In honor of Black history coming up I decided to compile a list of some of my favorite films that best highlight the different aspects of the black community. There is no monolith when it comes to the people of this community and these films will help allies have a better understanding of the ins and outs, not to mention some are a delight to just sit and watch.
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Love and Basketball
This romance film is a classic in the black community. Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps play the two main characters, Monica and Quincy. The two meet as children and respect each other because of their mutual love of basketball. The movie, similar to a basketball game, is split between 4 quarters of their lives as we see them grow. Made in 2000 this film features many other famous black actors and actresses and gives subtle insight into black families and upbringings.
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School Daze
This Spike Lee musical was made in 1988 and it is a great movie not only for allies but for the black community as well. The movie takes place at an HBCU(historically black college/university) and over the course of two hours, it discusses serious issues. This film goes over political and social activism, black fraternity and sorority life, and colorism. Spike Lee uses this film to expose colorism with the black community, specifically towards black women with the “light skin vs dark skin” debate between the sororities. He also uses it as a call for the black community to understand our differences and come together to unite.
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Eve’s Bayou
This movie is one of my personal favorites but you should proceed with a bit of caution, it explores a darker side of the black community. Eve is a 10-year-old girl who lives in a rich creole community in Louisiana during the ’60s. The movie takes place during the summer and explores many different themes, infidelity, voodoo, and the confusing mental and sexual aspects of a young black girl hitting puberty. Starring prominent black Hollywood figures like Samuel L. Jackson, Jurnee Smollett, Megan Good, and Lynn Whitfield, this film sheds light on the harsher realities of growing up in the black community.
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Pariah
This film sheds light on the struggles of intersectionality and the issue of homophobia in the black community. In this movie, we see 17-year-old Alike come to terms with her sexuality, and throughout the film, she tries to find a lesbian lover to share her experience with. Alike battles heartbreak and the violent rejection from her mother who forces her to dress and act more feminine. This film highlights the struggles that black people apart of the LGBTQ+ face not only from society but from their own ethnic community as well. This movie is a good learning experience for allies and a chance for self-reflection for the black community.
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Fruitvale Station
Appropriately I saved the most jarring film for last, with the new support that BLM has gained over the years this movie is a tough but necessary watch. Starring Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer this film is about the tragic murder of Oscar Grant at the hands of the BART police in 2006 in Oakland, California. The movie shows flashbacks of Oscar’s last day with his friends and family and the events that led up to his unjust murder. Though the film wasn’t made until 2013 Grant’s death sparked many peaceful and violent protests since it was caught on camera by witnesses. Oscar Grant’s case, like many others, is part of the foundational roots of BLM so even if it’s a one and done Fruitvale Station is a must-see.
Like I mentioned before there is no monolith when it comes to the black community, it’s made up of different individuals with different mindsets and that’s what these movies represent. Hopefully this month you can set aside some time and watch one of these classics and understand something you didn’t before.