Film Poster for Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round. A young girl with black hair and blue floral dress looking out a window towards a merry-go-round.

AIN'T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUND - JEWISH STORY PARTNERS (FREE SCREENING)

Trailblazing Black students, bold Jewish suburbanites, and a carousel: An untold story of the Civil Rights Movement

AIN'T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUND - JEWISH STORY PARTNERS (FREE SCREENING)

Name: AIN'T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUND - JEWISH STORY PARTNERS (FREE SCREENING)
Brand: Trailblazing Black students, bold Jewish suburbanites, and a carousel: An untold story of the Civil Rights Movement
Availability: InStock

BEST DOCUMENTARY - DC Black Film Festival, San Antonio Black Film Festival | AUDIENCE AWARD - Boston Jewish Film Festival | BUILDING BRIDGES AWARD - Atlanta Jewish Film Festival | "an absolutely fabulous story, very well told" - Ann Hornaday, Washington Post Radio

Black-Jewish Partnership • Interracial Coalition-Building • White Allyship • Student Activism • Nonviolent Protest • Segregation in Recreation • Labor and Civil Rights

When five Black college students sat on a segregated Maryland carousel in 1960, their arrests made headlines. When the Jewish community near Glen Echo Amusement Park joined the protest, a history-making interracial demonstration was born. The cause, and the collaboration, provoked counterprotests by the American Nazi party, and brought Congressmen and national leaders to the picket line. Picketing together led to partying together, union organizers mentored student activists, and ten 1961 Freedom Riders emerged, including Stokely Carmichael. With never-before-seen footage, and immersive storytelling by Emmy Award-winning director Ilana Trachtman, four living protesters rescue this untold story, revealing the price, and the power, of heeding the impulse to activism.

Ann Hornaday, Film Critic, WPYR
"An absolutely fabulous story, very well told ... You're watching these young people have their consciousnesses changed. It's really thrilling."

Dana R. Fisher, Director, Center for Environment, Community, & Equity and Professor, American University
"...more relevant today than ever before. It shows solidarity in action and helps us understand how local struggles that build on community can have a huge impact."

Dr. Clarence Taylor, Professor Emeritus, Baruch College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York
"This little-known chapter in American history demonstrates the pivotal role those ordinary citizens played in the struggle for racial justice."

Ayanna Khan, President, Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce
"...a transformative centerpiece of our 2025 Juneteenth Celebration. The film’s emotional depth and historical insight sparked powerful conversations and left a lasting impact on our audience. It was an unforgettable experience that helped us honor the spirit of Juneteenth in every way."

Tracy Oliver-Gary, K-12 Social Studies Supervisor, Montgomery County Public Schools
“...a must-see documentary because of its historical and contemporary implications. The documentary shows the power of people uniting against hate to forge equality... Students, parents, and school system employees need to see it so they can understand... how individuals put aside their differences to help create a world in which everyone's humanity is respected."

Natalie Johnson, Middle School Cultural Studies Integrator, The Philadelphia School
“...connects and brings to life our 7th grade curriculum in a unique and beautiful way….Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round was simply perfect. I'm confident our students won't forget it.”

Christian Sullivan, Head of School, Bullis School
"...a powerful story about our shared humanity, collective action, and the pursuit of human rights. Bringing it into our school community created an opportunity for teachers to reflect on their own pedagogy, while also giving students space to consider the challenges of today and the importance of working together. It was a meaningful reminder of the power of collective action and the strength that comes from alliances across communities.”

Mondaire Jones, Former Congressman, Member of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and CNN Contributor
"This is one of the best, most compelling, and well-done documentaries I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. It is required viewing in these challenging times.”

Jamie Raskin, Congressman, Maryland's 8th District
“An important and landmark achievement . . stirring and thrilling”

James L. Stowe, Director, Montgomery County Office of Human Rights
“...puts meaning to the nation’s vision of its democracy.”

AWARDS
Building Bridges Award | Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Audience Award | Boston Jewish Film Festival
Best Documentary Feature | DC Black Film Festival
Best Documentary | San Antonio Black Film Festival
Women in Film Award | St. Louis International Film Festival

For a list of public screenings, please visit the Screenings page: https://www.aintnoback.com/screenings

Jewish Story Partners Viewer Discussion Guide