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AL EIDO SCOPE
FEB 2021
The Leaders of the Movement
Finding Black History in Birmingham Kidd Rifft Rides on
Illustrated by Jada Nguyen
Black History Month
“NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE”
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About our cover by Jada Nguyen, artist Entering the Spring semester and taking my first ever print-making class, I knew I wanted to have my first assignment correlate to Black History Month. The tension between Minority groups and Black lives should never be questioned, yet it has always been. While all BIPOC fall prey to the hands of white privilege, minority groups have internalized self-hate and hatred towards other POC, in the
aims of better fitting into our predominately whiteowned society. We have turned against one another for years prior and some continue to do so. I wanted to dedicate this piece to all the Vietnamese people that are in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement. I know that many of our family members are quick to point out Black stereotypes that have been fed to them. I heard how Black people are “dirty”, “dangerous” or “lazy” and how I should be lucky I’m not Black. Asians have been used as the “Model Minority” since they persevered from
From the
Kaleidoscope Archives
the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and believe that all other minority groups should work in the way that we have “worked” or should behave in a way that we have “behaved”. The truth of the matter is that BIPOC will never be white. That as much as Asian people long for White acceptance; our accents, our eye shape our skin color... tell otherwise. “No Justice, No peace.”
February 16, 2016
Black Lives Matter cofounder Opal Tometi speaks at UAB “Really we’re in a
fight for all black lives. We don’t believe that there’s one exceptional, respectable person that deserves to be a leader or the one that we’re fighting for.”
Photo by Angela Hollowell, The Kaleidoscope
- Opal Tometi
Letter from the Editor
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Dear UAB, Thank you for reading our Black History Month virtual magazine. This edition is special to us and our hope is that this will bring honor to the significance this month holds. Black History Month is a time to honor the Black community and celebrate the lives, legacies and accomplishments of Black individuals. While that is incredibly important throughout the month of February, that philosophy is needed every day of the year. In this publication, you will find articles introducing you to Black owned businesses, Black musicians, artist features, opinion pieces and more. We will also take you on a virtual journey that showcases Birmingham’s very own Black history. Kaleidoscope stands with Black UAB students and community members. We want to share your stories and experiences with audience members. UAB’s diverse student body is filled with students of all backgrounds. While we will not all share identical life experiences, it’s imperative that we unite and care for our fellow Blazers. Representation holds importance within UAB’s Student Media department, which is why we’re excited to unveil a new feature on our website during this semester. We will have a section of student media’s website that focuses entirely on content featuring Black students and community members. We will let you know when that becomes available, so be sure to check out our social media pages for updates. Thank you again for taking the time to read our magazine, this means more to us than you know. Sincerely,
Emma Owen, Kaleidoscope Editor-in-Chief
STAFF Editor in Chief Emma Owen Managing Editor Hannah Richey City/Lifestyle Editor Caleb Wood Arts Editor Jada Nguyen Writers Sindhu Dwarampudi Mikayla Hammock Holley House Jackson Ragland Tyler Szczudlak Anjali Thottaserry
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Black History Month
Table of contents Voices
Melanin isn’t sunscreen............................................................... Page 6
What does Black History Month mean to you.......... Page 8 Performative activism.................................................................. Page 10
The 205 History in the 205............................................................................... Page 12 History in the making...................................................................... Page 18 Civil Rights figures of Alabama............................................... Page 20
On a binge Anti-racism is just the start........................................................Page 23 Kidd Rifft rides on.............................................................................. Page 24 Black History on Screen in 2020...........................................Page 26 10 Must read titles by Black authors ................................. Page 28
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by MIKAYLA HAMMOCK
Melanin isn’t sunscreen
Many of us with darker complexions have probably been told that we don’t need to wear sunscreen because we have more melanin. This is a myth that has been passed down for far too long. Although melanin does shield off some UV rays, it is nowhere near enough on its own. Dr. Michelle Henry from Weil Medical College said she recommends “SPF 30 for daily use and SPF 50 whenever you are outside for more than an hour.” This misconception that melanin can work in place of sunscreen has made the black community more vulnerable to skin issues, ranging from hyperpigmentation to cancer. This was discussed in an interview with the skin cancer foundation. Dr. Andrew Alexis, chair of the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai West in New York City said
