Each month, Walton Arts Center’s staff Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee distributes an employee newsletter highlighting the DEI focus for the month, recommendations on DEI resources and more. Starting this month, we’re sharing portions of that newsletter here on our blog. This month’s newsletter celebrates Black History Month.
Black History Month Must-See Movies and TV by Mallory Barker, School Services Specialist
The weather outside is frightful and most of us are still stuck inside a la COVID, so what better way to celebrate Black History Month than with the perfect binge-worthy watch list! Whether you want to take a look back and celebrate where we have come from, relive historic moments, relish in a good love story, or just enjoy a good Indie film, this list has got you covered! Here’s my list of must-see films and television during Black History Month.
1. Sylvie’s Love – When a young woman meets an aspiring saxophonist in her father’s record shop in 1950’s Harlem, their love ignites a sweeping romance that transcends changing times, geography and professional success. Streaming on Amazon Prime
2. Queen Sugar Queen Sugar, follows the life of three siblings who move to Louisiana to claim an inheritance from their recently departed father-an 800-acre sugarcane farm. Season four begins on February 16th so you can binge the first three seasons now and catch new episodes on OWN.
3. Insecure-Created by and starring Issa Rae, this acclaimed HBO comedy series centers around best friends Issa and Molly as they navigate the challenges of being black women who defy all stereotypes. Streaming on HBO Max
4. Toni Morrison, The Pieces I Am - Author Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, history, America and the human condition. Streaming on Hulu
5. Malcolm and Marie - John David Washington and Zendaya star in this “not a love story…love story”. Washington stars as a filmmaker who returns home with his girlfriend (Zendaya) on the night of a successful movie premiere. Smoldering tensions and painful revelations push them toward a romantic reckoning. Streaming on Netflix
6. One Night in Miami - On the night of Feb. 25, 1964, in Miami, Cassius Clay joins Jim Brown, Sam Cooke and Malcom X, and they discuss the responsibility of being successful black men during the civil rights movement. Streaming on Amazon
7. I Am Not Your Negro - This 2016 documentary film is based on James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript Remember This House. Narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson, the film explores the history of racism in the United States through Baldwin's reminiscences of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his personal observations of American history. Streaming on Hulu
8. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom - Tensions and temperatures rise at a Chicago music studio in 1927 when fiery, fearless blues singer Ma Rainey joins her band for a recording session. Streaming on Netflix
9. Bridgerton - The eight close-knit siblings of the Bridgerton family look for love and happiness in London high society. Inspired by Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels. Streaming on Netflix
10. Middle of Nowhere – When her husband is sentenced to eight years in prison, Ruby drops out of medical school in order to focus on her husband’s well-being while he’s incarcerated-leading her on a journey of self-discovery in the process.
I Was Wrong: Reflections On Growing as an Ally by Rachel Burkevich, Programming Specialist
Originally, I had intended to call out “Black Female Excellence” in this piece….
That is, until I read a blog post shared on Facebook by a playwright who I had intended to highlight no less. The post is called Full Stop: Casually Anti-Black Behaviors You Need to Quit NOW and is written by playwright Sharai Bohannon.
Her FIRST point in a list of 17 is “Don’t co-opt phrases like ‘Black Excellence,’ ‘Black Girl Magic,’ or ‘Black Boy Joy,’ or anything similar to those phrases.” Which is exactly what I was about to do.
I encourage everyone to take the time and read her entire post linked above, but basically she is saying that those phrases and accolades are not for white people to determine and give.
That realization just reminds me The point that I would now like to make with this piece is that we are always learning. It is so important to note when we are wrong and not hide in our shame. By sharing our ignorance others can learn, and the trauma we cause can finally begin to dissipate. Admit when we’re wrong. Apologize (publically when necessary). Do not pretend that it didn’t happen. And then change the behavior.
Having said that, we should absolutely not ignore lists of “Black Excellence” or Netflix’s “Celebrating Black Voices” category - but we should notice who has made the list. Who has collected these names, movies, songs, etc. and told me they are important?
I was wrong to assume that I had any authority to curate a list of “Black Excellence”. I apologize and I will do better. I will continue to listen, read, and use my privilege to amplify voices that are often not heard. Please read Shari’s full post.