Read, Watch & Listen this Black History Month
By Catherine Van, AMA PDX Director of Diversity Outreach and Engagement
February is Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring and celebrating the achievements, and contributions of the Black community, while also acknowledging the systemic inequalities they’ve experienced. Every year, a new theme emerges to honor Black History Month. This year’s theme is, “Black Resistance.”
Throughout history, Black Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, exploitation, institutional discrimination, and brutality. Because of their resistance, the Black community has achieved triumphs, successes, and progress as seen at the end of slavery, the dismantling of Jim Crow segregation in the South, the desegregation of educational institutions, and more. As part of AMA PDX’s commitment to empowering historically underserved communities, we encourage you to reflect on the inequities and injustices inflicted against the Black community to become better allies.
Below are some essential books, shows, documentaries, movies, and podcasts created by Black creators to learn more about the Black experience.
Read
‘The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story’ by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine – A mix of essays, poems, and works of fiction from more than 50 contributors and 17 authors who explore the deep-rooted legacy of slavery and how its inheritance in 1619 continues to shape every facet of modern American society, its constructs and its democracy to this day
‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ by Maya Angelou – A coming-of-age memoir by acclaimed writer and poet Maya Angelou that details her experiences with racism, sexual trauma and violence she experienced as a young girl. Years later, she finds the freedom to heal through great literary works from authors such as William Shakespeare, kindness of others, and self-love
‘Between the World and Me’ by Ta-Nehisi Coates – A memoir written in a series of essays that take the form of an open letter to Coates’ son about race in America, exploring thoughts on systemic racism, white exceptionalism, and more
‘Beloved’ by Toni Morrison – A New York Times bestseller follows the story of Sethe, who is born into slavery and escapes to Ohio. But even after 18 years, the memories of home still haunt her
‘The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness’ by Michelle Alexander – Demonstrates the link between slavery, Jim Crow, mass incarceration and racism and is a call to action for modern reform of America’s criminal justice system
Watch
There are multiple movies and documentaries exploring the Black experience right now on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and other streaming services. PBS also offers several free documentary collections for all ages.
High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America (Netflix) –Chef and writer Stephen Satterfield traces the delicious, moving throughlines from Africa to Texas in this docuseries
Black is King (Disney+)– Visual album from Beyoncé that reimagines the lessons of “The Lion King,” telling the story of a young king’s transcendent journey through betrayal, love, and self-identity
Wattstax (Amazon) – A documentary that celebrations the seventh annual Watts Summer Festival, highlighting a seven-hour concert at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1972
Hidden Figures (Disney+) – Biopic that tells the untold story of three women at NASA who were instrumental in the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit
Women of the Movement (Hulu) – Based on the true story of the savage lynching of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley’s path to activism
Listen
“Historically Black” by the Washington Post – This podcast features stories based on personal objects submitted by listeners that “make up their own lived experiences of Black history”
“The Black History Buff Podcast” by King Kurus – This podcast is a fun and thrilling journey through time, covering the full historical tapestry of the African Diaspora
“Witness Black History” by BBC Worldwide – A travel and culture documentary podcast that highlights key moments in Black and Civil Rights History
“Code Switch” by NPR – This podcast highlights the hidden heroes and buried history of Black America
“Seizing Freedom” by VPM – The podcast celebrates Black history, highlighting true stories of Black people’s fight for liberation, progress, and joy from the Civil war to the Civil Rights Movement