For anyone out there who wants to learn more about ‘race’, racism, anti-racism & Black Lives Matter, here’s some suggested documentaries & films. Summaries & (some) links in the thread:

13th (2016) Netflix: Ava DuVernay’s powerful documentary illustrates how the 13th amendment abolished slavery but gave rise to a new system of racialised oppression & injustice. An absolute masterpiece. Worth a Netflix subscription just for this!

Racism: A History (2007) BBC4: 3-part series exploring the emergence of ‘race’ & racism. Episodes focus on slavery, enlightenment & the contemporary racial situation. The series examines the global impact of racism by focusing on countries including South Africa, UK, US & India.

When They See Us (2019) Netflix: Another genius display from DuVernay as this drama charts the wrongful prosecution of the Central Park 5. Ep.4 centres solely on Korey. It’s brutal & emotive yet is a must-watch as it lays bare problems attached to the criminal (in)justice system.

The Central Park 5 (2012): Following on, this gripping documentary has to feature next! Korey, Kevin, Raymond, Antron & Yusef, the 5 boys wrongfully sentenced for a crime they didn’t commit, explain the shocking events in their own words. Saddening & shocking stories.

LA 92 (2017) National Geographic: After the acquittal of 4 police officers responsible for the brutal beating of Rodney King, protests, uprisings & violence ensued across LA. 28 years later, how much has really changed as history repeats itself yet again.

Dear White People (2017) Netflix: A satirical comedy drama series which can help us understand cultural bias, social injustice & white privilege. Trailer:

Utopia (2013): Legendary documentarian, John Pilger, delivers a deep & disturbing insight into the lives of Aboriginal Australians who encounter racism & discrimination in unthinkable ways. Pilger’s work is highly recommended. Check his website out: http://johnpilger.com 

Shame in the Game (2020) BBC3: Eye-opening insight into the experiences of people of colour involved in English football. Powerfully shot painful stories shared by the interviewees. Sport, and football, is not meritocratic, after all. Watch: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p081mk0x

The Incredible Human Journey (2009) BBC: We are all children of Africa. We are the human race. This 5-part series charts the great human journey out of Africa. This gripping look back at human history reminds us that ‘races’ (plural) are inventions. Watch:

(2016) Listen to the visionary words of playwright James Baldwin, orated by Samuel L. Jackson. Baldwin describes the lived experiences of African-Americans during the civil-rights era & outlines how racism can be challenged. Trailer:

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018): Based on James Baldwin’s novel of the same name, Director Barry Jenkins presents this romantic drama set in 1970s Harlem. This moving story showcases racial injustice within the US legal system. Trailer: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/if_beale_street_could_talk

Green Book (2018): Oscar winning performance given by Mahershala Ali for his portrayal of Don Shirley. The film explores racial bias, automatic prejudice & class tensions in early 1960s America. And, if you don’t know what the ‘Green Book’ is, click here: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.history.com/.amp/news/the-green-book-the-black-travelers-guide-to-jim-crow-america

The Hate U Give (2018): A poignant film for this moment. Following the killing of an unarmed African-American man, named Khalil, in a ‘routine’ traffic stop, it forces Starr to fight & become an activist against system racism and oppression. Trailer:

Get Out (2017): Jordan Peele’s intense horror/thriller is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. How comfortable or safe is it to be the ‘outsider within’? Micro-aggressions littered throughout.

Of course, there’s many documentaries & films missing from the list. But, these are some of the most impactful ones I’ve seen.

I must add that many of you out there, esp people of colour, may already know these histories and stories. But the list is there for anyone new to issues of racialised injustice and systemic racism. It’s there for anyone who wants to learn more, educate themselves & make changes