Movies for Black History Month 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015 at 3:27 pm

Every family should observe Black History Month and movies like these are a good way to begin discussions and further study. Start with “Selma,” the brilliant film now in theaters, about Dr. Martin Luther King and the march for voting rights. Scholastic has some wonderful DVDs for the whole family.

1. Glory The true story of the US Civil War’s first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of their own Union army and battling the Confederates, with brilliant performances by Denzel Washington (who won an Oscar), Morgan Freeman, and Matthew Broderick as the white officer who truly believed all men were equal.

2. Something the Lord Made The obstacles to education and professional advancement kept Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) from medical school, but he was a pioneer in heart surgery.vivien thomas

3. Roots Writer Alex Haley told the story of his own family going back to the capture of one of his ancestors from Africa to be sold into slavery in this historic miniseries.

4. Amistad A slave rebellion led to an historic Supreme Court case that addressed fundamental notions of personhood and inalienable rights.

5. With All Deliberate Speed This documentary about the Brown v. Board of Education case that transformed American schools and culture has interviews with lawyer Thurgood Marshall (who later became the first black Supreme Court justice) and others involved in the case.

6. Malcolm X Denzel Washington is mesmerizing in this story of the incendiary leader and his journey from complacency to activism to understanding.

7. Eyes on the Prize This PBS documentary covers the Civil Rights movement from the murder of Emmett Till to the march in Selma.  There is also an excellent sequel.

8. The Rosa Parks Story Angela Bassett stars as the Civil Rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat on the bus electrified the nation.

9. The Loving Story The name of this history-making couple was really Loving.  Their inter-racial marriage led the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the laws against miscegenation in 1967. When the lawyers asked Mr. Loving what he wanted them to tell the Court, he said, “Tell them I love my wife.”

10. A Great Day in Harlem This documentary tells the story of photographer Art Kane’s 1958 iconic photograph of all of the great jazz musicians of the era.

great-day in harlem

And more: Nine from Little Rock: Pioneers of Desegregtion, Hoop Dreams, 42, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, and Wilma

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For Your Netflix Queue Movie Mom’s Top Picks for Families Race and Diversity

Ten American Masters for Black History Month

Posted on February 22, 2014 at 3:57 pm

In honor of Black History Month, American Masters looks at just ten of its artists and advocates who shaped America’s culture, changed the course of history, and in particular, took a stand in the Civil Rights Movement to create a lawful and just society for all.  They include musical performers Cab Calloway, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, actors Sidney Poitier and Paul Robeson, and writers James Baldwin and Alice Walker.

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Television

Movies for Black History Month

Posted on February 18, 2014 at 8:00 am

Every family should observe Black History Month and movies like these are a good way to begin discussions and further study.

1. “Glory” The true story of the US Civil War’s first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of their own Union army and battling the Confederates, with brilliant performances by Denzel Washington (who won an Oscar), Morgan Freeman, and Matthew Broderick as the white officer who truly believed all men were equal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWGt9Yr2bCw

2. “Something the Lord Made” The obstacles to education and professional advancement kept Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) from medical school, but he was a pioneer in heart surgery.vivien thomas

3. “Roots” Writer Alex Haley told the story of his own family going back to the capture of one of his ancestors from Africa to be sold into slavery in this historic miniseries.

4. “Amistad” A slave rebellion led to an historic Supreme Court case that addressed fundamental notions of personhood and inalienable rights.

5. “With All Deliberate Speed” This documentary about the Brown v. Board of Education case that transformed American schools and culture has interviews with lawyer Thurgood Marshall (who later became the first black Supreme Court justice) and others involved in the case.

6. “Malcolm X” Denzel Washington is mesmerizing in this story of the incendiary leader and his journey from complacency to activism to understanding.

7. “Eyes on the Prize” This PBS documentary covers the Civil Rights movement from the murder of Emmett Till to the march in Selma.  There is also an excellent sequel.

8. “The Rosa Parks Story” Angela Bassett stars as the Civil Rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat on the bus electrified the nation.

9. “The Loving Story” The name of this history-making couple was really Loving.  Their inter-racial marriage led the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the laws against miscegenation in 1967.

10. “A Great Day in Harlem” This documentary tells the story of photographer Art Kane’s 1958 iconic photograph of all of the great jazz musicians of the era.

great-day in harlem

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For Your Netflix Queue Lists Race and Diversity

Tonight on PBS: Alice Walker

Posted on February 7, 2014 at 8:00 am

Tonight on most PBS stations is the premiere of a new episode of the American Masters series, “Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth,” in honor of the acclaimed author’s 70th birthday and Black History Month. Walker is the first African-American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction with her novel The Color Purple, which also won the National Book Award. Her other books include The Third Life of Grange Copeland, Meridian, The Temple of My Familiar, and Possessing the Secret of Joy. In her public life, Walker has worked to address problems of injustice, inequality, and poverty as an activist, teacher, and public intellectual.

Here, in an outtake from the film, Alice Walker talks about taking a segregated bus to go to Spelman College.

She was a major force in bringing public attention to the work of Zora Neale Hurston.

A sneak preview of the program is available online.

 

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Celebrate Black History Month with “March On!”

Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:00 am

My very favorite DVD series for kids is Scholastic Storybook Treasures and their new release for Black History Month is a special treat.  It is called “Stories about African American Heritage Featuring March On!”  The title story is written by Dr. Christine King Farris, who tells the story of her brother Martin’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.  It also includes the popular “Martin’s Big Words,” stories about Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, the classic folk tale “Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears,” and “Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad.”

I have one copy to give away.  Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com and tell me about an African American you admire.  Don’t forget your address!  (US addresses only.)  I’ll pick a winner at random on February 5.  Good luck!

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