NIU’s Film Library has stocked its shelves with about 50 educational films on prejudice, discrimination and race relations.

The films are for use by faculty and staff members, but students can check them out if they have permission from a faculty member. Check_out is on a first_come, first_serve basis with 24 hours advance notice and for a maximum of five days, said Film Library clerk Mitra Mohabbat.

The most popular film is “Bill Cosby on Prejudice,” Mohabbat said. The film is a monologue in which Cosby portrays every type of bigot there is, said Black Student Union President Chris O’Banner. It displays different “perspectives on how ignorant people can be,” O’Banner said.

Other films featured are “Where is Prejudice?” in which 12 college students of different races and faiths candidly show participation in a week_long workshop to test their common denial that they are prejudiced.

“Freedom to speak: People of New York vs. Irving Feiner,” is a case study which examines and investigates basic freedom of expression in an incident of a college student convicted of disorderly conduct. The film follows with an analysis of majority and dissenting opinions of the justices.

A film that demonstrates how stereotypes are created, reinforced and often used to rationalize exploitation is “Strangers and Kin”. The film traces the evolution of the “hillbilly” image, through Hollywood films, news reports and entertainment.

The films might not depict racism so it can be fully understood, but it presents a perspective that would not normally be present, O’Banner said.

Department chairs and office directors have a complete list of the films or for more information call the Film Library at 753-9254.