Black History Movie Guide for Parents
A list of more ideas here.
13th
A documentary film that explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the U.S. (Netflix, 2016)
Watch film
Christena Cleveland at the 2017 Justice Conference
Christena Cleveland, thejusticeconference.com
Watch video (33:56)
Fruitvale Station
This dramatic rendering of a real-life tragedy recounts the final hours of Oscar Grant, shot by San Francisco transit police on New Year's Day, 2009
Watch trailer
Hair Love
Short animated film based on the children's book.
Watch video (6:47)
I Am Not Your Negro
Based on James Baldwin's unfinished book, this visual essay explores racism through the stories of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
Watch trailer
Just Mercy
A film based on the true story of Walter McMillian who, with the help of defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, appeals his murder conviction.
Watch trailer
A Kids Book about Racism
Video reading of the children's book.
Watch video (3:58)
Marshall
A biopic of Thurgood Marshall, the first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice
Watch trailer
Racism in America
Phil Vischer (creator of Veggie Tales) gives an overview on racism in America.
Part 1 (17:52) and Part 2 (26:05)
Racism Is Real
Watch video (3:04)
Seeing White Fragility
Animated video
Watch video (6:23)
Systemic Racism Explained
Animated video
Watch video (4:23)
Teach Us All
A film on the continued segregation of U.S. schools, available on Netflix.
Watch trailer
When They See Us
A Netflix mini-series on the 1989 Central Park jogger case and the five males of color who were falsely accused.
Watch trailer
Ted Talks
David Ikard
The real story of Rosa Parks—and why we need to confront myths about Black history
Watch video (18:05)
David Lammy
Climate justice can’t happen without racial justice
Watch video (9:23)
Deborah Lipstadt
Behind the lies of Holocaust denial
Watch video (15:21)
Densho
Ugly History: Japanese American incarceration camps
Watch video (5:28)
Jessica Pryce
To transform child welfare, take race out of the equation
Watch video (7:32)
John Lewis and Bryan Stevenson
The fight for civil rights and freedom
Watch video (23:38)
Ruby Sales
How we can start to heal the pain of racial division
Watch video (20:19)
Tara Houska
The Standing Rock resistance and our fight for Indigenous rights
Watch video (10:55)
For all of these films/vidoes, viewer discretion is advised. Some of these films are not appropriate for all ages.
