Welcome to Shelbyville (2009) Examines the Emotions Behind Changing Demographics
Opening with an ESL/American civics class on the eve of the 2008 presidential elections, Welcome to Shelbyville makes its television debut on Independent Lens (PBS) Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 10:00 p.m. (check local listings); the documentary is also available on DVD. It focuses on the fears and apprehensions of both long-term residents and recent immigrants who express concerns (and joys) about Shelbyville’s (Tennessee) rapidly changing demographics.
The changes Shelbyville is experiencing are seen in the context of the election of America’s first African American president. The largely black and white population of Shelbyville were adapting to an influx of Latinos when hundreds of Somali Muslim refugees began moving into town. Welcome to Shelbyville explores the evolution of racism (in Shelbyville, African Americans were the victims until Latinos arrived and took their place; when the Somalians arrived they became the target of racist fears and passions).
One Shelbyville resident described the town as “the buckle of the Bible Belt” (the Bible belt apparently has many buckles--many towns claim the title), and Welcome to Shelbyville includes footage of religious and civic groups meeting, pastors delivering sermons, and prayerful residents. Brian Mosely, a local reporter who had written articles unfavorable to the Somalians, is seen at a meeting with residents—both longtime and new immigrants who wished to meet with him to discuss misconceptions he may have. Views expressed throughout Welcome to Shelbyville range from intolerance to hopefulness, with many emphasizing that we are all people, regardless of race.
One of the issues that divides the community is jobs. In a shaky economy, longtime residents are threatened by a wave of immigrants with whom they must compete for employment. Featured in the documentary are a number of activities designed to have a positive impact on Shelbyvillians: a “Community Unity” night brings residents together in an effort to dispel prejudice, a cottage party unites women of all races who hope to gain a better understanding of cultural differences and commonalities, and a teacher brings Somalian students from her adult education class to a Tennessee Walking Horse exposition.
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