Home Viewing Guide
Turner Network Television (TNT), Turner Learning, Inc. and your local cable operator are pleased to provide your child's school with free curriculum materials to accompany the upcoming TNT Original PASSING GLORY, which premieres Sunday, February 21, at 8pm (et/pt) exclusively on TNT with encores throughout the month.
PASSING GLORY is provided to educators as part of TNT Learning, an ongoing educational series developed by TNT and delivered by your local cable operator. TNT Learning provides a vehicle to engage students in the analysis and interpretation of historical accounts. TNT Learning promotes the investigation of historical perspective by examining the decisions and techniques filmmakers use to convey their unique account‹a key element in media literacy. Watch for upcoming originals from TNT Learning that provide a forum to discuss history from multiple perspectives and think critically about the images they see and hear every day.
TNT Learning promotes using the power of cable television both to generate meaningful discussion and engage students in the process of learning. This home viewing guide is intended to bring that same excitement for learning into the home. We encourage you to watch PASSING GLORY with your children and use the discussion questions listed below to further the experience of learning together as a family.
About the film PASSING GLORY
Set in 1960s segregation-era Louisiana, PASSING GLORY tells of an unorthodox African-American priest, who coaches an all-Black high school basketball team. He exhorts his players to challenge the social conventions of a segregationist town by organizing a game between his undefeated team and a rival undefeated White team. The head-to-head competition results in an inspiring story of the discovery of mutual respect, which crosses racial boundaries. Inspired by a true story, PASSING GLORY is produced by Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Quincy Jones.
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the meaning of Civil Rights with your child. Share your memories of the Civil Rights Movement. Where were you living at the time? Have your child list some of the key Civil Rights events from the historical background and timeline resources. Do you remember any of these events? Were you actively for or against the Civil Rights Movement? What were the factors influencing your viewpoint(s)? As you watch PASSING GLORY with your child, discuss the various perspectives presented on the Civil Rights Movement. How much have things changed? How much have they remained the same?
2. One of the key themes in PASSING GLORY is the conflict between the generations. Travis' parents are hesitant to expose Travis to the issues of racism and discrimination and are themselves hesitant to participate in Civil Rights activism. Mike Malone and his father disagree on Mike's right to play in the basketball game. As you watch PASSING GLORY, discuss these conflicts. Do you and your child disagree on any major issues-music, dress, curfew, friends? Are there any issues for which your child fights that you just can't understand? Why is it so natural that different generations come into conflict over societal changes?
3. Another key theme in PASSING GLORY is the rite of passage. When Travis leads the basketball team into the diner and again when he challenges the Jesuits to a basketball game, he is demonstrating his own personal growth. His leadership role on and off the court and his choice not to be like Little Ricky are his rites of passage into becoming a young man. Has your child had any challenges, or expect any challenges in the near future, that will be a real turning point on the way to becoming a young adult?