HARD LESSONS (THE GEORGE MCKENNA STORY) is a biographical story of George McKenna's (Denzel Washington) first year as the new principal of George Washington High School in Los Angeles. [1] A former principal at Washington Preparatory High School, McKenna helped reform the school as the school had issues with gang violence, with his actions being re-enacted in the 1986 biographical film The George McKenna Story where he was portrayed by Denzel Washington. McKenna has received more than 400 citations and awards from civic, legislative and professional organizations. But McKennas supporters say the superintendent is simply a self-confident idealist who has challenged a school system run by politicians with agendas and constituencies of their own. Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide. He attended all the athletic events and held regular assemblies with male and female students separately where they could ask him any question that was concerning them about life, family, love, drugs, sex, homework, college, anything. [6], In 1988, McKenna was hired to become the Inglewood Unified School District superintendent. Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). By Andrea Beach, LA Sentinel Staff December 19, 2015. Life is full of hard lessons for McKenna, who risks it all by going head-to-head with the gang-run war zone known as George . McKenna was at first surprised when told by LA School Report that it had been so long since the movies release. The antagonist in the movie the teacher who had it out for McKenna was also a composite. . Still, new principal McKenna (Denzel Washington, best known as Dr. Phillip Chandler on ''St. Elsewhere and directed some episodes. [10], In August 2014, McKenna announced that he was running for the LAUSD Board of Education District 1 seat to finish Marguerite LaMotte's term as LaMotte had died in December 2013. Together, the two widows carried on the civil rights movement, and this movie tells the true story of their powerful friendship. Guess who decides who the coach is, and who plays on this team? There are 70+ professionals named "George Mckenna", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. George McKenna talks about Black Males and helping Crenshaw High. Dr. The 16,000-student district has both a police chief and a security director and two people directing maintenance. McKenna is much lighter. He also was one of the real-life characters portrayed in the filmwho met with the writers and filmmakers during the making of the movie. Hemeets resistance, particularly from a teacher who reports himto the districtontrumped-up charges. Only 14 percent of the students are enrolled in at least one Advanced Placement course, compared to the state average of 22 percent. Though your kids may be familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, they're likely less familiar with Coretta Scott King and Dr. Betty Shabazz, the wives who formed a friendship following their husbands' tragic deaths. George McKenna III was born in New Orleans into a family that was steeped deeply in the culture and history of the city. The Department of Afro American Research, Arts and Culture makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. A teen is asked if he's "an illegal.". [3], At Rotten Tomatoes the film received two negative reviews from critics.[4]. Aug 2007 - Sep 20114 years 2 months. See more information about George McKenna "Great for all new business and account management professionals" No blood or gore seen, bu, The "N" word, "hell," "dammit," and "damn." It was originally broadcast as The George McKenna Story on TV in 1986, but the following year, Washington was nominated for an Oscar for another movie, and attention from that suddenly made him a huge box-office draw. When a student physically threatens a teacher, he receives an unheard-of suspension. School notoriety, the famous and infamous. George McKenna's role in Sidey Ltd is Director of Manufacture. The big year was 1990, when 20 of the 25 largest school superintendencies (in the country) were vacant, said Michael Kirst, a Stanford University professor who studies the politics of education. That incident, like the rest of the movie, was true, McKenna said, adding about the death, It was one of the toughest moments of my life. The gang fight motivates the principal to step up changes both on campus which he does with the help of an idealistic white teacher and off campus, includingpainting over graffiti on a wall across the street and recruiting the football team to help. In the McKenna era, 80 percent of the schoolsgraduates went to college; only 69 percent now say in a recent survey that they even aspire to get a college degree. With the help of the TV studio, McKennas school reformswere shared with districts throughout the nation and adopted in professional development trainings. Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, a longtime friend and colleague of McKenna, said: Its just nonsensical to me.. The 1% pay cut for all employees was only one cost-saving measure to erase a $1.2-million deficit. Not only does the idealistic outsider have to deal with a dispirited, burned-out student body, but with the usual downtown bureaucratic bumblers, as well as a core group of faculty members (white and black) who stubbornly resist boat-rocking, and a collection of bitter parents, including the president of a community action committee (Margaret Wright), who promptly informs him, ''I got you hired, and I can get you fired. While the movie benefits from an engaging performance by Washington, the storyline too often presents his character as a kind of academic superhero, as he challenges (and beats) his young charges in one-on-one basketball games, patiently teaches the toughest gang member remedial reading, comes to the aid of a lonely Hispanic youngster who lives by himself in an abandoned car and patches things up between a bright upperclassman and his abusive father. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Then something changed, Most of Yosemite Valley is closed due to potentially perilous snowpack and flooding, Four dead in apparent mass shooting in Mojave, What was behind the protest against an archaeologist at last weeks L.A. Times Book Festival, Column: If not cops or guns, what will it take to make us feel safe? Elsewhere'') and written by Charles Eric Johnson, the two-hour movie (8 p.m. Tuesday on CBS-Ch. He hates the system. It wasnt really too much, but it was enough to cause resistance. Remove Ads Cast Crew Details Genres Cast That was personal, and thats when the graffiti stopped.. Some things have gone backwards, its out of my control, but ultimately that school and all the schools in the district are much, much safer, McKenna said. You come over here and help me paint the fence. [1] A half-dozen principals have come and gone since McKenna left in 1986, including his friend Marguerite LaMotte, who went on to be elected to the school board. McKenna, whose days as crusader principal of Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles were celebrated in a 1986 television movie, is trying to save his career as superintendent of the Inglewood schools. Attendance is now at 90 percent, and 70 percent of the graduates have gone on to college in each of the past four years. Year Average % Change State 1986-87 252 1991-92 259 +2.7% County 1986-87 230 1991-92 236 +2.5% Inglewood 1986-87 201 1991-92 204 +1.5%. George McKenna: Well, then you'll think twice about it next time, won't you? I have never been married, no wife, no kids, McKenna mused. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! There's no excuse for that. McKenna wanted us to fill out extra paperwork, make phone calls to students homes, stay a bit later to tutor. Carbon Copy: Directed by Michael Schultz. Nice start to May, rain possible this weekend, Mandina's Restaurant reopens to customers after tragic shooting, CSU forecasts slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season, 'Art of the Black Experience' showcases Black artists in New Orleans, On The Road: Business is booming at It's Family Cafe in Houma. Analysis: Los Angeles pays a steep price for labor peace. By 2003, they had been collecting for nearly three decades, so they opened the museum. They cant do it alone. Both of Inglewoods high schools are run by principals who were not McKennas first choice, Rouzan said. In the first three years under McKenna, 122 of the 142 teachers transferred to another school or resigned. Biography, Drama. Their son is Orleans Parish coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna, and his wife is Beverly Stanton McKenna, the editor of the New Orleans Tribune, a minority-focused newspaper. The real George McKenna, and Denzel Washington portraying him. Even picking his personal staff, McKenna had to go to the board for approval, Rouzan said. Robert Norris: Showing no movie ain't teaching. Teen appeal may be a bit limited, too. Today, only about 70 percent of the students have high or near perfect attendance, while 27 percent are chronically absent. NEW ORLEANS The George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art on Carondelet street is an impressive showcase of black art. After his hiring, McKenna was criticized by opponents for being arrogant and mismanaged the district. That's all. Young actor/director Eric Laneuville, whose mother was aWashington High counselor and worked with McKenna, was tapped to direct the film. We won't share this comment without your permission. He claims to have the largest collection of McKenna archives, including his ticket to the movie premiere as well as teaching guides that CBS sent out to instructors throughout the countrywhen the movie aired. All the parts in the movie were real, everything happened, it was factual, said