Documentary “Race to Nowhere” shown at El Paso schools creates buzz

According to the documentary Americans are too hard on kids!

It claims they’re too stressed and over-worked, therefore, uninspired for college and the real world.

The documentary was shown during a PTA meeting at Wiggs Middle School.

The movie questions the nation’s educational system. Some students say they feel overwhelming pressure at home and at school.

“School is just so much pressure that every day I dread it,” one student says in the documentary.

“I’m afraid that our children are going to sue us for stealing their childhood,” says an adult.

Stephanie Otero, the mother of two children said

“I think it’s a movie that parents, faculty staff, administrators, district superintendents, anyone that has to do with young people in America, should see this film.”

Otero attended the Wiggs Middle School PTA and watched “Race to Nowhere.”

“The film is really about the pressure that young people feel at a younger and younger age to be successful and that everything they are doing is leading to whether or not they are getting into a great college and have a great job,” said Otero.

Otero tells ABC-7 she’s seen a shift in schools’ priorities throughout the years.

“It used to be kindergarten was about playing and numbers and Play-Doh and blocks and now it’s like you have to be able to read and if your kid doesn’t read ‘did I do something as a parent’,” said Otero.

The film also touches on the unintended consequences from the pressure students face.

The director of “Race to Nowhere,” Vicki Abele is a mother who saw her daughter face anxiety and ultimately physical distress.

Other parents shown in the film have seen more severe consequences such as suicide.

“The reason the film is called “Race to Nowhere” is it’s a quote from one of the students and he said he would do this and now you have to get to here and now you have to get to here and he said I felt like I was on a race to nowhere,” said Otero.

Otero tells ABC-7 many of the parents who saw the film with her were left with a clear message:

“You have to keep an eye on your kid. Earning trophies and getting perfect grades is not the only thing you praise your kids is for,” said Otero.

If you’re interested in watching the documentary you can order it at http://www.racetonowhere.com/