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Let’s be clear right from the top — celebrating Black stories and Black creators should be a to-do 365 days a year.
Of course, it’s February. So what better time to learn the history of Black excellence than during Black History Month?
Amid America’s reckoning on race, streaming platforms are putting Black storytelling front and center. And it’s not just your typical historical fare like the hit “Roots” or “Selma.”
When it comes to Black history, it’s important to recognize the traumatic struggle Black people have faced for centuries — and continue to face even in 2021. But as my CNN colleague John Blake has pointed out, there are so many slices of Black life that are filled with beauty and joy.
So if there is one change you can make in your streaming selections this year, be intentional in seeking out both the stories of systemic racism and the trauma-free moments.
There is plenty to watch in honor of the culture. Here are a few options to get you started.
“Judas and the Black Messiah”: Shaka King’s new film illustrates the life of Fred Hampton (played by Daniel Kaluuya), the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, through the eyes of William O’Neal, who is recruited to infiltrate the Panthers as an FBI informant and obtain information that results in Hampton’s death.
CNN’s Brandon Tensley wrote about why the power of the Black Panthers still endures today and some of the misconceptions people have about the group.
The film is streaming on HBO Max, which is a unit of CNN’s parent company, WarnerMedia.
— Source: CNN’
