Produced by Ken Kimmelman of Imagery Film, Ltd., the Emmy award-winning 60-second public service film THE HEART KNOWS BETTER addresses racial prejudice. It is based on the philosophy Aesthetic Realism, whose founder, American poet and critic Eli Siegel, showed that contempt-- the "disposition in every person to think he will be for himself by making less of the outside world" is at the heart of, is the cause of prejudice."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."

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

THE HEART KNOWS BETTER has been stirring people worldwide. It was shown for Human Rights Day in Geneva by the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights in December 2001. Major TV stations broadcast it nationally, including CNN, BRAVO, and ESPN in South America, Australia, Mexico, Asia. It has played in theatres and professional sports organizations--the NY Yankees show it at every home game. At the Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary Celebration at Shea Stadium it received a rousing ovation. The U.S. Armed Forces Radio/Television Services has aired it in 58 countries; South Africa's Communication Service uses it in youth programs. In Atlanta it aired at the summer Olympics RIO video wall, and was seen by over 2200 children at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center.

Gordon Parks, photographer & filmmaker, said, "I see [this film], with its statement by Eli Siegel, as a powerful means of opposing prejudice and racism."  Rev. Wayne J. Plumstead, Park United Methodist Church, Bloomfield, NJ, said, "[It] needs to be seen by every man, woman, and child in America." At Boston University it was part of Mr. Kimmelman's Keynote address to 700 community service students in August 2003. His talk "The Heart Knows Better: Changing Prejudice to Kindness" has been presented to enthusiastic audiences of children, parents, and teachers at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Queens Borough Public Library, and at public schools in the NYC metropolitan area. With his colleagues Dr. Arnold Perey and Dr. Jaime Torres he conducted the workshop: "Prejudice Can End--Aesthetic Realism Explains How!"at the Campus Outreach Opportunity League conference at Harvard University. 

Ken Kimmelman is a Consultant on the faculty of the Aesthetic Realism Foundation, a not-for-profit educational foundation at 141 Greene St., NYC 10012; 212-777-4490 (www.AestheticRealism.org). He produced films against racism for the United Nations; was inducted in 2002 into the African Hall of Fame; won Newark Black Film Festival's Paul Robeson Award, Atlanta Film Festival's Director's Choice Award; an Emmy Award for his contributions to Sesame Street. His award-winning public service film against homelessness and hunger "What Does a Person Deserve?"--endorsed by the National Coalition for the Homeless, and others--is showing in movie theatres and on TV, including CNN.

"The Heart Knows Better" is on film and video.