Consuming the Culture
Last week was a little heavy os I decided this week I wanted to highlight the many exciting and poignant (and sometimes, tragic) content based on the Black experience.
This post was inspired by Facebook user Crystal Marie.
For those who love big-screen visuals and great storytelling that touch on real-life issues, here’s a list of films to watch:
Destin Daniel Cretton’s Just Mercy (starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx) — inspired by Bryan Stevenson’s memoir
Ava DuVernay’s Selma (starring David Oyelowo) — based on Dr. Martin Luther King’s trek from Selma to Montgomery
Ava DuVernay-produced documentary 13th — an examination of mass incarceration of Black Americans in the U.S.
Raoul Peck-directed documentary I Am Not Your Negro — based on the words and thoughts of writer James Baldwin
Denzel Washington’s The Great Debaters — based on the Wiley College debate team’s victory over USC
Theodore Melfi’s Hidden Figures — based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly
Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing — a hot Summer day in New York culminates in a tragic end fueled by racial tensions
Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (starring Denzel Washington) — based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station (starring Michael B. Jordan) — based on the tragic shooting of Oscar Grant
Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight — based on a play by playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney
Dee Rees’ Pariah — a young Black woman comes to grip with her sexuality
Stefan Bristol’s See You Yesterday — a young girl travels back in time to save her slain brother
GeorgeTillman Jr’s The Hate You (starring Amandla Stenberg) — based on the book of the same name by Angie Thomas
Jordan Peele’s Get Out (starring Daniel Kaluuya) — a psychological examination of racism in the U.S.
Disney’s Zootopia — an animated examination of classism and racism through the world of animals
For those looking for great visual and realistic storytelling on a weekly basis, here’s a list of television series to watch:
Ava DuVernay-produced miniseries When They See Us — based on the 1989 Central Park jogger case
The landmark miniseries Roots(1977 and 2016 versions) — the original is a classic while the new version taps into today’s issues
Cheo Hodari Coker-based Netflix series Luke Cage — based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name
Salim Akil-developed CW series Black Lightning — based on the DC Comics series of the same name
Milestone Media-created Warner Bros. animated series Static Shock — based on the Milestone Media/DC Comics series Static
April Blair-created CW series All American — inspired by the life of former professional football player Spencer Paysinger
Issa Rae-created HBO series Insecure — a comedic yet realistic portrayal of the Black female experience in the U.S.
Donald Glover-created FX series Atlanta — inspired by the career and life of multi-tainer Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino)
ABC sitcom Black-ish — an exploration of the middle-class Black family experience in suburban America
For those look for Black authors and writers to read during these times, here’s a list of books and essays to read:
15 Essential Books By Black Authors — Black Writers to Read Now 25
Amazing Books by African-American Writers You Need to Read | Mental Floss
25 Books by Black Authors — Black Writers You Need to Know
Essays and works of journalism by Black authors on racism to read — Business Insider
For any Black writers (especially male), here is a great visual article on Black male writers of our times by The New York Times.
Hopefully, these examples of meaningful content by Black creators can help towards creating more understanding of what Black America has gone through since the days of slavery.
Watch this space as I return to document my writing journey.
Originally published at http://adreonpatterson.net on June 18, 2020.
