Racial Injustice

Just Mercy - A Story of Justice and Redemption (2019)

Based on the memoir (2014) of lawyer Bryan Stevenson.

Lawyer Bryan Stevenson has been an influential figure in the legal world, working towards justice for African American prisoners, especially on Death Row. He retells his own path, how he became interested in helping people who had nobody standing up for them while being a young law student, and how his work has developed since then. An inspiring  reading experience.

The film adaptations with Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx is also worth watching, and will be made available freely by HBO.

Selma (2014)

Film by Ava DuVernay based on the life of Martin Luther King Jr, especially the time of the march to Selma during the Civil Rights Movement. 

While Martin Luther King Jr. is revered by his community and respected by many Caucasian Americans, including president Lyndon B. Johnson, for his peaceful protests and dialogue towards more rights for African Americans, he and his movement are still opposed and attacked by others, especially in some Southern States. A great adaptation of true events. 

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Based on the novel (1974) by James Baldwin.

The novel tells the story of a young African American couple in Harlem in the early 1970s. The struggles they face, including violence by police and injustice by the legal system, are still eerily current. A touching novel by one of the greatest African American writers, and a beautiful film adaptation by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins.

BlacKKKlansman (2018)

Film by Spike Lee, one of the most important African American filmmakers of our time. Based on the true story of an African American man who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. 

A talented African American policeman sees an opportunity to get involved in a mission against the Ku Klux Klan, leading to him taking great risks. An uncanny insight into the thinking of some Klan members, and some of their actions. Spike Lee also manages to make this into something more than just a film about American history, but it becomes a chilling connector to current events.

Mudbound (2017)

Based on the novel by Hillary Jordan, screenplay and direction by Dee Rees.

Two families in the South after World War II, one black, one white. Both of them have a soldier come back from the war, but the circumstances in which they live are very different. A powerful film showing important contrast, without simplifying things.

The Hate U Give (2018)

Based on the young adult fiction novel (2017) by Angie Thomas.

A young girl, Starr, lives in two worlds: her home is in an African American neighbourhood controlled by drug gangs, but in her school she is among white students and behaves very differently. When her childhood friend Khalil is shot by a police officer, her life changes, and she needs to decide how to get involved in the aftermath. Written for young adults, this is a greta book and film to get into the topic for young people; it is still worth watching for adults too. 

Get Out (2017)

A surprise success by filmmaker and screenwriter Jordan Peele, who combines elements of horror and comedy with some very serious topics.

An African American man is dating a Caucasian girl, and visits her family estate for the first time. There are some underlying tensions, but what really happens when he spends time with her family is very unexpected...or not? A masterpiece, which toys with your emotions and expectations, and addresses some very real racial issues.

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Based on the true story of Oscar Grant, who was shot by police in the Bay Area.

Oscar Grant, a young African American man is struggling with being unemployed, his ties to crime after a past stunt in prison, and being a father to his daughter and boyfriend to her mother. When he goes out with a group of friends on New Year's Eve, his life takes a different turn. A tough film to watch, but an important one, showing a real story behind one of the victims of the American police injustice. created by Ryan Coogler.

(Note: Coogler later directed Black Panther (which is of course also worth watching for various reasons)

Moonlight (2016)

The first completely African American film to win Best Picture at the Oscars - director, author of the story, producers, actors. 

A gay African American boy is struggling while growing up, not having a safe home or good role models, and searching for his identity. An inspiring tale in three chapters, with three different sets of actors which are all extremely talented. A piece of art, also in terms of sound and cinematography. 

When They See Us (2019)

Mini-series by Ava DuVernay about the true case of the Central Park 5.

Several young men in Harlem go about their daily business, but when a white woman gets brutally attacked in Central Park, the police start rounding up random young African Americans in the neighbourhood. A case of police injustice and systemic legal injustice that is hard to watch and worth doing to further understanding of the issue.