When We Were Colored is a 1996 American period drama film directed by Tim Reid and starring Al Freeman Jr., Phylicia Rashad and Leon.

His biological mother was too young to take care of him and was not able to provide Cliff with financial support therefore he was raised by his extended family.

As the film progresses, it is known that Cliff lives in a low-income, rural place where almost every adult is a laborer, most commonly a field worker.

Also, the majority of the people living in this small town are part of a Christian church where at times they come together and unite to stay strong against the social injustices placed upon them.

As the film progresses even more, the audience has the chance to see Cliff grow up into a hard-working young man with positive aspirations of becoming more educated.

The fact that Cliff enjoys reading great classics and strives to excel in school shows that he does want to make a positive change in himself and in society.