Gather as if at Grand Virtual Film Discussion: Something the Lord Made
Join us for the fourth in our Film Discussion Series as we explore Something the Lord Made.
Films within the Gather as if @ Grand program, Racism: Roots, Resolves, and Results, have been curated by Ms. Linda Carter Pete, who provides a study guide to all registrants in order to facilitate study, reflection, and conversation.
MOVIE #4: Something the Lord Made
ABOUT:
Something the Lord Made is a 2004 American made-for-television biographical drama film about the black cardiac pioneer Vivien Thomas (1910–1985) and his complex and volatile partnership with white surgeon Alfred Blalock (1899–1964), the “Blue Baby doctor” who pioneered modern heart surgery. Although Vivien Thomas (Mos Def), a black man in the 1930s, is originally hired as a janitor, he proves himself adept at assisting the “Blue Baby doctor,” Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman), with his medical research. When Blalock insists that Thomas follow him to Johns Hopkins University, they must find a way to skirt a racist system to continue their study of infant heart disease. Thomas is indispensable to Blalock’s progress, but Blalock is the only one who is allowed to receive acclaim.
The movie can be viewed on YouTube (1:51:49)
WHEN: February 25, 2021; 7–8:15 pm
WHERE: Virtual Film Discussion on Zoom (details will be sent to all registrants).
HOW: Ahead of the February 25 discussion event, plan on viewing the movie through your streaming service. The film is available on YouTube. All registrants will be sent a study guide to facilitate their own reflection on the film and spark discussion.
REGISTER: On Eventbrite
DOWNLOAD: Film Study Guide—Something-study guide
ABOUT THE STUDY GUIDE CREATOR: Born in Georgia and currently residing in the East Bay, Linda Carter Pete’s formative years had her residing in Thailand, Iran, Okinawa, Belgium, and Germany as a military dependent for sixteen years before returning to Alexandria, Virginia to finish high school. Linda went on to attend Dominican College of San Rafael where she earned her BA in History, a single subject Teaching Credential, and an MS in Education: Curriculum & Instruction. Linda continued her graduate education at Stanford University where she earned her MA in Education: Administration and Policy Analysis as well as her Administrative Credential.
Linda began her teaching career as a substitute in the Oakland Unified School District and then worked in the San Francisco Unified School District. She taught in middle and high schools for seven years before becoming an administrator. She has spent the last twenty-one years supporting school communities in San Francisco and now works with Mt. Diablo Unified School District in Concord, California. Linda has also taught “Voice, Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice” in the Teaching Credential Program at Chapman University at their Concord and Fairfield campuses, and Children’s Church for children (ages 5-11).
More about Gather as if @ Grand—Racism: Roots, Resolves, and Results here.