Educating Black Boys

In a poignant exploration, Tony Harris invites viewers into the heart of Baltimore’s inner city in the documentary “Educating Black Boys.” While Baltimore may be known as ‘Charm City’ for its harbor and vibrant nightlife, Harris delves beyond the surface to shed light on the harsh realities faced by black youth in an education system that has, for many, become a stumbling block rather than a pathway to success. As a personal journey unfolds, Harris confronts the challenges that have left a generation of black boys trapped in the dead ends of inner-city life.

The documentary is a sobering reflection on Baltimore’s dual identity – a city of charm and a city of struggle. Harris, intimately connected to both, takes viewers on a close-up exploration of his old neighborhood, providing a firsthand account of the hurdles faced by black youth striving to escape the challenges of inner-city streets. With a backdrop of crime statistics that disproportionately involve black males as both perpetrators and victims, the film dives into the complexities of policing in these communities and questions the role of early stereotyping that affects black kids as early as grade school.

At the heart of “Educating Black Boys” is an examination of the education system’s failure to uplift black boys, an issue that has far-reaching consequences for individuals and communities alike. Harris, having successfully navigated the obstacles, reflects on his journey, questioning why he managed to break free while so many of his peers did not. The documentary becomes a call for introspection on societal structures, educational inequalities, and the systemic challenges that perpetuate cycles of disadvantage.