Whitewash is a 1994 special show on American television channel HBO Family based on a true story. It was released onto video by HBO Kids Video and distributed by First Run Features

First Run Features

First Run Features is an independent film distribution company based in New York City. First Run was founded in 1979 by a group of filmmakers in order to advance the distribution of independent film...

 as well. The program was produced and directed by Michael Sporn with a screenplay by Ntozake Shange. Ruby Dee and Linda Lavin provide voices for the animated characters.

Plot

This special uses animation

Animation

Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...

 to tell the story of a young black girl's encounter with racism

Racism

Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...

. On their way home from school, Helene and her brother are attacked by a group of white thugs who beat him up and spray-paint her face white. With the help of her grandmother, Helene is able to get over her hurt and get on with her life. However, nothing gets resolved.