Back in the 1970s, a young white South African named Mahree Bok, played by Lindsey Haun, travels to the United States as part of an exchange program. She’s there to live with a Black family and is taken aback upon discovering that apartheid isn’t a thing in America. It’s hard not to feel a little uneasy with the premise of The Color of Friendship, a Disney Channel Original Movie released in 2000. Yet, it’s surprising how director Kevin Hooks and writer Paris Qualles, both of whom are Black, don’t shy away from exploring these sensitive race relations with all their complexity. This film, inspired by a true story, doesn’t hold back in delivering its powerful message.
Upon her arrival, Mahree finds herself in an awkward position as she declines to shake hands with her host mother, Roscoe Dellums, portrayed by Penny Johnson Jerald. Her discomfort only grows when she meets her host father, Congressman Ron Dellums, played by Carl Lumbly, as she’s taken aback by the idea of a Black person in such a position of authority. As the story unfolds, Mahree’s perspective starts to change when a young Black girl, Piper Dellums, played by Shadia Simmons, offers her a meal in an attempt to bridge their cultural gap. It’s through small interactions like these that Mahree and Piper begin to see how much they share in common. In one particularly striking scene, Mahree educates Piper on the different labels for Black people in South Africa, shockingly using the N-word twice in a film rated TV-G!
Things take a serious turn when news breaks of Steve Biko, a prominent anti-apartheid activist, being killed by authorities. Mahree dismisses it, saying, "Who cares? Just some crazy terrorist who killed himself." This outburst prompts Piper to react strongly, setting the stage for Congressman Dellums to enlighten Mahree about the brutal reality of apartheid. Through this lesson, Mahree finally realizes the oppressive nature of the system and what South Africans are truly fighting for in their struggle for liberation.
Not exactly what you’d expect from a typical Disney movie, right?
Take a stroll down memory lane to Remember The Titans, another Disney story from 2000 centered around the theme of desegregation in 1970s America, and based on true events. Unlike The Color of Friendship, this film features the legendary Denzel Washington and is widely acclaimed as a classic. Still, there’s a simplistic vibe to how the characters Gary Bertier and Julius Campbell seem to “solve” racism amid a late-night practice by chanting, “left side, strong side.” Just like that, the racial tensions vanish.
As The Color of Friendship concludes, Mahree returns to her racist family back in South Africa. In a touching moment, she reveals to their Black maid, Flora, that she has secretly sewn the Black liberation flag inside her jacket. Racism hasn’t been conquered. It persists, and Mahree could find herself in jeopardy if she openly shares her new beliefs.
Among Disney’s offerings, The Color of Friendship stands out as decidedly un-Disney-like, perhaps due to its niche as a smaller-screen feature. While the film may suggest racism is an outdated issue in America, it effectively illustrates how ignorance takes root, educating young audiences on apartheid while highlighting the shared humanity between people, regardless of skin color. It’s this depth that makes The Color of Friendship worth revisiting.
