With all that is happening in America, The Black Lives Matter Movement and protests was a long time coming. Many of us around the world may not have the means to donate, or the ability to physically protest, but there are other ways to show alliance and create awareness. I truly believe in the power of art as a means of education and creating social awareness. While I have been researching and keeping up to date on the current state, I don’t feel as educated on the matter. So why not seek the help of voices old and new to help us understand the century old pandemic of systemic racism.
Here’s a list of books/films that will help you educate yourself and loved ones on why the Black Lives Matter movement needs all of our help. Black Stories Matter. #blacklivesmatter
Americanah~ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
U.S. National Book Critics Circle Fiction award winner, Americanah is the story of a Nigerian woman, Ifemelu, who moves to the States for university. It explores the nature of race, love and identity.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings ~ Maya Angelou
A classic, it really needs no introduction. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir. Detailing events and trauma from her childhood to her teenage years after moving to the South to live with her grandmother. Despite her experiences of bigotry and rape, at such a young age Maya resists oppression by finding her voice and strength through her love for literature.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave~ by Himself
Written in 1849, by Frederick Douglass himself, leader of abolitionist movement, and orator who was born into slavery himself.
This collection of stories were written to explain to people why slavery was wrong. Douglass tells a raw, hard-hitting narrative on the physical and phycological effects of slavery on black people. This is a good book for a little history lesson, from first-hand experience. Click on the image for a link to the FREE E-book.
The Invisible Man~Ralph Ellison
“I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.
When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination—indeed, everything and anything except me.”
Ellison’s tells the story of a nameless young black man who moves from the racist South to New York City. His experiences however, don’t improve. Ellison explores an existentialist take on identity, having no other visible identity apart from skin colour.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl~Harriett Jacob
Similar to Douglass, in 1861, Harriett Jacob wrote an autobiographical account of her life born into slavery. She used the pseudonym Linda Brent at the time to protect the safety of her family while sharing her personal horrors in efforts to abolish slavery. Click the image for the link to the Free E-Book
The Water Dancer~ Ta-Nehisi Coates
In his debut novel in 2019, Coates utilises magic surrealism to depict a Pre-Civil War Virginia. Our protagonist Hiram, has impeccable memory, but cannot remember his mother who was ripped away from him at a young age. He also discovers his power of Conduction (teleportation) which he uses in his involvement with the Underground Railroad.
Other stories worth having a look at:
- The Bluest Eye~Toni Morrison
- The Colour Purple~Alice Walker
- Between The World and Me~Ta-Nehisi Coates
FILMS
- 13th (2016), directed by Ava DuVernay
Titled after the 13th amendment which abolished slavery in the United States in 1865, this film by DuVernay explores the intersection in mass incarceration and racial inequality in the US. Netflix has put the entire feature film on Youtube, linked below:
- Fruitvale Station (2013), directed by Ryan Coogler
Based on a true story of Oscar Grant’s (Michael B. Jordan) tragic death. After watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks in San Fransisco, on his way home he is involved in an altercation with the police.
- When They See Us (Series) (2019)
This four episode miniseries by Ava DuVernay tells the true story of the Central Park Five, and the wrongful conviction they faced in 1990 of raping a woman. The series takes us through their journey to exoneration in 2002.
- Hidden Figures (2016) directed by Theodore Melfi
Loosely based on true events, the story of the three African American Mathematicians who were pivotal in NASA’s space race in the 1960s.
- Just Mercy (2019), directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
- Selma (2014) directed by Ava DuVernay
A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.
- The Wire (Series) (2002-2008)
A realistic portrayal of the war on drugs in Baltimore following the perspectives of law enforcement officials as well as the criminals they’re pursuing. The portrayal of these nuanced characters is a far cry from traditional roles in a crime drama setting. The series skilfully conveys the blurred lines when it comes to good vs. bad dealing with topics such as education reform, government and bureaucracy and the print news media.
There are many more films, books, and documentaries that help better understand the current movement, but these are a few I’ve personally found eye-opening, as well as recommendations from others.
