First things first, what exactly is Black History Month?
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honours all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today- National Geographic.
Here’s A Bit More History For You
Half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery in the United States, in 1915, Black History Month’s history began. In September of that year, the eminent minister Jesse E. Moorland and Harvard-educated historian Carter G. Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), a group devoted to studying and highlighting the accomplishments of Black people and other people of African descent. The organization that is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) organized the first national Black History Week in 1926, deciding on the second week of February since it fell on Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays. The incident sparked local celebrations, history clubs, plays, and lectures in towns and schools around the country.
In the decades that followed, mayors in cities all throughout the nation started proclaiming “Negro Heritage Week” annually. By the late 1960s, “Negro History Week” had transformed into Black History Month on many college campuses, in part because of the civil rights movement and a growing understanding of Black identity. In 1976, Black History Month was formally recognized by President Gerald Ford, who urged people to “take advantage of the occasion to honour the too-often overlooked contributions of Black Americans in every field of effort throughout our history.” Black History Month is an occasion to recognize the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans in American history and culture, including those of early campaigners and civil rights leaders including Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X- History.com.
With all this information made clear, the question now is, what constitutes Black History?
Black history or African American history began or was created when slaves from Africa arrived in North America in the 16th and 17th centuries. Black history is simply the whole series of past events connected with African slaves stolen or ‘bought’ from their homeland; Africa. Today Black History Month is celebrated almost worldwide. However, Africans don’t necessarily celebrate this because, in a large way, Black History Month doesn’t celebrate Africans in Africa. It celebrates the Africans that had to make a home out of the land they were brought to till, nurture and grow but not own…never own. What this means is, Black history is not African history but African history will always be a part of black history(but some would argue that black history is just a branch of African history).
Just because it’s black history month doesn’t mean Africans don’t have the right to celebrate it. It’s a month meant to remember the past, yes but it’s also a month where you own ALL of your Black magic. African American or not, we’re all black and we all deserve a month to own all that beautiful MAGIC. Here is a long list of movies and shows you can watch before black history month ends(and even after). These movies and shows tell the tale of what Africans suffered before the abolition of the slave trade, they tell of the lives they lived after the slave trade, and the lives they live today and some of them are stories of power for all Black and African people. This list aims to educate and empower every person of colour out there.
Harriet
THIS MOVIE!! If you ever need a little back girl magic ‘pick me up’, THIS IS YOUR MOVIE. Based on a true story, this movie follows Harriet Tubman from her escape from slavery through the dangerous missions she led to liberate hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad.
This is a story of love. It’s a story of compassion. It’s a story of sacrifice. It’ll make you cry and at the same time sing for joy. It’s a story of determination, grace and grit.
All American
When a rising high school American football player from South L.A. is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High, the wins, losses and struggles of two families from vastly different worlds—Crenshaw and Beverly Hills—begin to collide.
This show examines black excellence and the obstacles young black youths have to overcome to become anything in America and the world at large. Spencer is a prodigy. The very best football player anyone has seen in years but everything; the system, his skin colour, and his family try to get in the way of him becoming much more than he already is. It’s a really good watch that makes you FEEL.
12 Years A Slave
In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon’s life forever.
This is a really hard watch. Most slave movies are. Not everyone can sit through this one. It’s not the easiest to stomach. It’s too painful. Too raw and knowing it’s based on a true story only makes it difficult. It’s inspiring though. The way our protagonist would not give up. It’s more uplifting than almost anything you’ll ever watch.
Hidden Figures
I have watched this movie over and over again. The one scene I cannot get out of my head was when Taraji P Henson’s character Katherine told of the director of NASA and all the other white men that dared segregate her. It was beautiful. I re-watch that particular scene every 3-5 business days😉😉😅.
This movie was also based on a true story. Three brilliant African-American women at NASA — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson — serve as the brains behind one of the most outstanding operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.
Marshall
A LOT of movies have made me cry. This made me weep. As it is with all the movies so far, this is also based on a true story. Young Thurgood Marshall faces one of his greatest challenges while working as a lawyer for the NAACP. Marshall travels to conservative Connecticut when wealthy socialite Eleanor Strubing accuses Black chauffeur Joseph Spell of sexual assault and attempted murder. He soon teams up with Sam Friedman, a local Jewish lawyer who’s never handled a criminal case. Together, the two men build a defence while contending with racist and anti-Semitic views from those who deem Spell to be guilty.
