Knowledge is Power: Watch These Films As Soon As Possible

Education is vital in understanding empathy and humanity within ourselves and our society. The world at the moment is relearning what that may mean. Unfortunately, most of the American school system does not teach enough about racial divides and injustices within the country’s history.

People have been left unknowing what is and has been occurring within their own states and communities. People cannot know what they do not know. This has left a larger divide between people of color and white people within America. Black Lives Matter is trending again and for extremely good reasons. It should not be a trend, but a constant reminder of what America needs to educate itself on.

Other than the protests and petitions surging forward to make social change, people are being urged to reeducate themselves on what they know. Education can be taken through different forms. Through the past few decades we have used movies and documentaries to educate ourselves from science to history.

Films can once again help rebuild education within us and our communities. Relearning must begin in taking action with ourselves as allies and friends. Understanding starts with taking that first step to see through different eyes than our own. Films and documentaries are a form to have that ability for a moment.

These are a list of films that can help start one's journey in understanding the racial injustices within America of the past century.

Just Mercy Photo Still Just Mercy (2019)

Based on actual events, a black lawyer moves to Alabama to help provide legal services to those on death row. We follow the story of a black man falsely accused of murder and learn about the racial injustices happening within the county.

Get Out (2017)

A horror film that follows a young black man who visits his white girlfriends home. A sense of unease unfurls itself as the film progresses and begins to show the true colors of her family.

Thirteenth (2016)

A documentary about the prison system within the United States and how it has developed through discrimination of race.

Moonlight (2016)

The film follows the life of Chiron and the struggles he faces everyday from childhood to adulthood as a black male in the south.

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Based on actual events, the film follows the last day of the life of Oscar Grant III, who was killed on New Year's Day 2009 by police.

The Hate U Give (2018)

The film depicts the aftermath of a fatal shooting of a black boy. The main protagonist, Starr, begins her advocacy against police violence in her neighborhood and beyond its borders.

Do the Right Thing (1989)

During a hot summer day in Brooklyn, we watch as bigotry, racism, and hate unfold within its neighborhood. The film ends in violence and a fatal ending.

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

A black police detective goes to Mississippi to investigate a death. During his investigation, he is accused of murder and finds both friend and foe as he searches for the truth.

Hidden Figures (2016)

Based on actual events, the film focuses on the black female mathematicians who helped launch forward the NASA Space Program in the 1960s.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

A free black man in 19th Century America, is wrongfully forced into slavery. The film follows the events of his life until he is finally released 12 years later.

Selma (2014)

Based on actual events, the film follows the protest marches that occurred between Selma and Montgomery for voting rights to black people.

Blackkklansman (2018)

Based on actual events, a black police officer in the 1970s moves to Colorado Springs and infiltrates the Klu Klux Klan.

Malcolm X (1992)

Based on actual events, the film follows the life of Malcolm X from his childhood, incarceration, conversion to Islam, and his involvement with the Nation of Islam.

Fences (2016)

Based on the play written by August Wilson, we learn about the dreams and realities of a black family in 1950s Pittsburgh.

The Color Purple (1985)

The film follows the life of a southern black woman as she struggles with an abusive father, family separation, and survival in the early 1900s.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (1967)

A white woman brings her fiancé to dinner with her parents. Only until they arrive, do the parents find out he is black, which sparks tensions and conversations about interracial marriage.

Loving (2016)

Based on true events, we follow an interracial couple’s struggles to pass a law to enable legality of their marriage across all States.

These films are a starting tool to help grasp why these protests are happening. The more educated we are with our histories, the more likely we are not to repeat it. We may learn from our mistakes in order to strive for a better future. A better future that includes black lives in the conversation.

You may ask, "Which film do I start with?" Each journey is different when we educate ourselves about black history and racial injustices. There is no wrong way to start educating ourselves on the racial injustices occurring within America.

It's a long road to walk to relearn everything you may have thought you knew, so it starts with a small step. What matters is that we take that step.

More information for educating yourself can be found at https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co