A diverse audience of 150 from the Greater Salk Lake City community gathered at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art [1] for the Feb. 8 screening of Not In Our Town: Class Actions [2].

KUED [3] partnered with the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice and the Eunice Shrive Kennedy Community of Caring at the University of Utah to host the free public screening, reception, and a panel discussion of the film. Class Actions debuted on PBS on Feb. 13 and explores how students and educators in three American Communities joined together to address hate and bullying in their schools.

National Community of Caring Center Associate Director Dr. David Parker shares his perspective on the screening:

This documentary is closely aligned with the goals of the National Community of Caring Center. I was honored to be the opening speaker for the screening in Salt Lake City, Utah for KUED. The screening gave an opportunity for a diverse representation of members of the community to come together to explore various aspects of the “climate” regarding acts of bullying and hate.

Three high school panelists shared their experiences

with bullying at the Class Actions Screening.

Photos courtesy of KUED.

The discussion that followed the screening was framed around a panel comprised of three (3) amazing high school students that are making a difference in their schools within the Salt Lake City area. The screening was a catalyst for a collective conversation focusing on ways to further provide tools to students, parents and schools to identify and speak out against acts of bullying and hate. It was encouraging to be part of a community conversation that did not focus on placing blame for the current situation of bullying. Instead the conversation was focused on ways to improve the culture and climate of the schools and community so that bullying will not occur.

The conversation centered on student groups that are focused on raising awareness of targeted groups and individuals within the school community. Each of the three panelists shared their efforts at their school and the support or obstacles they have encountered. Each story was different with two common threads uniting them. The common threads were that each of the students' stories was focused on improving the culture and climate of their school and each had the support and love of their family.