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Race Is a Four-Letter Word

2006 55 min
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In this personal documentary, director Sobaz Benjamin introduces us to an interesting group of people: a black woman who wants to be considered iconically Canadian, a white man who is culturally and psychologically black, and a black woman who decides to leave “Canada’s racial cold war.” He also exposes himself, a black man who grew up trying to bleach his skin. In the end, Race Is a Four-Letter Word teaches us that the soul has no colour. Yet, we also learn that race is a marathon we are all forced to run.

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This work contains scenes of nudity and/or sexuality. Viewer discretion is advised.
Race Is a Four-Letter Word

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In this personal documentary, director Sobaz Benjamin introduces us to an interesting group of people: a black woman who wants to be considered iconically Canadian, a white man who is culturally and psychologically black, and a black woman who decides to leave “Canada’s racial cold war.” He also exposes himself, a black man who grew up trying to bleach his skin. In the end, Race Is a Four-Letter Word teaches us that the soul has no colour. Yet, we also learn that race is a marathon we are all forced to run.

This work contains scenes of nudity and/or sexuality. Viewer discretion is advised.
  • participant
    Doris Braithwaite
    Tim Dunn
    Diane Rutherford
    Camille Turner
  • writer
    Sobaz Benjamin
  • director
    Sobaz Benjamin
  • producer
    Annette Clarke
  • cinematography
    Kent Nason
  • editor
    Marke Slipp
  • story editor
    Marke Slipp
  • consultant
    Cheryl Foggo
    Barry Stevens
    Jason Young
  • sound recordist
    Aram Kouyoumdjian
  • grip
    Kevin MacNeil
  • production supervisor
    Patricia Coughran
  • additional photography
    Kyle Cameron
  • additional sound
    John Rosborough
    Alex Salter
  • stills photography
    George Steeves
    Julé Malet-Veale
    Nance Ackerman
  • production manager trainee
    Lillian Loppie
  • original music composer
    Asif Illyas
  • archival research
    Elizabeth Klinck
  • post-production supervisor
    Roz Power
  • graphic design
    Roz Power
  • technical coordinator
    Patricia Coughran
  • sound editor
    Alex Salter
  • online editor
    Steve Cook
  • mixer
    Geoffrey Mitchell
  • transcription services
    Lisa Clarke
    Bonnie Druhan
  • studio clerk
    Stephanie Coolen
    Vanessa Larsen
  • marketing manager
    Amy Stewart Gallant
    Philip Moscovitch
  • centre administrator
    John William Lutz
  • executive producer
    Kent Martin

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Education

Ages 14 to 17
Study Guide
School subjects
If there is a diversity of race in the classroom, have students discuss their own backgrounds with regards to race. If the classroom is more homogeneous, study racial-equality issues in Canada’s history. The website Black History Canada () profiles many important figures in Canadian history. Have students write about a particular incident from the point of view of one of these figures.
Race Is a Four-Letter Word
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Licencing information

Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.