This poignant drama follows the lives of four gifted teenagers Samantha Brooke, James Farmer Jr., Henry Lowe and Hamilton Burgess (played by Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, Nate Parker and Jermaine Williams). Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington portrays a pragmatic educator named Melvin B. Tolson who teaches these four students at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. Tolson appoints these fervent teens to become members of the school’s debate team. They are taught to overcome racist marginalization through intellectual discourse, exemplifying that intelligence is not a white thing or a black thing. Based on a true story, this DVD highlights the poetry of Melvin B. Tolson, offers a documentary with the original debaters, shows behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the movie, and visits Wiley College. -soul goddess

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