various studies found that melanomas are diagnosed at a later stage in Black patients than white patients, increasing its mortality rate amongst people of color. He attributes this to a lack of public awareness of the risk of skin cancer in Black patients. He states that the most important way to avoid this is the frequent use of sunscreen. Some people may also have been put off sunscreen by the unflattering whitecast that leaves a chalky white residue. To avoid this, Dr. Alexis recommends “formulations that have nanoparticles, where the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been micronized to limit the chalky look, tend to work well on darker skin tones. Skincare is progressing, and there is now a growing variety of options for clear whitecastfree sunscreen. Here are a few options to consider.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKAYLA HAMMOCK
Be seen in these sunscreens:
•The Ultra Sheer SPF 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen is made by and for Black people. It goes on clear, leaving no whitecast. •Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 lives up to its name, it goes on clear and can’t be seen once rubbed in. •UV Clear Facial Sunscreen BroadSpectrum SPF 46 is a good option for acneprone skin. It’s formula includes niacinamide and lactic acid, which help reduce acne. •CLEAR Ultra-Light Daily Fluid SPF 30+ is a non comedogenic, oil free sunscreen that won’t leave you greasy. •Krave Beauty The Beet Shield is SPF 50 and is made with beetroot extract, vitamin C and allantoin, which helps to even the skin. •Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion is a lightweight sunscreen that leaves no whitecast.
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What does Black History Month mean to you? by Holley House
“I feel that Black History Month is a time to express gratitude to all who came before us and worked so hard to be accepted in a country where most times their voices were left unheard. However, Black History Month is also a time to acknowledge that we are currently making history ourselves.” -Odyssey Crowell, sophomore in Medical Sophomore
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“We see the same staples during Black History Month every year: Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Malcom X. Those staples are amazing, and we appreciate them, but we tend to forget about the average people, the unspoken man, who fought for us. You never hear about all the sharecroppers who were cheated out of their money, or the moms who went to vote and lost their jobs so those after them could vote. It’s not just the stories we know, it’s the stories that are unknown that made a difference.” -Ashley Martin-Lee, Jefferson County Bus Driver
“Since 1976, the United States has recognized and celebrated Black History Month. Founded by Black historian and author, Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month allows a time for people to reflect on the accomplishments of Black Americans. But, as I reflect on this month I have to believe that Black History Month is not only a time to reflect on the accomplishments of Black people, but to also acknowledge the strength and perseverance of Black Americans in the face of insurmountable odds. In 1619, the first African slaves were brought to the shores of the Americas creating a system of chattel slavery that would create a racial hierarchy placing African people as less than human. Through all of violence and trauma Black people have not only survived but have thrived and been major contributors to American culture and society. Every Black History Month I am proud to say that I am a descendant of those who were brought here and enslaved but found a way to live and make a way for many other generations.” -Christopher Jones, Director of the Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs division of UAB’s Office of Student Affairs
Photos courtesy of Odyssey Crowell, Ashley Martin-Lee and UAB Image Gallery
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Performative Activism by Jada Nguyen Terms to know: Ally, Advocate and Activist? Activists: Are on the front lines of change. They are the most engaged and leaders of the agenda at hand. They typically dedicate most of their livelihood towards a specific cause and often hold those in power accountable for their wrong doings. Advocates: Are patrons or supporters for the work of activists. They donate, lobby and drive to spread the message to a broader audience around the world. They both raise awareness and fund activist efforts. Ally: Allies typically share their support through social media or their social circle. They are willing to educate themselves about the efforts of activists and advocates.
ACTIVISM Before we get into performative activism, we must understand the importance of activism. Activist efforts campaign for societal, political, environmental or even economic reform with the aims of changing society for the greater good. Activism has proven to be beneficial as people strive towards something bigger than themselves. Activism that promotes basic human rights brings gratification that benefits one’s well-being—people will appear to be happier or even satisfied with life when they work with their peers to improve society in general. It’s said
that activism can: 1. Be rewarding. Lobbying, advocating or standing up for others that are in need (especially for those that can’t) can be defined as heroism. 2. Help channel anger. It can help advocates avoid the trauma or burnout that occurs when anger is not handled in an efficient or healthy manner. 3. Provide a purpose in life. Allowing purpose or fulfillment in life helps people maintain optimism amid all the horrors and dangers life may bring.
