LC Dignity - Working on the film "Race"

The students worked on the film "Race" (“La couleur de la Victoire" in French) by Stephen Hopkins. Race is a 2016 biographical sports drama film about African-American athlete Jesse Owens, who won a record-breaking four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. It looks back at the story of the black athlete who single-handedly thwarted Adolf Hitler's racial rhetoric and prevented the glorification of the Third Reich at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. It is a film about courage, determination, and friendship and an inspiring drama.

The students first observed and analysed the different posters (French, Canadian, English) of the film. The history teacher gave some explanations of the historical context of the film and showed a short documentary about the opening ceremony of the 1936 Olympic Games in Munich. They were also shown a short video of Jesse Owens performing at the Olympics.

After that preparatory phase, the students watched the film in the classroom.  The movie was transmitted to us by Generation 2024, whose aim is to promote the values of sport and use sport as a driving force for commitment and citizenship.

The students expressed orally their points of view and understanding at different times of the film and the emotions they felt. They took notes as the film was being played and the teacher asked them questions to draw their attentions on certain points.

Then they created an imaginary interview with Jesse Owens, about his feelings, his experiences, the way he faced racist remarks and attitudes, his doubts and joys before, during and after the 1936 Olympics.

Finally, the questions and answers were recorded to be broadcast on the school web radio.

This story was an ideal opportunity to get the younger generation thinking about racism, tolerance and respect. To carry out the interview, the students exchanged their points of view, developed critical thinking and empathy.