Reviewed by Patricia Barnes-Cannon

The movie, The Best of Enemies, is based on the book The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South, written by Osha Gray Davidson. Although the entire nation was undergoing the integration of schools in the early 1970s, Durham County presented an entirely unique concept to address the conflict at hand. This movie is based on the actual account of events that took place between the black and white communities of Durham. Using an interactive process, the community looked at its values and strengths. Amid much anger and fear the two co-leaders, one Black female community activist and one White male KKK activist, came to an agreement for the same goal.

But the most significant outcome was the gift of a new enduring relationship that resulted between Ann Atwater and CP Ellis which ultimately impacted the entire community and nation in many ways. Real change is not easy but learning and listening to the heart of another person through Jesus Christ yields everlasting change that can and will be made.

We invite you to view The Best of Enemies in your home and then come join us for a discussion. The movie is available to stream from Amazon Prime for $2.99. You can check your own streaming services to see if it might be available there. The King County Library System also has many DVD copies available to borrow for free. You can learn more about the history compared to the movie at History vs. Hollywood. We invite you in as a participant to learn about the past, self, and our fallen human nature as both black and white people and how each of us can make a change from within through His help.

As you view the movie can you remember "What was Going On" in our world and your state? Where were you in your community in 1971? What was your church life like then? What were one or two of your favorite songs? If you were born after 1971, what stories have you heard from your parents or grandparents about that time? What did you learn in school?

Depending on the size of our discussion group, we would like to begin with sharing (up to 5 minutes) where you were and what it was like for you at that time, or what you've heard or learned about that time. You can either choose to tell your story or share a song that deeply affected you or something else from that time. Looking forward to seeing you as we recall our past to gain insight into today.