Black History Month

Untitled Portrait By Louis Dunne 

February is Black History Month in several countries. This month celebrates the progression of human rights for people of colour all across the world. Yet, people of colour are still at a disadvantage in the media and do not get the recognition they deserve. Therefore, I am going to give you some book, movie and music recommendations from various black creators that deserve much more recognition.

Books:

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing is a fantasy heart-wrenching tale of two sisters from Ghana who are born into different fates: one a slave, and the other a slave owners' wife. The story follows their different descendants for the next 300 years and shows the emotional and societal power that their families carry from a simple act of destiny. The difference in outcomes generations down the line is a prime matter that comes up again and again in relation to this book and can be transferred into real life situations of systemic racism that we see in the world today.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

This Y/A fantasy novel is about a dystopian future where magic is illegal and results in death if discovered. Zélie Adebola is the only one left in Orïsha with magic, as her friends and even her mother have been killed under the reign on the ruthless king, Maji. Zélie finally gets the chance to bring magic back to the land and destroy the monarchy, but it’ll come at a cost. Tomi Adeyemi, a Nigerian-American writer, illustrates a whimsical word of chaos that presents the reader with a strong sense of pride and warmth for what Zélie is able to overcome.

Women, Race and Class by Angela Davis

I am a person who really loves to educate myself, so I read non-fiction books like this all the time. But the thing that drew me to this was not the book itself, but the author: Angela Davis. If you don’t know her name, I advise that you get familiar with it. Davis is an American political activist, philosopher and author and is also a professor at the University of California. Davis was a prominent activist in the sixties during the American civil rights movement and was greatly influential to it. She showed, and still does, an immense amount of black pride and was even arrested in an attempt to destroy the morale of the people. Angela Davis was able to overcome these struggles and continue in the fight for freedom. This book is a powerful study by a powerful woman of the women's movement in the U.S. from abolitionist days to the present that demonstrates how it has always been hampered by the racist and classist biases of its leaders.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelo

Maya Angelo is another household name, well known for her stance as a civil rights activist. This acclaimed memoir, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,’ is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. During her time as an activist, Angelo experienced numerous emotionally damaging things and she displays them all in this memoir. Maya Angelo is even more well known for her poetry and has written multiple anthologies on them, and even wrote the poems for the infamous film ‘Poetic Justice’ (another iconic film that could’ve made this list). Her way with words is what landed her a major career and respected voice during a time when it was still so difficult to be heard.

Movies:

The Color Purple (Rated 15)

This one is a bit of a cheat as it is a book adapted into a movie but ignoring that, this story follows an abused and uneducated African American woman named Celie, who struggles greatly in life to escape the trauma of the abuse of her father and many others over four decades, and identity herself away from that. We first meet Celie when she is fourteen and pregnant with her father’s second child. The movies’ excellent depiction of post-emancipation struggles and female strength, along with severe racism and the abuse of power, combine to make a seriously thrilling and impressive piece of work!

Fruitvale Station (Rated 15)

I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that this is my all-time favourite movie. Fruitvale Station is an absolute tragic rendering of the real-life story of Oscar Grant, a black man who was the victim of a police shooting by San Francisco police of New Year's Day in 2009. There’s not much I can say about this without spoiling the whole concept but trust me when I say that this movie had me quite literally heaving with raging sobs. Although it’s my favourite movie, I really can’t watch it too much because I do not have enough water in my body to cry like that so often. The fact that it’s a true story makes every minute so much more captivating yet at the same time equally dreadful.

13th (Rated 15)

Now I know none of these movies have been particularly happy-go-lucky, but this one is especially thought-provoking as it is a documentary by Ava DuVernay (also the director of “When They See Us” which is another great limited serious that would be on this list if only there were more space) full of scholars, activists and political leaders (including Angela Davis) speaking on the major issue that is the American police system and its ties to slavery. Named after the 13th Amendment, which depicts a fine line between being a prisoner and a slave, this documentary discusses many conversations including the “War of Drugs,” corrupt politicians and white supremacist groups like the KKK. It packs a mighty amount of information all under two hours!

Harriet (Rated 12A)

I first heard of this movie a couple of weeks before it came out but I wasn’t too captivated at the time. It was when I heard the song ‘Stand Up’ from the soundtrack (an item on this list) that I could absolutely not endure another day without watching the movie that released this masterpiece. As you might have guessed from the title, it is a movie adaptation of the inspiring life of Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist and political activist. She was born into slavery and managed to escaped, despite the odds. Instead of settling, she took all the courage she had and over the course of her life made about 13 trips and freed 70 slaves using the Underground Railroad. This movie is a moving piece of work that leaves us in awe at the bravery of the people who did these things.

Songs

28 songs for the 28 days of February!

1. Slippin’ Into Darkness by WAR

2. A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke

3. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott-Heron

4. Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday

5. Black Woman by Emanuel

6. I Can’t Breathe by H.E.R

7. 2020 Riots: How Many Times by Trey Songz

8. U Will Know" by Black Men United

9. By Any Means by Jorja Smith

10. Time's a Wastin by Erykah Badu

11. Guarding the Gates by Lauren Hill

12. Glory by Common

13. Inner City Blues (Makes me Wanna Holler) by Gil Scott-Heron

14. Baltimore by Nina Simone

15. O-o-h Child by The Five Stairsteps

16. Living For The City by Stevie Wonder

17. Stand Up by Cynthia Erivo

18. No More Auction Block For Me by Odetta

19. Redemption Song by Bob Marley

20. Strength, Courage & Wisdom by India.Arie

21. NO MORE TEARDROPS by VIC MENSA

22. Keep Ya Head Up by Tupac

23. Freedom by Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar

24. Dear Mr. President by Kiana Lede

25. Optimistic by Sound of Blackness

26. I Cry by Usher

27. I JUST WANNA LIVE by Keedron Bryant

28. Hang on in There by John Legend


This article only contained a few pieces of work that I am personally familiar with but there are so many more out there that still do not get the recognition that they so truly deserve simply because of the ingrained bias that black people deal with regarding media and their portrayal in society. I encourage you to look into these items that I have recommended but to also do your own research. Black history cannot fit itself into a month and it shouldn’t have to! We need to give artists credit where credit is due; and it’s due time for them to receive it.

By Wumi Obi