BROOKINGS, SD - The public is invited to a showing and discussion about the Community Common Read film “Pride” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Brookings Cinema 8 theater. The film depicts how Jim Ellis formed Philadelphia’s first all-Black swim team and saved an inner-city recreation center slated for destruction. The showing is free and will be followed by a discussion. 

The event is sponsored by the Brookings Human Rights Commission in conjunction with South Dakota State University (SDSU) as part of the Campus and Community Common Read experience. 

The film’s story takes place in 1974 when life is not easy for a Black man to find employment, even college-educated Jim Ellis. While struggling to find anything better, Jim, a former competitive swimmer, is working on the decrepit Marcus Foster Recreation Center in a poor neighborhood of Philadelphia. His job is to prepare the foreclosure of the Center, causing friction with Elston, the janitor whose job may disappear. The Center includes a dilapidated swimming pool, which Ellis rehabilitates. One day, Jim invites a group of black teens in for a swim. Andre, Hakim, Reggie, Puddin’ Head, and Walt prove to be fairly capable swimmers and with a few pointers, could become great swimmers. In parallel, Jim develops a romantic interest in Hakim's sister and guardian who wants him to attend school before pool.

With some help from Elston, Jim decides to try to save the swimming pool by starting the city's first all African-American swim team, the "PDR team" for both Pride, Determination, Resilience and Philadelphia Department of Recreation. Once they are joined by Willie, a female swimmer more talented than any of the boys, the prospects of competing against much more experienced white teams begin to improve. However, Black swimmers are not welcome everywhere and the team has to fight overtly racist opposition and treachery, which is what Jim already experienced when he was competing 10 years ago. Throughout their struggles in and out of the swimming pool, Jim and Elston encourage and mentor the kids, helping them not only to become successful at swimming but also in their struggles against prejudice, crime, and poverty.

The Campus and Community Common Read initiative is designed to bring together people from campus and the Brookings community to learn, discuss and engage a singular, impactful book and associated themes. This year’s Common Read book is “Crossing the Line” by Kareem Rosser. The author is the speaker for this year’s Griffith Honors Forum Lecture at South Dakota State University on Nov. 1.