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The idea for SKIN DEEP came about in the late 1980's when Frances Reid, the producer / director, noticed a dramatic increase in the number of racial incidents at colleges and universities across the country. Twenty-five years after the Civil Rights Movement racism and racial tension seemed to be very much alive in this country. Maybe less overt, but very much alive. After gathering newspaper clippings documenting the increase in racial violence and tension, we decided to do some interviews. It immediately became clear that a scratch beneath the skin of supposedly successful "multicultural" and "diversity" programs revealed some very painful experiences and deep wounds. If racism was a thing of the past, then how come so many individuals were being scarred by its nasty presence everyday? And this was especially disheartening on college campuses, our institutions of higher education where learning and open-mindedness were theoretically encouraged. As we interviewed students we were told over and over again that they felt unable to speak out. Their tongues were tied because there was no where to discuss problems and no one wanted to acknowledge the ugly reality of racism on campuses. Many students, both white and students of color, told us they were afraid to speak up because if they did they might be misinterpreted or seen as complainers. There was no place safe or constructive for dialogue.