SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

Children who grew up in the south suburban community of Park Forest often described race relations in their hometown as “utopian.” Curious to find out if that perception was accurate, documentary filmmakers interviewed 70 current and former residents who spent their childhoods in the village. Their findings revealed that, despite occasional incidents of racism, nearly all participants agreed that the community’s racial harmony was genuine. The filmmakers also discovered that from 1959 through the 1980s, Park Forest implemented intentional social engineering and integration policies designed to create and sustain a diverse, inclusive community—efforts that many residents believe contributed to its unique reputation for racial harmony.