Nonprofit Hosts Screening of Documentary about School Redistricting: An Interview with the Southeastern Alliance's Anna Lee

By Lauren Hodges

12-09-10 – The regional non-profit Southeastern Alliance for Community Change has spent the past two years advocating against school redistricting, specifically neighborhood schools, in New Hanover County.

According to 2008-2009 school year statistics from the North Carolina Justice Center, nearly 50% of New Hanover County elementary schools were racially identifiable. That means the percentage of minority students attending those schools is 20% or more above the percentage of minority students in the district as a whole.

Advocates for recent redistricting say that keeping neighborhood schools in New Hanover County is not a racially-motivated decision.

The alliance is screening a documentary tonight called "A Community Concern" that explores school districts in the Bronx, Boston, and Oakland, California.

WHQR's Lauren Hodges sat down with Anna Lee, the alliance's board chair, to discuss the film and the group's concerns about area public schools.

The screening is tonight (Thursday) from 7-9 at Midtown Deli and Grill at 2316 South 17th Street in Wilmington. The Southeastern Center for Community Change will be collecting $7 donations per person at the door.A brief discussion will follow the screening.

Learn more about the documentary called A Community Concern.