A City Decides facts for kids

A City Decides is a short documentary film from 1956. It was directed by Charles Guggenheim. The film is about how schools in St. Louis, Missouri, started to allow students of all races to learn together. This process is called racial integration. The film was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short.

What Was 'A City Decides'?

A City Decides is a film that shows a real-life event. It tells the story of how the public schools in St. Louis changed. Before this time, schools were often separated by race. This film shows the important steps St. Louis took to end that separation.

What Was Segregation?

For a long time in the United States, many public places, including schools, were segregated. This meant that Black people and white people were kept apart. They had separate schools, separate restrooms, and separate sections on buses. This was unfair and unequal.

In 1954, a big decision was made by the highest court in the U.S. It was called Brown v. Board of Education. This decision said that separating students by race in public schools was against the law. It said that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." This meant schools had to start integrating.

St. Louis Schools Change

After the Brown v. Board of Education decision, cities across the U.S. had to figure out how to integrate their schools. St. Louis was one of the first big cities to make this change. The film A City Decides shows how St. Louis worked through this challenge.

It highlights the efforts of school leaders, teachers, parents, and students. They all played a part in making the schools open to everyone. The film shows the discussions, the planning, and the first steps of integration. It was a big moment for the city and its students.

Who Made the Film?

The film was directed by Charles Guggenheim. He was a well-known filmmaker who made many documentaries. His films often focused on important social and political issues. He wanted to show real events and help people understand them better.

Guggenheim made A City Decides to document the changes happening in St. Louis. He wanted to show how a city could successfully integrate its schools. The film was made for the Fund for the Republic, an organization that supported projects about civil rights and freedom.

Why Was This Film Important?

A City Decides was important for several reasons.

• It showed a positive example of school integration during a difficult time.
• It helped other cities see how they might approach similar changes.
• It brought attention to the civil rights movement and the fight for equality.

The film's nomination for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short showed its quality and impact. Even today, it helps us understand a key part of American history. It reminds us of the journey towards fairness and equal opportunities for all students.