sugarcubeeee This is definitely my favorite Disney Channel movie. It's a very sweet film about how big a deal people thought your race was a long time ago. This movie is so much better than the stupid musical crap Disney won't stop airing. This movie is actually based on true events as well, except instead of Mahree her name was Carrie I think. Next time this movie is on, which will probably be sometime during Black History Month, you really have to see it, whether for the first time or just for old times sake. Please, Disney, quit showing High School Musical and Camp Rock 10 times per month and put this and your other amazing 90's movies on more!!!!

P M Donovan (PMDonovan) This true story is a must see for all children and adults not only because it tries to teach important lessons about learning to live with, and value, people's differences, but because the story is told in a manner that is encourages questions between parents and children. The actors are both convincing and engaging and the location shots remarkable.I have watched this movie with my daughter several times since she was 5 years old and she is now 7. Each time she has asked questions about what people where doing and why. We discussed the whats and wondered about the whys; how people develop the attitudes and feelings of a South Africa. We also discussed how, in some respects, life in the U.S is the not that different from life in South Africa. She has learned that one needs to be aware of institutional racism (yes, at 7, my daughter knows what racism is) and to work to overcome it within oneself and where possible, in others.Off my soap box, this is a movie to be enjoyed for its art as well as its message.

Kevinisha Gordon (bigchief0418) This movie was touching and contained answers to a lot of questions. It had a lot to do with racism and what blacks had to go through, and how your parents have a strong impact on you and your decisions. Mahree Bok was kinda like a foreign exchange student except Piper the one who's home Mahree was going to be living in was not going to go to Mahree's home town. When Piper and her parents saw that she was white they were a bit shocked but they still accepted her. But Mahree on the other hand wasn't as acceptive as Piper and her family was of her because of the impact her parents had on her and how they never mixed her with blacks except with their maid. So she was kinda feeling out of place. But later on in the movie Mahree and Piper became good friends and Mahree started to feel more comfortable with Piper and her family. Until, back in South Africa Mahree's parents found out her cultural exchange family was black and they had a fit. Mahree didn't quite understand why her parents weren't understanding of her staying with a black family. And that is what I mean about Parents having an impact on you and your life. It is the way they raise you and what they teach you. Mahree didn't really understand why whites didn't like blacks and the reason for that is because they didn't teach her about things like that. She had to learn from her maid who was black. At the end of the movie when Mahree got home, she ran straight to her maid's room to tell her about her experience staying with blacks, and she was telling her about what happened with the blacks and whites not getting along, and her maid was explaining to her (with birds as an example) that she didn't understand why all people of all races couldn't come together like the birds in that cage. And in the very ending Mahree set all of the birds free, all the birds of all colors.

minimum Though I am by no means a fan of Ron Dellums, the congressman, this movie is excellent in that it shows how love, understanding, and education can overcome hatred, bigotry, and racism. We are all human beings before we are white, black, pink, or yellow. Being a made for TV movie has it's limitations, but I liked this one a lot. Worth watching.