BOSTON PUBLIC: CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas that explore the tempestuous relationships between the jaded administration and the precocious student body of a volatile public high school in Boston.
Miss Cooke begins to suspect that one of her students, Natalie Stone, may be homeless. Several of Mr. Hanson's students start a fight when two of them start using the n-word, forcing Mr. Hanson to break it up. Once the situation is explained to him, Hanson decides to hold a class discussion about the use of the n-word. One of the students, Andre, feels that only black people should be able to say the word, but Hanson argues that by analyzing and understanding the word and its intent and context, they can "take away its power." He assigns them to read a recently published book about the subject written by a Harvard law professor.
Mr. Lipschultz gets a complaint from a student named Mason Richards, claiming that his letter of recommendation prevented his acceptance to Amherst, his first-choice college. Lipschultz admits that he called Mason a "delinquent" in his letter. Miss Cooke asks Natalie about her living situation, but Natalie is evasive. Marla confronts Hanson about his recent class discussions; she is disgusted with his open attitude about it and argues that it is "hostile in any context." When Hanson refuses to back down she takes the matter to Principal Harper.
Mason's parents complain to Guber about Amherst's refusal to accept him and may threaten legal action. They claim Lipschultz has a grudge against Mason for playing a prank on him one time and that Mason never requested a letter of recommendation from Lipschultz. Hanson leads further discussions about the use of n-word and his class seems genuinely interested and eager to participate. They discuss the issue of cultural responsibility and racial relations before Principal Harper walks in on the class, looking upset.
It turns out that Lipschultz was asked by his friend on the Amherst admissions board to writer letters of recommendation for students applying to the college. He explains to Guber that he felt compelled to be honest and that Mason's letter outlined both his positive and negative qualities. Miss Cooke and Mr. Senate track down Natalie, living with her mother out of an old van. Harper wants Hanson to stop his class discussions, as he is afraid of stirring up controversy. When Hanson argues the legitimacy of the material, Harper replies that he simply doesn't like the word and threatens to fire him.
Natalie explains to Cooke that her mother was laid off and then forced out of her home by her housemates; they've been homeless for about a year. She does not want to be placed in a foster home, as her brother is in one and she never gets to see him. Her mother is schizophrenic and she feels she needs to take care of her. She gets Cooke to promise not to tell the other kids about her homelessness and promises to get a job once she graduates. Cooke wants to take in Natalie but Guber refuses, saying it is against school policy and that the teachers are not there to interfere with students' personal lives. However, he recommends a transitional housing shelter that might be able to help. Guber meets with Mason's parents again, this time accompanied by their lawyer. They believe that if they get Lipschultz to rescind his letter, Mason will be guaranteed entry into Amherst. Guber stands by Lipschultz's letter, claiming that it represents the integrity of the school.
Hanson attempts to get his class back to their regular curriculum, but they all read the book he assigned and want to continue their discussion. Despite Harper's threat, Hanson leads further discussions about the n-word. Natalie doesn't want to be placed in transitional housing but Cooke convinces her to try it. Harper learns that Hanson is continuing his discussions and meets with Marla and Marilyn to discuss whether Hanson should be fired or not. Marilyn thinks Hanson's discussions have some merit, but Marla delivers an impassioned speech claiming that the n-word has "always stood for hatred" and continues to do so, and that Hanson must be fired for bringing it up.
The shelter calls Social Services, who take Natalie's mother away from her, claiming she is an unfit mother. Natalie is worried about what will happen to her mother if she isn't there to care for her, and Cooke promises to help her and sets up a meeting with Social Services. Hanson's class signs a petition asking that he be allowed to keep his job. During her meeting, Cooke all but threatens the Social Services representative, who says they have a foster family ready to take in Natalie. They have deemed Mrs. Stone an unfit mother due to her lack of a home and sporadic access to her medication due to low funds. Cooke writes a check giving them enough to afford a few months in a motel, which is enough to qualify as housing for Social Services and prevent them from being taken away.
Guber calls Lipschultz into his office and they discuss the situation with Mason Richards. Guber informs him that he publicly expressed doubts about his judgment to the Amherst officials, and that his personal opinion of Lipschultz cannot interfere with the school's operation. Lipschultz asks if he should quit teaching; Guber doesn't know and Lipschultz solemnly remarks that he is growing old. Harper calls Hanson into his office, noting that he has a no-tolerance policy when it comes to the n-word. When Hanson argues that his students have a right to explore the word's significance, Harper snaps and yells that Hanson can never understand the word because he's never been at the receiving end of it. Hanson replies that even if Harper stops him from teaching it the students will still have questions, and won't challenge any decision Harper makes.
Cooke wonders if she did the right thing with Natalie, but Natalie arrives and promises to pay her back. She goes on to say that she wants to go to college, and that she considers Cooke to be her role model. Cooke is moved to tears by this sentiment. Harper speaks to Hanson's class, informing them that he has not been fired. The episode ends as he leads the class in discussion about the book Hanson assigned. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: FOX
- DATE: February 25, 2002 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:45:06
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:76437
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: Fox - TV series, 2000-2004
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jonathan Pontell … Executive Producer
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Mike Listo … Co-Executive Producer, Director
- Kerry Lenhart … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
- John J. Sakmar … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
- Jeremy Miller … Producer
- Daniel Cohn … Producer
- Peter Burrell … Producer
- Philip Neel … Producer
- Sean Whitesell … Co-Producer, Writer
- Chuck Conway … Associate Producer
- Douglas Steinberg … Consulting Producer
- Danny Lux … Music by
- Thomas Newman … Theme Music by
- Jessalyn Gilsig … Cast, Lauren Davis
- Chi McBride … Cast, Steven Harper
- Anthony Heald … Cast, Scott Guber
- Nicky Katt … Cast, Harry Senate
- Loretta Devine … Cast, Marla Hendricks
- Sharon Leal … Cast, Marilyn Sudor
- Jeri Ryan … Cast, Ronnie Cooke
- Michael Rapaport … Cast, Danny Hanson
- Fyvush Finkel … Cast, Harvey Lipschultz
- Kimberlee Peterson … Cast, Natalie Stone
- Tamara Bass … Cast, Debbie Nixon
- Aldis Hodge … Cast, Andre
- Cathy Lind Hayes … Cast, Mrs. Stone
- Stuart Stone … Cast, Jordan Murphy
- Joel Anderson … Cast, Mr. Richards
- Daniel Nathan Spector … Cast, Joshua Campbell
- Monique Edwards … Cast, Ellen Rausch
- China Jesusita Shavers … Cast, Brooke Harper
- DeJuan Guy … Cast, J.T.
- Kate Johnson … Cast, Tami
- Matt Casper … Cast, Mason
- Amy Warner … Cast, Mrs. Richards
- Troy Ruptash … Cast