15 things to watch to educate yourself about systemic racism

Gabbi ShawJun 20, 2024, 21:14 IST

"Loving."Focus Features

The US still has a long way to go in terms of systemic racism, inequality, and police brutality.
Here are 15 movies and TV shows that are a good place to start educating yourself.

Reading books and watching documentaries is a part of education, but fictional movies or dramatizations of real stories can be equally as illuminating.

June 19 was Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. To mark the holiday, we picked 15 movies and TV shows that will help people understand the history of racism in this country, from the Martin Luther King Jr. biopic "Selma" to the 1961 film "A Raisin in the Sun," to the horror-comedy "Get Out."

Keep scrolling for our recommendations of movies and TV shows to watch to educate yourself.

In 2018's "The Hate U Give," high school student Starr finds her voice as an activist after her friend is shot by a police officer in front of her.

"The Hate U Give."20th Century Fox

Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx starred in "Just Mercy" in 2019, which is based on the real case of Walter McMillian and his lawyer Bryan Stevenson.

"Just Mercy."Photo: Jake Giles Netter

Ava DuVernay's Netflix miniseries, "When They See Us," is based on the case of the Central Park Five, a group of teenagers who were wrongfully convicted in the rape of a jogger.

"When They See Us."Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix

Ava DuVernay's Netflix miniseries, "When They See Us," is based on the case of the Central Park Five, a group of teenagers who were wrongfully convicted in the rape of a jogger.

"Loving" is about the real-life couple Richard and Mildred Loving, who were at the center of the Supreme Court case that took down the ban on interracial marriage.

"Loving."Big Beach Films

Ryan Coogler's directorial debut, "Fruitvale Station," tells the story of the last day of Oscar Grant's life before he was shot in the back by a police officer.

"Fruitvale Station."The Weinstein Company

David Oyelowo completely inhabits the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma," which follows the Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965.

"Selma."Paramount Pictures

"Get Out" is both a horror movie and a critique on so-called "woke" white people.

"Get Out."Universal Studios

The 1961 film "A Raisin in the Sun," based on the play of the same name, remains relevant over 60 years later.

"A Raisin in the Sun."Columbia Pictures

"If Beale Street Could Talk," based on the James Baldwin novel of the same name, is about a couple who has to deal with a false rape accusation and racist police.

"If Beale Street Could Talk."Annapurna Pictures

Spike Lee's seminal film "Do the Right Thing" takes place on the hottest day of the summer in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bed-Stuy.

"Do the Right Thing."Universal

Lee's 2018 film "BlacKkKlansman" is also worth a watch.

"BlacKkKlansman" was directed by Spike Lee.Focus Features

Boots Riley's absurdist black comedy "Sorry to Bother You" is both a satirical takedown of capitalism and a critique on racism in the workplace.

"Sorry to Bother You."Annapurna

"Hidden Figures" is an empowering movie about the Black women who helped the US win the space race.

"Hidden Figures."20th Century Fox

"Judas and the Black Messiah" is a biopic about the betrayal of Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton by William O'Neal, who was manipulated by the FBI.

"Judas and the Black Messiah."Warner Bros. Pictures

"Dear White People" is a satirical look at what being Black at a predominantly white university is like.

"Dear White People."Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions

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15 things to watch to educate yourself about systemic racism

In 2018's "The Hate U Give," high school student Starr finds her voice as an activist after her friend is shot by a police officer in front of her.

Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx starred in "Just Mercy" in 2019, which is based on the real case of Walter McMillian and his lawyer Bryan Stevenson.

Ava DuVernay's Netflix miniseries, "When They See Us," is based on the case of the Central Park Five, a group of teenagers who were wrongfully convicted in the rape of a jogger.

"Loving" is about the real-life couple Richard and Mildred Loving, who were at the center of the Supreme Court case that took down the ban on interracial marriage.

Ryan Coogler's directorial debut, "Fruitvale Station," tells the story of the last day of Oscar Grant's life before he was shot in the back by a police officer.

David Oyelowo completely inhabits the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma," which follows the Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965.

"Get Out" is both a horror movie and a critique on so-called "woke" white people.

The 1961 film "A Raisin in the Sun," based on the play of the same name, remains relevant over 60 years later.

"If Beale Street Could Talk," based on the James Baldwin novel of the same name, is about a couple who has to deal with a false rape accusation and racist police.

Spike Lee's seminal film "Do the Right Thing" takes place on the hottest day of the summer in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bed-Stuy.

Lee's 2018 film "BlacKkKlansman" is also worth a watch.

Boots Riley's absurdist black comedy "Sorry to Bother You" is both a satirical takedown of capitalism and a critique on racism in the workplace.

"Hidden Figures" is an empowering movie about the Black women who helped the US win the space race.

"Judas and the Black Messiah" is a biopic about the betrayal of Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton by William O'Neal, who was manipulated by the FBI.

"Dear White People" is a satirical look at what being Black at a predominantly white university is like.