Something to Cheer About

“Betsy’s documentary celebrates a victory over much more than just rival teams.” ~New York Times

Something to Cheer About isn’t just about basketball, it’s about not letting someone else’s behavior determine your own. In the 1950s, this team of young black men did what elected officials and school systems opposed, through sports they brought the black and white communities together—a message we need more than ever today.

In 2000, I set out to make a film honoring my dad, Richard Blankenbaker. He died unexpectedly in 1988 after a massive stroke that slowly took his life away in just a few days. He was at work as Indianapolis Public Safety Director when he started having symptoms and was quickly taken in an ambulance to the hospital. Over the next few days, several strokes quickly took him piece by piece.

I hadn’t planned on making a film but after a visit to see my dad’s friend Ray Crowe in 1999, I realized even though many had written the story about the 1955-56 Crispus Attucks High School championship teams, we had never heard it from the people who lived it. During that visit, Ray said to me, “Your dad was my best friend.”

I made the film to honor their friendship and also honor two men who did the right thing in their community, who used their lives to lift others up. If someone made a movie about your life, what would the title be?

As a gift to paid subscribers, you can watch Something to Cheer About right here on my Substack.

Thank you for being here. Every Wednesday, I offer a writing prompt for paid subscribers to Substack. The first Wednesday of every month I offer the prompt to all Substack subscribers. This week your paid subscription also includes access to watch, Something to Cheer About, a documentary about the first all-black team to win a high school state championship.