McKenna, who read all versions of the script. Uplifting biopic has some violence, strong language. Indeed, the tenure of urban school chiefs is increasingly brief. Though he must face off against apathetic parents and disillusioned teachers, McKenna fights to give all his students a fair chance at an education, no matter their race or background. whines his chief antagonist (Richard Masur). At the time, this high school was one of the most notorious and violent in Los Angeles, replete with gangs, drug dealing and gun fights. A handshake exchange implies a drug deal in front of the school. In 1989, McKenna received the Congressional Black Caucus Chairmans Award and in 1997 was elected into the National Alliance of Black School Educators Hall of Fame. Will the war continue anyway? Twenty-two years ago abortion was made an . African-Americans, who then made up 90 percent of the student population, are now 48 percent; 49 percent are Latino. Above, Denzel Washington walking into Washington High for the first time, and below, the actual logo at the school. Theyre yours, and the principal is responsible whether the grass grows. All rights reserved. William Jenkins, whose children attended district schools and who was on the search committee that recommended McKennas hiring, insists that there were more qualified candidates. Former board member Joseph Rouzan, whose term expired in April, said McKenna cannot transfer a janitor without board approval. What other biographical movies have you seen? Gangs formedand drugs were sold openly. McKenna, a short man who looms large at the microphone, has held forth in forums ranging from ABC's "Nightline" to last year's National League of Cities convention in New Orleans, where his. In 1962, he accepted a teaching position for the Los Angeles Unified School District while attending Loyola Law School, the University of California, Los Angeles, and California State University, Los Angeles. Mandatory homework is decreed, as are a dress code and a homeroom period designed to keep tight check on attendance. With Denzel Washington, Lynn Whitfield, Akosua Busia, Richard Masur. The movie made history as one of the first positive depictions of an interracial marriage, and even 50 years later, this movie is still a must-watch. '', He also has a timetable of rigid reforms. movie before "Cry Freedom" Oscar nominated performance. What strategies that McKenna used were most effective in turning the school around? Aine Mckenna, Catherine Anne Mckenna . He had a precise way of identifying what needed to be done and how to do it., Kakassy said the movie didnt show the whole story. The district, Kirst said, becomes an economic development agency. ), Concertgoer lets out a loud full body orgasm while L.A. Phil plays Tchaikovskys 5th, At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Plaschke: Lakers live up to their legacy with a close-out win for the ages, L.A. Affairs: I had my reasons for not dating white men. Even now as aschool board member, McKenna said changing the system is still a challenge. Eventually McKenna is able to convince a few people to try new things, and little by little they start to prove effective. But who are George and Leah McKenna. Your donation will help us produce journalism like this. After the film, the school received many grants and motivation by the district to create Performing Arts, Math/Science and Communication Arts magnets. Of course, that isn't easy and utilizing tools that speak on their level can help, including kid-friendly movies about race and racism. [1] It involves the events at George Washington Preparatory High School in South Los Angeles. But they didnt ask for help. McKenna notes that there are still schools nationwide like Washington High in the movie, but heis sure that there arent any that bad in LA Unifiedanymore. All information is provided on an as-is basis. Teens throw eggs at an adult, trip him by throwing a garbage can in his way. McKenna was born in New Orleans as a very light-skinned Creole black man. He is also the author of several articles that have appeared in local and national newspapers and educational journals. Why should it be celebratory when it does work rather than invoking outrage when it doesnt?. It happened in a much shorter time in the movie, though, when in reality it took a period of two or three years.. Common Sense Media Reviewer With George Segal, Susan Saint James, Jack Warden, Dick Martin. A student dies in McKennas arms in the movie. Eventually, though, repeating again and again the need for pride and self-respect, he starts to turn it around--seeking out the most promising students, creating a ''We Are Family'' recruiting brochure, pressuring the bussed pupils into coming back. Black Cinema, There are 70+ professionals named "George Mckenna", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities.

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