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What to watch this Black History Month Film and TV Editors Charlotte Grimwade and Grace Marshall give their recommendations for Black History Month By Charlotte Grimwade
By Grace Marshall
n my opinion, film and television are potentially some of the best and most accessible ways to learn about different cultures, identities and history. As a history student, I for one know that films have the incredible ability of capturing contemporary attitudes and mindsets, regardless of whether they are depicting true or fictional stories. My recommendations happen to be set around the same time period, yet all of them continue to raise vital questions about our modern-day perceptions of race and social injustices. Even if you only watch one of the films or shows explored in this article, I hope they provide you with greater insight into the continued importance of Black History Month.
s we enter Black History Month, it is imperative that we broaden our knowledge of such history – no longer can we simply accept brief knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr as wholly encompassing of Black history. It is time, instead, to learn about, and celebrate, the all-too often unsung champions of such history. Films such as, The Help and 12 Years a Slave attempt to capture the torturous past of Black history, challenging overt racism, slavery, and disenfranchisement, yet they fail to celebrate the rich, powerful accompanying Black history that contributed to the most important advancements in society. This is precisely why my first recommendation for this month is Hidden Figures – a powerful acknowledgement of the contribution of Black women to America’s self-determined ‘space-race win’. A 2016 biographical drama, Hidden Figures celebrates the real work of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson – three powerhouses dedicated to their work at NASA, all the while battling the discriminatory attitudes of the institution on two fronts: gender and race. Brought to the big screen by Taraji P. Henderson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe respectively, the film is both awe-inspiring and gritty, managing to celebrate these successful, and integral, women in STEM, whilst simultaneously exploring their plight to achieve recognition for their invaluable contribution to the early years of the US space race.
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One of the most impactful and important films of the year, if not the decade Directed by Spike Lee, Do the Right Thing depicts one sweltering day in Brooklyn, following the life of protagonist Mookie, played by Lee himself. Released in 1989, the film was credited by many as being one of the most impactful and important films of the year, if not the decade. Over the course of the film, we are witness to the casual racism, discrimination and prejudice prevalent in this small neighbourhood alone. Originally inspired by the racially motivated murders of Michael Griffith and Eleanor Bumpurs, the film doesn’t shy away from depicting police brutality and the rage it righteously incites. The deeply moving subject matter is contrasted by the colourful set design and stunning cinematography, encapsulating the heat of New York in the summer. One of my favourite television dramas from the last few years, Pose follows the ball culture scene of 1980s and 1990s New York. The show’s predominantly African American and Latinx cast contend with the drama of the underground ballroom scene, as well as the discrimination and challenges they experience throughout everyday life. Mj Rodriguez and Billy Porter shine as the immensely likeable Blanca and Pray Tell. Alongside the show’s loveable characters and well-developed plot lines, the series also depicts real life events, including the AIDs crisis and the harrowing impact it had on the LGBTQ+ community. The series strikes the perfect balance between depictions of real-life events and drama, culminating in a plot that is both enjoyable and historically informative.
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A stark reminder of the inequalities built into the justice system It is impossible to ignore the ongoing systemic racism faced by people of colour across the world. And so, as we celebrate Black History Month, we may also wish to solemnly acknowledge that striving for equality is not solely a thing of the past. When They See Us, a poignant Netflix drama contributing to their Black Lives Matter series, is a heart-breaking reminder of this. Released in 2019, the series tells the tale of ‘The Central Park Five’, a group of five young men of colour wrongly accused and imprisoned for an attack on a young woman. The show is truly phenomenal, yet utterly devastating. It serves as a stark reminder of the inequalities built into the justice system itself and thus reinforces the need for continued work to dismantle such built-in prejudices.
Image credit: Rosie Bromiley Thursday, 28 October 2021
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