Rosemary Stark, Faith Connection, New Bern, North Carolina  – “Racial Taboo™ carefully balances points of view from black and white people in a way that is both funny and challenging . It reviews the Black experience in America with sensitivity. It was shown as part of a community initiative to bring black and white people together to work on challenges facing the New Bern, North Carolina community. We found it to be an excellent springboard for discussion. Faith Connection, an interfaith organization made up of 21 area congregations, sponsored the event for 140 people. Seventy event evaluations were received with 97.5 % being overwhelmingly positive and 90% of the people who responded expressed interest in continuing the conversation.”

Tracy Parsons, Champaign Community Coalition, Champaign, Illinois  – “Wow, what a great community response we are getting in Champaign County, Illinois. Racial Taboo™ is having a tremendous impact on leading the difficult conversations on race. We have had over 300 citizens from every part of our community engage in this process. Big Shout Out to the Racial Taboo franchise. You are making a difference across the nation. Imagine what our communities can be when we honestly take on America’s unresolved issue of Race Relations.”

Delores Martin, and Mike Lang, Springfield Illinois Race Unity Committee – “Racial Taboo™ provided a much-appreciated shot of adrenaline to the decades-long efforts of the Springfield (Illinois) Race Unity Committee to bring people of diverse backgrounds together for constructive/healing conversations on race. Hundreds of opinion leaders and regular citizens viewed recent Racial Taboo screenings in Springfield, home to both Abraham Lincoln and the 1908 Race Riots that led to the formation of the NAACP.

The Racial Taboo screenings here resulted in Springfield’s Mayor declaring his desire that the entire city workforce view the documentary. Moreover, multiple additional discussion groups were formed, as a direct result of the screenings. These discussions, in turn, are leading to unlikely friendships that are blossoming across racial and religious lines throughout Springfield. In short, Racial Taboo is a powerful catalyst for positive change.”

Betty Jo Pickett Sanders, New Bern, North Carolina – “I was privileged to be at the Racial Taboo™ Event at Broad Street Christian Church in New Bern, NC last night. I must say this film is the most accurate depiction of racism in America I have ever witnessed and is an invaluable tool in the quest for understanding of and solutions to the “Great Divide” in America. Hats off to The Racial Taboo Initiative for making this film! Thank you for the countless hours and effort you put into it! It is my wish that ALL Americans could see this film.”

Dr. Belinda A. Dalton-Russell, Vice President Student Development West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Paducah, KY – “Racial Taboo educates viewers about historic and institutionalized racial issues. The film encourages a passionate, open discussion on today’s issues. It has sparked a local and national conversation about what is often viewed as the nation’s most critical crisis ” Race in America”. The film was well crafted and did a remarkable job illustrating the profound affect and persistent influence race has on life experiences, employment opportunities, economics, health, education, inequality and legal injustice in America. Although painful to watch it illustrates the significant and firmly embedded disparities between blacks and whites resulting from generations of deeply implanted prejudice and stereotypes based on skin color and ethnicity rather than ability. It is my hope that the information, observations and various perspectives shared by participants at Racial Taboo events will break down barriers to learning, increase understanding and expand personal development that will lead to authentic and long lasting interracial relationships. I applaud this work as it represents a more accurate account of the past events which have led to existing circumstances.”

J.W. Cleary, President of the Local Chapter of the NAACP of Paducah, Kentucky – “In working with the NAACP, race relations have been one of the most difficult problems we face. The film Racial Taboo™ which is shown only to integrated audiences has shed a true light on some of the struggles we have wrestled with, and the film helped people who did not previously understand the issues to come to a new appreciation of them. The conversation afterward is a critically important part of the experience because it allowed the expression of people’s true feelings to come out and to be heard. It helped us to realize that we all have more similarities than differences and that we really all want the same thing – a better understanding of each other. As a testament to the success of the “movie and a conversation” formula, it was my observation that participants wanted more time to continue their conversations and it left them feeling hungry for more. I want to recommend this film to other branches of the NAACP nationwide as a powerful tool for understanding so that communities may come together as one.”

Walter Jaros, MD, MPH, US citizen residing in Tasmania, Australia – “What a courageous, magnanimous and vitally important contribution to racial healing and social progress. This film reinforces the fact that friendship is one of the fundamental sources of compassionate understanding. Bravo for this highly useful film and for the structure of group dialogue that accompanies it. May it’s impact reach throughout America and beyond.”

Gary Gaulin, Associate Director For Sustainability, Clemson University – “Racial Taboo was viewed and discussed as a part of a five hour diversity and inclusion event sponsored by the university. It was very well received by our students, so we plan to show it again sometime soon. This film brings forth race relations issues with insight, using narrative that enlightens the viewers perspective.  The film was so impressive that I introduced it to leaders at my church. Now the church plans to show the film to the congregation, inviting members from other diverse Christian groups to join in and start a dialogue. I recommend Racial Taboo to any group who values the need for greater inter-cultural understanding and growth.”

Hope Group and the Community Relations Commission of Elizabeth City, North Carolina – “This was our second viewing of the film.  It continues acting as a  great catalyst in our community to bring a very diverse group of people together to talk about issues which are not easily approached openly.  The film made us realize how limited our history classes were in relating the truth about “Jim Crow”.  Seeing this film inspires us to have a more  honest conversation about race,  as the first step in working together on issues such as equity in economics, education, and justice.”

