Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. It was July 2016, and the list of Black men and women killed by police had grown by two names in just two days.
For teacher and producer Brandi Webb, those names were the last straw. She began work on a passion project, creating a film that would illustrate the violence and oppression experienced by people of color in the U.S. Her idea was to place the country on trial using its own system of justice and laws.
Brandi Webb, producer, filmmaker, and teacher in New York City.
By examining history with a criminal law book at hand, Webb found evidence to charge the U.S. with kidnapping, child abuse, cruel and unusual punishment, harassment and stalking, and manslaughter, among other offenses. She compiled the charges and released her film, Betrayal of a Nation, in 2021.
Part documentary, part dramatic storytelling, the film’s unique format and premise caught the attention of teachers, who recognized that Webb’s work could be impactful in the classroom. For a year and a half, Webb collaborated with educators to create the 3E Program for Social Justice and Change, which begins its official roll out on November 15.
The 3E Program aims to teach unfiltered American history by combining ethics, empathy, and empowerment, the three Es. Meeting the New York state standards for U.S. history, the 3E Program consists of lesson plans, assessments, and accompanying clips from the film, which can be taught in middle school, high school, homeschooling, or even outside of education for professional training. Participants are asked to respond to questions before and after broaching each new subject to assess the lesson’s impact, which Webb said is key to ensuring the program is a success.
“I want measured results,” said Webb. “I want this program to be impactful, to change mindsets. I’m hoping for a positive change. I want to create a new legacy free from historical omission and distortion.”
