To Dream Again

Dear Reader:

To Dream Again contains a comprehensive resource guide that includes a list of thought-provoking books, movies, think-tanks and policy groups, United States and international non-governmental organizations, United States government entities, and news and current events publications and websites.

Since To Dream Again was published in 2004, I have come across (or become more fully acquainted with) additional books, movies, organizations, and websites that I have found to be particularly informative and interesting. I have included a list of them below.

The descriptions of the following books have been taken directly from Amazon (www.amazon.com), a company I highly recommend. The following movie descriptions have been directly taken from Netflix (www.netflix.com), another company I highly recommend. The following descriptions of think-tanks, policy groups, and United States and international non-governmental organizations are derived from information on the respective organizations’ websites.

I hope you find the following additional resources useful.

Sincerely,
Anthony Welch

Books | Movies | Think-Tanks & Policy Groups | U.S. & International NGOs | News & Current Events

Books

The Two Percent Solution by Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller's The Two Percent Solution challenges our country to get past bipartisan ideology and change the way we approach our biggest domestic problems. His plan? Take 2 percent of America's GDP and direct it toward a handful of fundamental goals on which all of us can agree, whether we call ourselves Republicans, Democrats or Independents. For just two cents on the national dollar we can have a country where everyone has health insurance, full-time workers earn a living wage, poor children have great teachers in fixed-up schools, and politicians no longer have to grovel to wealthy donors. All this with a government smaller than it was when Ronald Reagan was president.

God Has A Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu has long been admired throughout the world for the heroism and grace he exhibited while encouraging countless South Africans in their struggle for human rights. In God Has a Dream, his most soul-searching book, he shares the spiritual message that guided him through those troubled times. Drawing on personal and historical examples, Archbishop Tutu reaches out to readers of all religious backgrounds, showing how individual and global suffering can be transformed into joy and redemption.

Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman

First published in 1949, Jesus and the Disinherited is a brilliant and compassionate look at God’s work in our lives. As we struggle today with issues of poverty, racism, and spiritual disengagement, Howard Thurman’s discerning reading of the message of renewal through self-love as exemplified in the life of Jesus resonates powerfully once again. Jesus and the Disinherited is an important and influential book whose message helped shape the civil rights movement and changed our nation’s history forever.

Movies

10,000 Black Men Named George

During the Depression, gainful employment is practically nonexistent for African-Americans. The only available jobs are as porters for the Pullman Rail Company (which pay blacks one-third of what white employees make). Journalist Philip Randolph (played by actor Andre Braugher) makes it his mission to help these forgotten workers -- called "George," after company founder George Pullman -- and helps form the first black union in America. Robert Townsend directs.

Akeelah and the Bee

With an aptitude for words, 11-year-old Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) is determined to spell her way out of South Los Angeles, entering scores of local contests and eventually landing a chance to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Despite discouragement from her mother (Angela Bassett), Akeelah gets support from her bookish tutor (Laurence Fishburne), her principal (Curtis Armstrong) and proud members of her community.

An Inconvenient Truth

Director-producer Davis Guggenheim (HBO's "Deadwood") captures former Vice President Al Gore in the midst of waging a passionate campaign -- not for the White House, but for the environment. Laying out the facts of global warming without getting political, Gore makes a sobering impression in this Oscar-winning doc on the audiences who hear his message, urging them to act "boldly, quickly and wisely" ... before it's too late to act at all.

America Beyond the Color Line

Author Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the status of black America at the start of the 21st century in this documentary. Gates travels to the East Coast, the Deep South, inner-city Chicago and Hollywood for a close look at the current issues facing today's black communities. He also interviews everyday African Americans as well as influential leaders and celebrities including Colin Powell, Maya Angelou, Jesse Jackson and Morgan Freeman.

Blood Diamond

Set during Sierra Leone's bloody civil war in 1999, this thriller stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Danny Archer, a smuggler who sells "blood" diamonds used to finance terrorists. When Archer meets a local fisherman (Djimon Hounsou) whose son has been forced into a child army, the two men's lives become intertwined, and they set off on an adventure that leads them through the world's major diamond centers. DiCaprio and Hounsou earned Oscar nods for their performances.

Coach Carter

Samuel L. Jackson plays the titular, controversial coach, a hardliner who firmly believes that scholarship and a sense of ethics go hand in hand with excellence on the basketball court. A man of his convictions, Coach Carter benches his undefeated team of high schoolers when they turn in poor academic grades (much to the chagrin of the players' parents and many of his fellow teachers). Co-stars Ashanti. Thomas Carter directs.

