Educating Myself on the Black Lives Matter Movement
By: Zuha Jaffar
It’s incredibly crucial to stay educated on the Black Lives Matter movement, along with racial injustice that so clearly remains in this country. Below are summaries of the movies I’ve watched and books I’ve read that have helped me understand these complex topics a great deal better. I’m still trying to learn more, as there is always more to know. If you can’t donate or protest, the next best thing you can do is stay educated and like mentioned in a previous article, share this art. Educate yourself and continue to push others to do the same.
Movies:
13th (Netflix)
Named after the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery in 1865, DuVernay’s Emmy-winning documentary follows history from slavery through to the mass incarceration of Black people in the United States. The documentary shows why many people have been calling for reform against police brutality for years.
Seven Seconds (Netflix)
This Netflix series follows the story of a police officer who attempts to cover up the death of a young Black boy. The series, which was cancelled after one season, digs into cover-ups in the criminal justice system and the pain the mother goes through.
The Hate U Give (Youtube)
Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds -- the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and decide to stand up for what's right.
I Am Not Your Negro (Amazon Prime)
This Oscar-nominated documentary is based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, Remember This House. It’s narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, and explores the history of racism through civil rights leaders like Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.
Books:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
They Can’t Kill Us All by Wesley Lowery
Studded with moments of joy, and tragedy, They Can't Kill Us All offers a historically informed look at the standoff between the police and those they are sworn to protect, showing that civil unrest is just one tool of resistance in the broader struggle for justice. As Lowery brings vividly to life, the protests against police killings are also about the black community's long history on the receiving end of perceived and actual acts of injustice and discrimination. (Google Books)
Sources:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g32837611/black-lives-matter-movies-netflix/
Further and Necessary Reading:
https://blacklivesmatter.carrd.co/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8WEzLHOHw/
Article Picture Credits:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075671-the-hate-u-give