S8.E9 ∙ New Harvest, Old Shame

Original footage of speeches, campaigns and presentations delivered during Senator Ted Kennedy's 46 plus years in the United States Senate. Includes: Eulogy for Robert F. Kennedy, Democratic National Convention 1980, Dedicating JFK Library, Debating Minimum Wage Increase Bill, Addressing Students at M.I.T., Campaigning for Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention 2008 and more.

A post Civil War America in shambles desperately needed revitalization, stimulation of the economy began through the rise of an industrial forward America through manufacturing opportunities. Rich ore deposits in the area attracted industrial interests, and in 1906 U.S. Steel purchased a mining camp in West field Alabama from the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company. In order to maintain a strong base of labor, U.S. Steel designed an extraordinary 'company town' for its African-American workers. West field Village, as it was called, provided schools, churches, health care, commissary and recreational facilities. Not only did a job at the steel mine provide homes and a sense of security, but it engendered a generation of African Americans for the working world.

A 19-year-old college student struggles with the decision whether or not she should stay quiet or report her sexual assault to the school.

A first-person examination of racism and micro aggression in interracial dating from the perspective of gay black men.

Ellen Ratner, the award-winning journalist and philanthropist, defies easy description but never shies away from lending a strong opinion as a fierce advocate of free speech and social justice.

Following his calling from God, Patrick McFarlane finds himself homeless, living out of the back of his truck with two wiener dogs. In complete desperation, he places an ad on Craigslist, after his seven year journey to donate a kidney remains unfulfilled. An extremely touching true story of altruism, 'The Perfect Match' documents kidney donor, Patrick McFarlane, through his personal obstacles and modern societal challenges on his path to find a donor program that will accept him, and ultimately find a kidney recipient that will be a perfect match. Regret and redemption are interwoven with Patrick's remarkable ability to laugh at himself and his amazing perseverance in achieving his goal, no matter the cost. This film also explores the themes of medical politics, friendship, religion, and the societal bias that is sometimes placed on us as individuals when we are different than the norm. This film provokes questions regarding our complicated organ donation system and the realities of non-directed donors. It also forces us to take a personal look at one self, and our willingness to save a stranger's life, and the possible societal judgments of those who would. It asks the question of how sane is sane and just because we are different, or have redemption issues, or any other motive, does it make the gift of donation any less powerful or acceptable? I am honored to have documented the incredibly dedicated, emotional journey and heart felt true story of Patrick Mcfarlane, kidney donor, Christian, human, homeless man, father, leader, and hero.