Netflix continued: ‘When you log onto Netflix today, you will see a carefully curated list of titles that only begin to tell the complex and layered stories about racial injustice and Blackness in America. ’
The collection consists of a wide range of films and TV series, including the latest drama from Spike Lee Da 5 Bloods, which was released on 12th June, and two of filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s most prominent works; When They See Us (about the Central Park Five) and Academy Award-nominated 13th, exploring the ‘intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States’.
It comes as peaceful protests over racial inequality and police brutality continue to take place across the world, and as millions of allies pledge to further their anti-racism by educating themselves about systemic racism and white privilege.
It also follows Netflix’s removal of The Help, which quickly became one of the most-watched movies on the site earlier this month, yet was written and directed by two white creators and hinges on the archetypal ‘white saviour’ Hollywood trope.
Needless to say, that is not the type of material that should be used an educational resource on race and the history of racial inequality.
Netflix has curated a collection of films, TV shows, stand-up specials and documentaries under the tag ‘Black Lives Matter’, to highlight stories about the Black experience and the ongoing battle against racial injustice.
On 10th June, the streaming giant tweeted: ‘When we say “Black Lives Matter,” we also mean “Black storytelling matters. ” With an understanding that our commitment to true, systemic change will take time – we’re starting by highlighting powerful and complex narratives about the Black experience. ’
So, here are some of the best films and TV series on Netflix that should be used to educate yourself on Black Lives Matter…
