9 minute read
Music (page 6), Film and TV (page
from Indigo 843
by Palatinate
film@palatinate.org.uk
What to watch this Black History Month
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Film and TV Editors Charlotte Grimwade and Grace Marshall give their recommendations for Black History Month
By Charlotte Grimwade By Grace Marshall
In 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.
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. As 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.
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.
creative.writing@palatinate.org.uk
Using Our Voices
Michaela Makusha writes a letter of gratitude and recognition to the black women who came before for this black history month
TW: Mentions of racial violence
Celebrating Black Women this Black History Month
Dear Black Women, Thank you. Thank you for paving the way for me to be able to sit at this university and write this letter to you all. Our mothers, grandmothers and aunties are the very backbones of revolutions that look for equality for all.
To our aunties and mothers who are still fighting for change, thank you. To Baroness Lawrence, whose son Stephen was taken away too soon, and who used that to fuel a movement exposing the systemic racism of the police force.
To Diane Abbott, who fought her own party to get elected. She paved the way for black women in politics by showing it was possible to win an election despite every party, including her own, working to stop her. I thank you for showing us perseverance and strength.
To Claudia Jones, who didn’t let political persecution stop her and continued to raise the consciousness of the black British community. She made Notting Hill a place of culture and fun. This is something black women have been doing for years – turning their lemons into lemonade. Turning trauma into progress. Society has the expectation that black women are strong, fearless, frontline soldiers in every battle there is. And they’ve answered that call, paying a heavy price.
To Olive Morris, who died too young, sowing the seeds of a movement which told Britain that black women matter. I’m sorry you didn’t get to see the fruits of your labour. But as much as I would like to thank black women and the women who inspire me, to say thank you without an apology ignores the pain we all go through. To the sisters that died unnecessarily so that people could learn the phrase Black Lives Matter, please rest knowing that we will not forget the names of Sarah Reed, Breonna Taylor, and Sandra Bland and so many others.
To the mothers that have died unnecessarily in the throes of childbirth, becoming martyrs for movement that should never have been needed, but is here, nonetheless. The pain that we go through doesn’t make front page news, because we aren’t seen as newsworthy
To Simone Biles, Meghan Markle and Naomi Osaka, I’m sorry that when you said, ‘enough was enough’, you were met with hatred and scorn because society doesn’t know how to give us a time out and so goes to war against black women who break the mould it tried to place us in.
I know these words can never repay the debt that is owed to so many, but I can only hope but it provides comfort to know that there are countless of us still fighting a battle that was started long ago, when our ancestors’ lands were first invaded, when they were kidnapped, and when others became oppressed for centuries in a place they called home.
We haven’t stopped fighting since then and I doubt we will, not for a while. This won’t fix anything; this is the bare minimum I can do. A show of gratitude is long overdue.
Sincerely,
A young black girl doing her best with the tools you have given me.
creative.writing@palatinate.org.uk Yazz Dean discusses the University’s response to the spiking incidents before reflecting on the moon’s renewing cycle
TW: Mentions of spiking and victim blaming.
Don’t Get Spiked
Students – tell your friends of the new advice we are sharing, #Don’tGetSpiked. I hope it is made clear to all of our students, and to all staff, that we are doing the bare minimum to protect you. Bare minimum. No more. When a woman is spiked inside our city’s clubs do not expect sympathy. We shall create a hashtag that blames the victim and will carry on as usual.
Our hashtag declares that you should be doing more to prevent spiking – have you tried keeping your eyes on your drink at all times? It is too much to ask of us to provide adequate reporting services to help prosecute the criminal? It’s not our problem. We want our issues kept hidden; we can’t damage our reputation. Your lack of prevention will lead us to ruin.
You’re worried about your safety? You don’t want to be injected by a random stranger with an unknown substance? No? Then we will tell you not to. We tell you, students, that you can prevent this from happening to your friends. The blame will be set on you for letting him accept a drink from a stranger. You will be shamed by our institution for letting this happen. On the off chance you disagree with our insensitive campaign then we will simply delete it, sweep it under the rug. Who said that? We didn’t.
Meeting The Moon
You were shy, a slither of silver Before the month was in full bloom And now you turn your luminous face Upon my earthly body below Your head is of serene pearl Your cheek of glistening sterling Your eye of bright argentite The most splendid I have known Your lips of steel never part But oh, what a smile you have The month dies soon after And with it your crescent will What a privilege to look away To the remotest stars For company you stretch your hand Reaching for the sun But I will miss your gentle glow Until the next month anew