Prepare to cry, prepare to wail, prepare to get so mad you will want to break your screen. Chadwick Boseman is a SPECTACULAR actor and he did this movie and role justice!
The Woman King
Did someone say Amazons but make them black?!
In the 1800s, a group of all-female warriors protects the African kingdom of Dahomey with skills and fierceness, unlike anything the world has ever seen. Faced with a new threat, Gen. Nanisca trains the next generation of recruits to fight against a foreign enemy that’s determined to destroy their way of life.
I knew about the Dahomey before the movie came out. My first thought was ouu black Amazons but really the Greek Amazons are white Dahomeys. So when I heard about the movie I was ecstatic. Strong-ass women, that could beat your ass in less than a minute? Did someone say Dora Milaje from the Black Panther? Please sign my ass up! This was a magnificent watch. I enjoyed every second of it and a few scenes made me shed a tear or two. The movie was just too good! It was probably my favourite movie of 2022.
Bridgerton
This is not a show about black history. It’s not even a show about the black present. It’s a show that shows us what could have been if humans cared less about the colour of a person’s skin and more about what’s in their hearts!
The show revolves around the eponymous Bridgerton family and is set in the competitive world of Regency-era London’s ton during the social season when marriageable youth of nobility and gentry are launched into society. The first season debuted on December 25, 2020. In it, Daphne(the eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family) debuts on London’s marriage market as a new gossip sheet sets high society atwitter and Simon, the eligible Duke of Hastings, returns to town. Simon’s apparent courtship of Daphne angers her brother Anthony and threatens to ruin the arrangements he made.
A Jazzman’s Blues
I believe this is the third time this movie is getting on one of my movie lists. It’s that good and its message is that important.
This is a tale of forbidden love, family drama and secrets that run so deep, it’ll shock you to your core. There were a lot of painful and dare I say downright disgusting moments but all in all an excellent movie. I would, however, say that I thought some deaths were completely unnecessary.
Self-Made: Inspired By The Life Of Madam C.J. Walker
Madam CJ Walker. She’s a woman who knows what she wants. She’s a black woman who lets nothing get in her way.
This is a fictionalized depiction of “the untold story of black hair care pioneer and mogul Madam C. J. Walker and how she overcame the hostilities of turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, and tumultuous marriages to become America’s first Black, self-made female millionaire.”
Passing
In 1920s New York City, a black woman finds her world up-ended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who’s passing as white
It was weirdly painful to watch this. Incredibly heavy and completely unfair. That is how I would describe it. Too many lives were messed with, too much harm inflicted and all because of the colour of someone’s skin. Something no one has any true control over. It was sad. Ridiculously sad.
Here Are Some More Movies And Shows
- Selma
- Pose
- The Killing Floor
- Boycott
- The Best Of Enemies
- Women Of The Movement
- Concussion
- The killing Floor
- The United States VS Billie Holiday
- Lady Sings The Blues
- Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom
- Hotel Rwanda
- Judas And The Black Messiah
- Bessie
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- The Tuskegee Airman
- Red Tails
- Miss Evers Boys
- Them
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
- 42
- One Night In Miami
- Malcom X
- Ali
- The Hurricane
- Slyvie’s Love
- Straight Outta Compton
- Notorious
- Lee Daniel’s The butler
- South Side With You
- Get out
- Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse
- Blind spotting
- Fruitvale station
- Detroit
- The Pursuit Of Happyness
- The Banker
- Remember The Titans
- The Express: The Ernie Davis Story
- Glory
- Men Of Honour
- Rosewood
- Race
- Pride
- Queen Sugar
- Watchmen
- Soul
- Insecure
- Underground
- Atlanta
- When They See Us
- The Hate You Give
- Dear White People
- 13th
- I May Destroy You
- Black Panther
- Do The Right Thing
- Harlem
- Mudbound
- Just Mercy
- Brian Banks
- The 1619 Project
- Abbot Elementary
- Bridgerton
- Baldwin vs. Buckley: The great debate on racism in America
- A Raisin In The Sun
- Blackish
- Blackkklansman