Black History Month resources
February 24, 2021
Black History Month is a time to reflect and honor all of the contributions and achievements of Black Americans. One of the ways you can participate safely is to watch movies, read books and visit websites to learn more about Black History and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Here are our movie, book and website suggestions for this month, or any time of the year:
Movies
Hidden Figures
Watch on Disney+, Hulu, or rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video
The movie depicts the true story of how three African American mathematicians, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, played a crucial role in NASA’s launch of the first American man into orbit.
13th
Watch on Netflix or YouTube
Receiving 9 nominations and 4 Emmys, this documentary by filmmaker Ava DuVernay dives into the history of racial inequality in America. The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution made slavery illegal. However, the film reveals that there are a disproportionate number of African Americans in prison and argues that the criminal justice system is another form of racial control.
Selma
Watch on Hulu or rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video
This historical drama based on the 1965 civil rights march from Selma, Alabama to Alabama’s capital, Montgomery, focuses on Dr. Martin Luther King’s efforts to obtain equal voting rights for African Americans.
The Butler
Watch on Netflix or rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video
This historical drama chronicles the life of Cecil Gaines and his experience working as a butler for the First family. This is loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen, who was a butler in the White House for 34 years.
42
Rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video
This sports film follows Jackie Robinson, played by Chadwick Boseman, on his journey to becoming the first Black athlete to play in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Remember the Titans
Watch on Disney+ or rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video
This sports drama, which takes place in 1971 Alexandria, Virginia, unfolds as the all white high school in the area is forced to integrate with an all Black high school. The story primarily focuses on a newly appointed African American coach, and his newly integrated football team as they face adversity and racially motivated conflicts instigated by the white players and coaches.
Books
“One of the Good Ones”
In this YA novel, teen social activist Kezi Smith dies in police custody. The story follows her sister, Happi, and the rest of her family as they cope with the grief, leading Happi to embark on a trip to honor Kezi’s memory.
“They Cleared the Lane: The NBA’s Black Pioneers“
This collection of interviews portrays the experience of being among the first Black players and coaches in the NBA, while highlighting the players’ significant contributions to basketball, professional sports, and society.
“King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero”
This is a biography of Muhammad Ali, who is widely regarded as one of the best professional boxers of all time.
“Twelve Years a Slave”
This is a memoir by Solomon Northup, who was born a free man in New York, then deceived, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in Louisiana in 1841, leaving his wife and two children behind with no way of knowing where he was. Northrup chronicles his hopeless and degrading twelve years as a slave until his rescue in 1853.
“Becoming”
This is a personal memoir detailing the life of former first lady Michelle Obama, and her experience as the first African American first lady.
