Black History Month ended. Still, as you have learned in our courses, it is our duty to educate ourselves constantly, and what a better way to do it (aside from the fun courses you can find for free on StudentLAB) than through the media we consume every day.
Station 19
This Grey’s Anatomy spin-off, which you can watch on Hulu in the USA and on Star+ in Latinamerica, tackles the lives and journeys of Station 19 at the Seattle Fire Department. With a diverse cast and a Latina protagonist, it doesn’t shy away from tackling current issues such as mental health, police brutality, and systemic racism. In particular, the episodes “Get up, Stand up” and “Say Her Name” shed light on George Floyd’s murder and the trauma experienced by Black Americans and on the Black Lives Matter protests, which have been supported and replicated around the world.
Dear White People
This Netflix show, based on the movie with the same name, follows the lives of a group of Black students in a primarily white university. The show sheds light on social injustices and microaggressions that African Americans experience daily through humor and irony. Furthermore, Dear White People is not afraid to tackle topics related to racial identity, from the significance of hair for the Black community to police brutality and how a young Black man’s mere existence is still considered a threat (See, Chapter V).
The most beautiful thing about High on the Hogh is that although it addresses painful moments of our history, such as the Atlantic Slave Trade, it does so to highlight the contributions of Black Americans to the culinary world.
High on the Hogh: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
The most beautiful thing about High on the Hogh is that although it addresses painful moments of our history, such as the Atlantic Slave Trade, it does so to highlight the contributions of Black Americans to the culinary world. In four episodes, Stephen Satterfield, a food writer, and trained chef, travels to Benin and around the United States, connecting with different chefs and food historians to finally settle the difference between a sweet potato and a yam, explore the history of mac and cheese, and in a few words, celebrate Black people and food. Based on the book by Dr. Jessica B. Harris: High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America, this show will connect you to the very fibers that make up the most traditional dishes and culture in the American continent and highlight their African roots.
Even though it is essential to learn about the most painful episodes of history, it is also crucial to highlight the stories of success and joy in the Black community.
Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker
With Octavia Spencer leading this Netflix miniseries, you know you are in for a treat. Still, it gets even better when you find out it is about the life of Madam C.J. Walker, who created a natural hair-care empire that made her America’s first truly self-made millionaire. Even though it is essential to learn about the most painful episodes of history, it is also crucial to highlight the stories of success and joy in the Black community.
Colin in Black & White
Created by Colin Kaepernick and acclaimed director Ava Duvernay, this miniseries, available on Netflix, explores Kaepernick’s teenage years and the different events that led him to become an activist and ultimately lose his place in the NFL later on in life. Moreover, the show highlights his experience as a mixed-race adopted kid in a white family, with loving and supporting parents who often failed to understand his specific needs as a black kid, despite their love for their child.
Bonus
Keep your eyes open for The Woman King, starring the fantastic Viola Davis, which is set to be released later this year in September and based on the events in the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey, West Africa, in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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