Freedom Writers

Hilary Swank stars as a young teacher who inspires her at-risk students in this moving drama based on true events. Erin Gruwell (Swank) assigns her class an ambitious project: While studying works such as The Diary of Anne Frank, the kids keep journals about their troubled lives, applying history's lessons to break the cycle of violence and despair that threatens their futures. Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton and Patrick Dempsey co-star.

Gridiron Gang

When a detention camp probation officer (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) presents his idea to mold dangerous teenage inmates into a successful high school-level football team, none of his superiors thinks he can do it. But with a spirited co-worker (rapper Xzibit) by his side, he just may prove them wrong. This sports-infused drama is based on an Emmy-Award documentary chronicling the creation of the real-life Camp Kilpatrick Mustangs.

Hotel Rwanda

Amid the holocaust of internecine tribal fighting in Rwanda that sees the savage butchering of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children, one ordinary man (Oscar nominee Don Cheadle) musters the courage to save more than 1,000 helpless refugees by sheltering them in the hotel he manages. Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte and Joaquin Phoenix co-star in this powerful film directed by Terry George.

North Country

Based on an inspiring real-life event that took place in the 1970s, North Country stars Charlize Theron in another low-glamour but high-impact role as Josey Aimes, one of only a handful of women working in the Minnesota iron mines. Forced to labor under sexist conditions, she and her female colleagues decide to stand up against the unrelenting harassment from their male counterparts. Frances McDormand, Sissy Spacek and Woody Harrelson co-star.

Pride

In this uplifting film based on a true story, coach Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) shocks the community and changes lives when, aided by a local janitor (Bernie Mac), he sets out to form Philadelphia's first black swim team. The story follows Ellis as he recruits teens in one of Philly's toughest areas and tries to transform the streetwise youths into a championship squad. But the odds are against them as they battle rigid rules, racism and more.

Promises

Documentarians Justine Shapiro and B.Z. Goldberg went to Israel to work on a project about children and conflict, interviewing Palestinian and Israeli kids ages 11-13 to get their views on living in a society afflicted with violence, separatism and religious and political extremism. The film culminates in an astonishing day when two Israeli children meet Palestinian youngsters at a refugee camp. A 2002 Oscar nominee for Best Feature Documentary.

Remember the Titans

It looks like fourth down and long yardage when Denzel Washington replaces a well-respected -- and white -- football coach (Will Patton) in a Virginia high school rampant with prejudice, circa 1970. Not to be discouraged, Washington welds the young players, the Titans, into a force to be reckoned with on the gridiron and off. Based on real-life events.

Street Fight

Raising hard questions about American politics, democracy and race, Marshall Curry's incisive Oscar-nominated documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of the Newark, N.J., cutthroat mayoral race in 2002. The candidates: young Ivy League upstart Cory Booker vs. incumbent Sharpe James, an old-timer who's not above employing questionable tactics to achieve victory. The gloves come off as the contenders lock horns in their battle to win voters.

The Boys of Baraka

In an experimental program to reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency, the city of Baltimore sent a group of 12-year-olds deemed "at risk" to a boarding school in Kenya, affording the boys the rare opportunity to turn their troubled lives around. Focusing on four of the youths, this compelling documentary follows the students as they struggle to overcome the obstacles of their past in their hopeful bid for a shot at a brighter future.

The Insider

One man told the truth. Another reported the story. Both paid the price. The Insider -- a true tale about a Big Tobacco scientist (Russell Crowe) who exposed industry secrets, and the newsman (Al Pacino) who fought corporate forces that would have squelched the story -- offers a glimpse into power, media and money in America. A thought-provoking and thrilling film.

The Ultimate Gift

When his wealthy grandfather (James Garner) dies, Jason Stevens (Drew Fuller) fully expects to benefit when it comes to the reading of the will. But instead of a sizable inheritance, Jason receives a test, a series of tasks he must complete before he can get any money. Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin and former beauty queen Lee Meriwether also star in this coming-of-age drama based on the novel by Jim Stovall.

Whale Rider

A Maori tribe must contend with the distinctly non-traditional concept of having a female leader when young Pai's (Keisha Castle-Hughes) twin brother -- the intended heir to the throne -- dies during childbirth. Now, she must struggle to prove herself. Stars Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis and Grant Roa. Written and directed by Niki Caro.

