19 Netflix movies, shows and documentaries that tackle race and racism

As Black Lives Matter protests continue, it is even more important be educated about racial injustice
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Protests against police brutality have erupted across the country following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

As Black Lives Matter protests continue across the US and beyond, it's become even more important to make sure we are educated about the injustices in our society.

Powerful and educational movies, shows and documentaries can help to better understand the issues of anti-black racism.

Luckily, Netflix has a generous selection of these - here’s a list of some of the many documentaries, films and TV shows about race and racism:

Documentaries

13th

In Ava DuVernay’s documentary, activists, politicians and formerly incarcerated people analyse the criminalisation of African Americans, focusing on injustice and mass incarceration in the US.

The title refers to the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution which reads, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.”

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson is a black trans icon, and a central figure in the 1969 Stonewall riots. Black trans women are some of the most marginalised people in society, and this documentary is a fitting tribute.

The film is led by her friend and activist Victoria Cruz, who celebrates Marsha’s life, but also probes her suspicious and mysterious death.

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Using never-before heard recordings, rare archival footage and her best-known songs, this is the story of legendary singer and activist Nina Simone.

The documentary also includes interviews with Simone's daughter and friends, and chronicles her life as an artist and becoming a civil rights activist.

Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap

News site Vox is behind the Explained series, that puts the spotlight on topical issues in short and punchy episodes.

Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap manages to look into how slavery, housing discrimination, and centuries of systemic inequalities can cause a racial wealth gap - and it does it all in 16 minutes.

Becoming

The most recently released documentary on this list, you can join former first lady Michelle Obama in an intimate film looking at her life.

It follows Michelle Obama as she travels around the US on the 34-stop book tour for her memoir of the same name. She recalls what it was like growing up in the south side of Chicago with a dad dying of MS, her experiences in the White House, her fight for girls’ education, and the school guidance counsellor who told her she wasn’t ‘Princeton material’.

Strong Island

This Oscar-nominated documentary explores the murder of William Ford Jnr, a black 24-year-old teacher who was killed by a white 19-year-old mechanic in Long Island in April 1992. Mark P. Reilly was not charged for his crime by an all white jury.

The documentary is directed by William Ford Jnr’s brother, Yance Ford, and includes powerful interviews from the family about how their lives were altered and shaped by the horrific crime.

Teach Us All

This 2017 documentary displays how decades on since Brown v. Board of Education (a landmark decision ruling it unconstitutional to continue racial segregation in public schools), American schools remain largely segregated.

The film touches on the lack of funding, lack of quality teaching for black children, and the leaders who are working to change the system.

Time: The Kalief Browder Story

This Jay-Z-produced, six-part documentary series explores the case of Kalief Browder, a 16-year-old boy from New York who was accused of stealing a backpack.

Despite never being convicted, Kalief was imprisoned for three years, two of them spent in solitary confinement. He was released, but at 22 years old, he took his own life.

Let it Fall: Los Angeles 1982-1992

The producer and directer behind 12 Years a Slave also made this film, about the turbulent decade in LA after the four police officers caught on tape violently beating Rodney King, a black construction worker, were acquitted.

It is known to be one of the first of many viral videos of police misconduct.

The film explores the short-term effects - the 1992 uprisings which left more than 60 people dead - but also the long-standing tensions with police that continue to this day.

TV shows

When They See Us

As with 13th, Ava DuVernay is behind this TV drama based on the true case of 1989’s Central Park Five, when five black teenagers from New York were convicted of a brutal rape case they did not commit.

The series shows how the young boys were forced by police officers into falsely confessing. It stars critically-acclaimed stars such as Moonlight’s Jharrel Jerome, The Wire's Michael K. Williams.

DuVernay's distribution, arts and advocacy collective, Array, has also just launched an education platform to accompany the Netflix series, to help viewers learn more about the case and offer episode breakdowns.

Dear White People

This satirical and absurdist series follows a group of students of colour at a predominantly white Ivy-League College.

The students navigate cultural biases, injustice, activism and politics, where racial tensions are always bubbling just below the surface.

Seven Seconds

This gritty, dark and emotional series is about the death of a 15-year-old African American boy in Jersey City, which sets off a police cover-up and a search for the truth.

After a white cop accidentally hits and critically injures a Brenton Butler, the north eastern city explodes with racial tensions.

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

Having just premiered a few months ago, this series shines a light on America's first female self-made millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker. It is based on the biography On Her Own Ground by A’Lelia Bundles.

Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer plays the lead role, telling the story of how Walker overcame hostility including post-slavery racial biases to revolutionise black haircare, and bring about social change.

Orange Is the New Black

This seven season series Orange Is the New Black begins when Piper Chapman, a white woman, goes to jail for money laundering, and has to cope inside an American female prison.

The story becomes about so much more than Piper though, exploring the stories of the other women in the prison with flashbacks to their past.

The show addresses police brutality, mass incarceration, the persecution of black transgender women, and most vividly, the #SayHerName movement.

When beloved inmate Poussey Washington (Samira Wiley) is killed by a prison guard who suffocates her, this leads leads to a prison riot which lasts almost a whole season.

Movies

Mudbound

This historical drama follows two World War II veterans, one black, one white, who return to rural Mississippi, and confront the realities of prejudice, racism, PTSD and friendship in the divided World War II era.

It most notably stars Carey Mulligan and Mary J. Blige. It also broke some records at the 90th Academy Awards, where it got nominated for Best Cinematography, making Rachel Morrison the first woman ever nominated in the category.

Mary J. Blige also became the first person to ever be nominated for an acting and song award during the same year.

The Sun Is Also A Star

A good film for a younger audience to watch, this film is an American teen drama film based on the young adult novel by Nicola Yoon.

Natasha lives in New York City with her parents Samuel and Patricia, and her brother Peter, all of whom are illegally in the country. Natasha and her family are set to be deported back to Jamaica.

Natasha then unexpectedly crosses paths with Daniel, while in the process of avoiding deportation to Jamaica, and the pair fall in love. As well as a love story, it depicts the struggle immigrants face in an often hostile environment.

12 Years a Slave

Based on Solomon Northup's memoirs of being born a free man then sold into slavery in 1841, this film vividly portrays the brutal and often fatal reality of slavery.

The film charts Northrup’s twelve years on a southern plantation, as well as his efforts to escape.

While showing the violence and abuse black slaves were forced into, this film can also provide a greater understanding about the long-term effects of the emotional scars of slavery.

Blindspotting

Nearing the end of his probation, ex-convict Colin, who lives in Oakland, just wants to avoid prison - but the reckless behaviour of his white best friend Miles doesn't make it easy.

Following a scene early on in which Collin witnesses a white police officer shoot a black man with no provocation, the film expresses the mental toll it takes on him, and how it almost comes between his and Miles's friendship.

Fruitvale Station

Portraying another unjust death of a black man at the hands of white police officers, in 2009, 22-year-old Oscar Grant was kneed in the head and shot by police officers responding to a report of a subway station fight. He died later that day.

Both peaceful and violent protests took place in the following days. The film tells the story of Grant’s life prior the the event, and the effects of the injustice.

The film stars Michael B. Jordan as Oscar Grant, and was Ryan Coogler's feature directorial debut.

To help combat systemic racism, consider learning from or donating to organisations such as Show Racism the Red Card, Stop Hate UK and Black Lives Matter UK.

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