Photo credit: The Granger Collection, New York

Good Views: Paper Clips

Posted February 4, 2010

As a passionate moviegoer and movie blog critic, Regions associate Bret Pippen shares his take on good films.

SIX MILLION. That’s a big number that is hard for most people to fully comprehend. Now, take that number and try to understand that it represents the number of Jews that were systematically murdered by the Nazis during World War II.

In the small town of Whitwell, Tennessee, in 1998 they came face to face with trying to understand this tragedy of human history. Teachers had decided to develop classes to help their middle schools students understand the value of diversity and tolerance.

They decided to focus their efforts on educating their students about the Holocaust. At some point, when they were told that six million men, women and children had been murdered during the Holocaust, a student asked: “How much is six million? What does six million look like?” Excellent question.

To help illustrate what six million looks like, the students did their research and found that Norwegians had worn paper clips on their lapels as a sign of unity with their Jewish brothers and sisters. So they decided to collect six million paper clips.

The 2004 documentary, Paper Clips, directed by Joe Fab and Elliot Berlin chronicles their efforts to do exactly that and it tells the inspiring story of ordinary people being driven to do extraordinary things.

The documentary does exactly what a documentary is supposed to do – turn on the camera and get out of the way. The story of the Whitwell Paper Clip project is so inspiring, poignant and unbelievable that it actually does tell the story on its own.

In this wonderful story, you will meet middle school principle Linda Hooper and teachers Sandra Roberts and David Smith. Plus, you get to meet many of the students that made this entire project possible.

More remarkably, you witness how a single paper clip can become such an important and personal symbol of a love lost.

comments (13)

I actually have this video and it truly is a beautiful and inspiring story. If you have a chance...rent it and share it with your family!

Gail

I am happy to say that the Gunbarrel branch in Chattanooga helped contribute to the Whitwell School paperclip collection. A relative of one of the teachers was a regular drive-thru customer, and we would give the extra paperclips we collected to her for the school project. I highly recommend the film.

Teresa Baierl

Many thanks for sharing this story.

Evan

It should inspire us as adults when we read this story to go back and crack open a book to find out what has happened in history during our lifetime. We would probably be amazed at the changes that have taken place and would be more knowledgable about our future. If we do not know about the past events, we may repeat them unwittingly. If we look at the random acts of violence going on today, we may see a bleak horizon for ourselves if we do not act to stop them.

Judy Bates

I am so glad you watched this movie and wrote a piece on it! I find the message in this movie so inspiring. It warms the heart for sure! And to Teresa, how lucky you are to be able to say your branch played a part in this amazing story!

Christa

What an inspirational story! I love reading See the Good. The news is so full of negative information this helps to counteract it. I'm going to find this documentary and share it with my friends&family; as a reminder that a few can make a big impact on our world for good.

sandra britt

Last night I watched the history on Hitler rising to power and a German man's account of the swastika showing up everywhere when he was a young boy and the British and American troops leveling Hamburg and people dying- so many people- it is so hard to comprehend- I pray for the lives lost in that tragedy.

Jennifer Erin Marston

Since seeing this film shortly after its release, I carry a paper clip in my wallet to this day to remind me of what suffering they endured. Great story!

Chris VanCleave

I have visited the school in Whitwell, Tennessee, taken a tour guided by students, and it is amazing to see what they have done. There is also a boxcar located at the school that was used in transporting the Jewish people. Once you step inside this car, you cannot believe the feeling that comes over you.

Bob Hamrick

I have seen the film and was just in awe of the school's commitment to it's students and teachers. It is amazing what can be accomplished when we all work together. As an employee of just over a year, I'm glad Regions (Gunbarrel) was able to contribute.

Katherine

What a great story to share, as a mom of 3 boys I am always looking to educate them on true history as so much of the younger generation can't comprehend such travesty. I am definitely going to rent this.

Jennifer Zappa

Thank you for sharing. It is another reminder to teach our children history, so we are not doomed to repeat it. I am renting Paper Clips to watch with my family tonight.

Paula

This was very informative. People need to know these kinds of things. Thanks for sharing.

Jazmine Davis