When The Levees Broke

Spike Lee commemorates the people of New Orleans with a four-hour epic documentary that doesn't just recount the events of late August 2005 but asks why they unfolded the way they did in the first place. Weaving interviews with news footage and amateur video, Lee uses the film to give meaningful voice to the people who were left behind. With a detached unsentimental eye, he delivers a poignant account of a major moment in recent U.S. history.

American Enterprise Institute (www.aei.org)

The Institute’s purposes are to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism--limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and responsibility, vigilant and effective defense and foreign policies, political accountability, and open debate. Its work is addressed to government officials and legislators, teachers and students, business executives, professionals, journalists, and all citizens interested in a serious understanding of government policy, the economy, and important social and political developments.

Center for American Progress (www.americanprogress.org)

The Center for American Progress is a progressive think-tank dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through ideas and action. The Center is creating a long-term, progressive vision for America—a vision that policy makers, thought-leaders and activists can use to shape the national debate and pass laws that make a difference. The Center believes that America should be a country of boundless opportunity—where all people can better themselves through education, hard work, and the freedom to pursue their dreams. This will only be achieved with an open and effective government that champions the common good over narrow self-interest, harnesses the strength of our diversity, and secures the rights and safety of its people.

Center for Strategic and International Studies (www.csis.org)

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) seeks to advance global security and prosperity in an era of economic and political transformation by providing strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision-makers. CSIS serves as a strategic planning partner for the government by conducting research and analysis and developing policy initiatives that look into the future and anticipate change.

Center for Community Change (www.communitychange.org)

The Center for Community Change strengthens, connects and mobilizes grassroots groups to enhance their leadership, voice and power. The Center believes that vibrant community-based organizations, led by the people most affected by social and economic injustice, are key to putting an end to the failed "on your own" mentality of the right and building a new politics based on community values.

Cesar E. Chavez Foundation (www.chavezfoundation.org)

The mission of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization, is to maximize human potential to improve communities by preserving, promoting and applying the legacy and universal values of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez.

Citizen Schools (www.citizenschools.org)

Citizen Schools operates a national network of apprenticeship programs for middle school students, connecting adult volunteers to young people in hands-on learning projects after school. At Citizen Schools, students develop the academic and leadership skills they need to do well in school, get into college, and become leaders in their careers and in their communities.

Constitutional Rights Foundation (www.crf-usa.org)

Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) is a non-profit, non-partisan, community-based organization dedicated to educating America's young people about the importance of civic participation in a democratic society.

Through Earth Force, young people get hands-on, real-world opportunities to practice civic skills, acquire and understand environmental knowledge, and develop the skills and motivation to become life-long leaders in addressing environmental issues.

Experience Corps (www.experiencecorps.org)

Experience Corps engages people over 55 in meeting their communities' greatest challenges. Experience Corps members tutor and mentor elementary school students struggling to learn to read.

Housing Works (www.housingworks.org)

Housing Works strives to ensure that homeless and low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families have adequate housing, food, social support, drug treatment, health care, and employment. Housing Works is especially committed to serving those who have difficulty obtaining services elsewhere because they struggle with mental illness or chemical dependency.

Newark Now (www.newarknow.org)

Utilizing a multi-faceted approach, Newark Now partners with community organizations, philanthropic entities and the Office of Mayor Cory Booker to design and implement neighborhood and city-wide initiatives that increase safety, child and family well-being, economic independence, and civic participation in Newark, New Jersey.

ONE Campaign (www.one.org)

Working on the ground in communities, colleges and churches across the United States, ONE members both educate and ask America's leaders to increase efforts to fight global AIDS and extreme poverty, from the U.S. budget and presidential elections to specific legislation on debt cancellation, increasing effective international assistance, making trade fair, and fighting corruption.

Peace Games (www.peacegames.org)

Peace Games empowers students to create their own safe classrooms and communities by forming partnerships with elementary schools, families, and young adult volunteers.

Reading Is Fundamental (www.rif.org)

Reading Is Fundamental prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most.

Sojourners (www.sojo.net)

Sojourners’ mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world.

News and Current Events Publications and Websites

ABC News (www.abcnews.com)

BBC News (news.bbc.co.uk)

Google News (news.google.com)

Washington Monthly (www.washingtonmonthly.com)