"Aesthetic Realism can change prejudice to kindness," says Ken Kimmelman, "because it criticizes contempt, and shows how we are, at every moment, in an aesthetic relation of sameness and difference to the world and all people. I learned to see people with depth—with feelings as real as mine—and also that every person's greatest, deepest desire is to like the world honestly. As a person and filmmaker, I am grateful for what I learned from Eli Siegel and Aesthetic Realism about the cause of and answer to prejudice." 

The NY Amsterdam News, "Anti-prejudice film has finger on pulse of racism"(12/23/95), reported: 

"The Heart Knows Better" is based on this powerful, kind statement by Eli Siegel: "It will be found that black and white man have the same goodnesses, the same temptations, and can be criticized in the same way. The skin may be different, but the aorta is quite the same." Aesthetic Realism can end prejudice because it criticizes contempt—as nothing else can—enabling people to see that feelings and hopes of others are as real as our own. 

Gordon Parks, photographer-filmmaker, said, "I see [this film], with its statement by Eli Siegel, as a powerful means of opposing prejudice and racism." Janice Cline, Lecturer in Cultural Diversity (CUNY) wrote: "It does effectively in one minute what every course in multicultural studies aims to do—it makes people kinder." Rev. Wayne J. Plumstead, Park United Methodist Church, Bloomfield, NJ said, "[It] needs to be seen by every man, woman, and child in America." 

Educators and community organizations use this film as a valuable resource. Recent screenings: to over 2200 Atlanta school children and teachers at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center; to students and faculty of NYC Technical College where Aesthetic Realism Consultant Ken Kimmelman spoke on "Prejudice Can End—The Aesthetic Realism of Eli Siegel Explains How!"; Manhasset Middle School; Downtown Community TV seminars; and to hundreds of New York State Employees at the 43rd annual Brotherhood Observance, at which Mr. Kimmelman was a guest speaker. 

Ken Kimmelman is a Consultant on the faculty of the Aesthetic Realism Foundation, a not-for-profit educational foundation at 141 Greene St., New York, NY 10012; (212) 777-4490. He produced films for the United Nations against prejudice and apartheid, won Newark Black Film Festival's Paul Robeson Award, Atlanta Film Festival's Director's Choice Award; 1992 and 1993 Emmy nominations.