I'd like to suggest an excellent and inspiring film from the 80s called STAND AND DELIVER, starring Edward James Olmos. This was based on the true story of an inner-city LA teacher who challenged his predominantly hispanic, lower-class students to learn Advanced Placement Calculus. Also Allison Anders' MI VIDA LOCA/MY CRAZY LIFE, on latina women and gangs in East LA. John Singleton's BOYZ IN THE HOOD, on young black men and gangs in LA. BOYS ON THE SIDE, with Drew Barrymore, Whoopi Goldberg and Matthew McConaughy: a tragedy/comedy that deals with gay and straight women and also AIDS. ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.tcf.ua.edu/ScreenSite