If a picture is worth a thousand words, a film should be able to generate quite a robust conversation. Queuing up a movie that tells the stories of people, events, and instances that shaped race relations in America is a fantastic way to engage every member of your family in a dialogue about Black history, from young children all the way up to grandma and grandpa. With plenty of films available that are suitable for young children as well as adults, there’s a long list of options to screen for your next family movie night, which should be followed by a household discussion on what the takeaway from the story was. Here are a few suggestions for family-friendly films that are sure to edu-tain your household.
'Harriet'
Telling the tale of Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist and conductor for the Underground Railroad, Harriet revisits the mid-1800s, including the time of the American Civil War. Through acts of courage and determination, Harriet, nicknamed “Moses” for her legendary leadership, fights against slavery by helping to free Black people held in captivity, an existence she survived and escaped by herself. Because slavery was such a brutal and violent event that lasted hundreds of years, family-friendly movies that go back in time to tell the story of enslaved people, as Harriet does, are hard to come by but important to see nonetheless. This PG-13 rated film is a necessary addition to any family movie night.
'Selma'
Directed by Ava DuVernay and led by a star-studded cast, Selma is an unforgettable work of visual storytelling. Through the eyes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the movie covers several notable instances that happened during the civil rights movement, including the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church that killed four Black girls in Birmingham, Alabama; the encouraging relationships cemented between Black leaders; and the famed march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, finalized by Dr. King’s powerful “How Long, Not Long” speech, delivered on March 25, 1965. Though violence against Black people is re-created in the PG-13 rated movie, Selma provides excellent context for what African Americans had to go through during the civil rights movement.
'42'
Released in 2013, 42 is a biopic about Jackie Robinson, the first Black Major League Baseball player. Following Jackie through the Negro baseball leagues, minor leagues, and eventual integration into the MLB, the film shows the emotional turmoil, threats of violence, and overly aggressive play from opposing teams that he experienced just to be able to play the game that he loved and excelled in. Though hate and bigotry tried to separate Jackie from the Brooklyn Dodgers, the team came to unite and go on to play in the World Series, proving that racism can be overcome when solidarity and teamwork are embraced.
'Hidden Figures'
Set in 1961, Hidden Figures depicts what it was like to be Black and female by telling the story of three women who strived to be considered equal to their white male peers at NASA. The movie follows Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan, all mathematicians among the best minds in the world, yet denied fair treatment and inclusion for work they contributed to, including helping John Glenn Jr. become the first American to orbit Earth. By revealing the abhorrent conditions of segregated workplaces, including “colored only” bathrooms requiring a half-mile walk for Black people and departments separated by race and gender, Hidden Figures explores the difficulty of navigating through a divided world during the civil rights era.
'Ruby Bridges'
Based on the true story of the titular character, Ruby Bridges was released to TV audiences in 1998. The film follows 6-year-old Ruby, the first Black student to be integrated into the formerly all-white William Frantz Public School in 1960 New Orleans, Louisiana. Escorted by US marshals through a crowd of adults spewing hateful language, Ruby courageously pursues her right to equal education for herself and other marginalized Black children. This movie is ideal to watch as a family, especially because it shows how Ruby and her mother and father were affected by racism in different ways while seeking social justice.
'Remember the Titans'
Although some of the film is fictionalized, Remember the Titans is derived from the true story of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1971, schools that were once segregated merged to form T.C. Williams High. The Disney film tells the story of how the school’s football team united amidst racial tension, setting an example for citizens of the town to follow. Using the idea of sportsmanship to encourage peace, this movie will tug on the heartstrings of any sports fanatic in your home.