Lynn Newsom, Co-Director, Quaker House,  Fayetteville, North Carolina – “We viewed Racial Taboo and thought it was excellent. It brings feelings and thoughts about racial divides out in the open for honest dialogue. I wish everyone could see it. I feel it is a giant step toward better understanding and communication between races.”

Susan Fennell, Executive Director, YWCA Lower Cape Fear, Wilmington, North Carolina – “ This extraordinary film has a unique and unintimidating way of engaging the viewer in a necessary journey of  awareness and self-introspection.  It is incredibly well thought out and presented in such a way that every participant benefits in a positive way.”

Bertha Boykin Todd, Retired School Administrator, Community Strategist and Volunteer , Wilmington, North Carolina – “The film Racial Taboo is an excellent one to view in order to motivate groups to engage in candid discussions regarding ethnic groups. Since we all belong to the human race, I prefer to use the word “ethnic” when referring to race.

Every individual who professes to be without negative thoughts about “other” groups needs to view this special film.  Viewing Racial Taboo is a must for everyone.”

Benjamin R. David, District Attorney, 5th Prosecutorial District, New Hanover County & Pender County, North Carolina – “Speaking the truth is vital whether it is in the courtroom or out in the community. At the core of truth is trust and that can only be established through a dialogue where all voices can be heard. A discussion on race and justice should not merely be a political issue – it is a moral one. Racial Taboo is an effective way to start that discussion.”

Ernie Thompson, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, North Carolina – “I’m grateful for his film, Racial Taboo, and for the conversations it is creating in our community. The film helped me to see more clearly how words or images that might seem neutral or positive to me, often have a very different resonance and meaning for people with a different background and history. The film led to a thoughtful discussion in my small group – the kind of conversation that does not happen naturally or easily. I hope Racial Taboo will be widely viewed and discussed.”

Sterling B. Cheatham, City Manager, Wilmington, North Carolina – “…very well done, piercing and thought provoking…”

Eric Porterfield, Senior Pastor, Winter Park Baptist Church, Wilmington, North Carolina – “Racial Taboo wonderfully accomplishes what it sets out to do – it helps us talk about race. The description of the evils of slavery, segregation, and the continuing effects of systemic racism compellingly present the big picture. The testimonies from black people and white people struggling with how this history impacts their lives brings the subject home to a personal level. My prayer is that all who view the film will be inspired to break this “racial taboo” that keeps whites and blacks from talking with each other about race. Through the resulting conversations I believe we can come closer to living as “the beloved community” Dr. King dreamed we could be.”

Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr., Chief of Police, Elizabeth City, North Carolina – “After viewing the thought-provoking and cleverly executed film, Racial Taboo, my belief that a productive dialogue regarding racial issues in today’s society was strengthened. I believe this film, more than most, has the capability to touch the minds of viewers in such a way as to enhance communications and start building bridges that have existed for years. I firmly believe that we all have more in common than we do in our differences, and the more we know about one another the better we all can be.”

Angel Redmond, Outreach Coordinator, YWCA of Asheville – “This is by far, one of my favorite screenings pertaining to the discussion. It was easy to follow and paid due respect to the contributions of blacks in this country.”

Jo Baker – Marriage and Family Therapist, Edenton, North Carolina – “Viewing the film Racial Taboo: A Conversation About Race in a large mixed-race audience at Edenton United Methodist Church, opened my eyes and heart more than anything I’d previously seen or read. In the follow-up discussion, a spirit of good will lifted our honest sharing to a new plane of appreciation for each other’s lives. Maybe, as a white person, I can’t fully understand, but I can overcome my own prejudices and reach out in a sincere effort to make friends across racial and cultural lines.”

Terry M. Williams, Pastor Spring Hill United Methodist Church, Lillington, NC – “A tremendous, open dialogue after viewing the life-altering film, Racial Taboo. Highly recommend for audiences everywhere.”

June Hicks Highfill, Pastor, Pearsall Memorial Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, North Carolina – “Racial Taboo is an excellent reminder of the necessity of intentionally reaching across social boundaries that stand between us and our fellow human beings. It is a valuable tool to help individuals and organizations do that.”

Hezekiah Brown, Chairman, Elizabeth City’s Championing Diversity Action Team, Elizabeth City, North Carolina – “… the group viewed an extraordinary film, Racial Taboo which documents a conversation about race, placing the emphasis on how to start the conversation.”

Kathryn Liss, Independent Alternative Dispute Resolution Professional and Member, Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council, Asheville, North Carolina – “I think it is very interesting as a conversation starter.”

Bamidele Demerson, Executive Director, International Civil Rights Center and Museum, Greensboro, North Carolina – “A society with a racial caste system—replete with stratified and stereotyped groups—is incompatible with the ideals of a freedom loving democracy. Racial Taboo can serve as a point of departure for dialogues on the direction our country must move.”

If you have attended a Racial Taboo event and would like to include your review, please send it to us via the Contact Page. Make sure that you include your brief review, name, title and organizational affiliation and date/location of your showing.