Poverty, Planning & Politics

Here is a great short list of films that people interested in advocacy planning might appreciate.

1. True Colors: a documentary about institutionalized racism and discrimination in the United States.
2. Criss Cross: if you can get past the fact that it's a film noir, the film offers a funny view of how people began to view the city as a terrible place to live in the late '40s / early '50s.
3. Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House: a satirical film criticizing the American dream of moving to the suburbs that actually ended up inadvertently fueling suburbanization and urban sprawl.
4. Race: The Power of an Illusion – The House We Live In: a powerful documentary about old real estate and city planning techniques used to zone out minorities in the United States.
5. Holding Ground: The Rebirth of Dudley Street: great film about the successes of a community organizing and advocacy group within an impoverished area of Boston.

- David