Throughout history, Black people have been shunned for expressing the happiness of certain artistic viewpoints different from other races. The beauty of Black History displays Black culture through movies, TV shows and musical moments that shaped how black culture as a whole. As Black history month comes to an end, here are some of my favorite Black pop culture moments in movies and TV shows.
Movies
This Oscar winning emotional coming of age film is about an African American boy growing up in Miami, Florida, exploring his journey towards manhood while struggling with his relationship with kindness, love and prosperity. Dealing with the emotional and neglectful relationship with his mother, Chiron feels a sense of love from his male best friend, relating to his perspective of love and his change of sexuality. Director Barry Jenkins highlights the struggles of Black mental health, Black parental issues and the rapid growth into adulthood. Yet Jenkins expresses the growth into Black queerness and the beauty of finding your own journey in life.
A duplication of the original Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her gang begins a journey on their way to Oz. This feel good movie starring Diana Ross brings a highlight to Black filming. As many black films’ main point is aimed towards trauma, this recreation of a classic fantasy shows black beauty and overcoming conflict with a stunning Black cast and cinematic masterpiece.
Superhero T’Challa, known as Black Panther, is the king of Wakanda in this Marvel Studios film. This action packed movie centers around T’Challa facing Killmonger, who is wanting to enact revenge against T’Challa for the death of his father. This film centers a majority black cast and, historically, Marvel’s first Black director, Ryan Coogler. Black Panther being one of Marvels highest grossing films while centering around black identity and a Black superhero shows a lot about the diversity of films Black people can create.
Tv Shows
This comedy television show Abbott Elementary, centers around Black teachers in an all black school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Creator and actor of the main character Quinta Brunson, displays such comedic and hilarious nature with the writing and directorial style of the show. This show is such a light hearted feeling, with an almost all Black cast, with diversity of characters, from the main characters to even the students in the show. Ongoing on their fourth season with a fifth season renewal, this show is worth the watch, may possibly leave you with tears of laughter.
Insecure beautifully shows Black culture and Black women in the shows run. Starring Issa Rae, the show follows main character Issa exploring life in Southern California as being a nerdy Black woman. This series followed many topics like Black love, building relationships and Black girlhood. This comedic yet heartfelt comedy displays beautiful aspects of Black culture in the South.
