages and cities in Ontario and Nova Scotia, THE LITTLE BLACK SCHOOL HOUSE unearths the untold story of the children, women, men who were students and teachers in Canada’s racially segregated schools.
Sylvia Hamilton's documentary is a poignant and unfailingly honest illustration of how many of these former students look back on the experience with conflicting feelings: fondness for the dedication of their Black teachers, and outrage at being denied a right, fundamental to democracy in Canada: equal access to quality education.
With a vibrant musical score composed by jazz legend Joe Sealy, THE LITTLE BLACK SCHOOL HOUSE interweaves extraordinary archival film footage, rare photographs, and touching first hand accounts from past students, teachers, historians and community leaders in this unflinching look at the heart of racial inequality in Canada.