Abstract
This documentary tells the story of a small nonprofit in Washington, DC, that is committed to reforesting the city while providing a pathway to employment for poor minorities in the so-called green jobs. It is also a story of what happens in the last six months before the big grant runs out. And it is a cautionary tale about what happens when a poor, African American neighborhood has a reforesting initiative thrust on it by white professionals with a mission instead of establishing a partnership with mutually agreed-upon terms. Yes, it is all that. If you are looking for a catalyst for classroom or community discussions on nonprofits, the perils of program funding, and cultural clashes, this film has much to offer.
City of Trees is so real in part because it goes behind the scenes to an extent that was a bit surprising. It follows the lives of Charles and Michael, who are both trying to overcome past life problems and who buy in to the Washington Parks and People’s mission and promise. A filmed job interview raised my eyebrows as a bit exploitative and coerced because the applicant, James, wants the job. I’m sure he signed the release form (and he gets the job), but this situation illustrated for me how filmmakers and journalists can tell the stories we have to bury in pseudonyms and data. This is sociology that most sociologists cannot do in such a real, lived manner. Internal meetings are also shown where conflicts arise. The Washington Parks and People executive director Steve and the Green Corps program director Karen talk about personalities and shortcomings, clearly leaving a meeting with hard feelings. In short, there is much to chew on for activist sociologists who have to walk the fine line between doing real work and then talk or write about it. The problems addressed are spot on for anyone who has done community work and has been sensitive to the dynamics at play. There are some positive developments, so the film is not a total downer. Still, the personal stories, real issues, and dramatic tensions will pull your students in.
I highly recommend this film for courses on social problems, urban communities, nonprofit organizations, and racial and ethnic relations. Another good thing is that it is rather short as these things go. Buy this DVD, watch it, and share it with others. We need much more serious discussion and action on this film’s topics to raise our collective consciousness about the pros and cons of nonprofits and how they work with communities.