K 11 PERFORMATIVE ACTIVISM Now what marks the difference between performative activism and activism? After all they’re still doing principally good deeds, right? Performance activism is a form of activism that’s used to increase one’s social status or personal gain. Performative activism lacks the genuine support towards an issue or movement in exchange for appearing to be an active member of society. Performative activists only act as “allies” when it is most useful to them, being viewed as an ally (by society) allows them to avoid criticism or backlash. “Allyship” has been recently scrutinized for its low engagement and has been deemed as insincere, lazy or opportunistic— performative activism has even gone as far as to be named “#slacktivism” across social media platforms.
Performative activism brings up several issues: 1. Following trends that promote activist movements to save yourself from being called racist, ignorant, sexist etc. is an inability to understand or acknowledge the true problems at hand. 2. Performative activism is a sign of silence—it shows unwillingness to take actions in real life. By not holding yourself or others accountable for their wrongdoings, nothing will ever get done or change. Social media posts of “solidarity” is hypocritical and is more harmful than good. 3. It brings up issues of racial gaslighting which deflects important conversations about race and silences BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) voices. Shutting out BIPOC dialogues, that are hopeful of change, causes them to become aloof and unable to speak out. Activism is for people who are truly fed up with how things are being operated. They are tired and dedicated individuals in providing change that needs to be done. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and performance activism is a joke that subsides all the hard work that activists do. Reforming the system isn’t easy and not everyone will agree with it—but the last thing that any BIPOC wants is for fake allies to profit off the many years of oppression that we have faced.
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History in the 205 by Hannah Richey Birmingham has been an important location of Black history in the south spanning since before the Civil Rights movement and after it. For the purpose of learning about one of the most important periods in Alabama history, here is a collection of a few place in and near Birmingham.
Kelly Ingram Park
Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Picryl
Kelly Ingram Park was the central location of the protests organized by Reverend James Bevel in May 1963. In 1992, the park was renovated alongside the founding of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute as “A Place of Revolution and Reconciliation.” Bevel was originally from Mississippi and became the director of Direct Action and Nonviolent Education for the SCLC and organized the Children’s Crusade. This was the event often shown in media about the Civil Rights Movement where Police commissioner Bull Conner used police dogs and fire hoses against children. The park has statues depicting the events of the protests as well as memorials of those who made the movement possible. The park has a guided audio tour available by calling 205-307-5455. The park is free to visit.
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The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute was founded in November 1992. The museum is self-guided and includes exhibits showing the founding of Birmingham in 1871 to the present history of human rights. Their mission includes a commitment to telling and preserving the story of Birmingham and creating an environment that facilitates dialogue and understanding. Visitors can also see special exhibits that change from time to time. The permanent exhibits include the Barriers gallery, Confrontation gallery, Movement gallery, and the Human Rights gallery. Also available for free is the oral history project which has been digitized with more being added. Tickets for college students are $13 with i.d. and $15 for non-student adults.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Photo courtesy of Picryl
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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame museum is located inside Carver Performing Arts Theater, historically a place where African Americans were able to see first-run movies during segregation. The museum portion honors Alabama’s great jazz musicians and seeks to educate the public about jazz’s legacy as music indigenous to the U.S. The museum contains memorabilia from notable jazz artists such as Dinah Washington and Nat King Cole. They also host free jazz classes to the public every Saturday morning. They also have Birmingham’s only jazz-exclusive radio station WAJH 91.1FM. It’s currently closed for tours but when it reopens guided tours are available upons reservation. Photo courtesy of Picryl
K 15 16th Street Baptist Church
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Photo courtesy of GetArchive
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The 16th Street Baptist Church was the site of a bombing by the Klan. The bombing killed four girls aged 11-14 years-old and injured others in the area. It was also the first Black Baptist church in Birmingham, organized in 1873. The current building was constructed in 1911. The bombing was also part of President Johnson’s reason for passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Two of the KKK members responsible were prosecuted by former senator Doug Jones when he was U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. The church hosted many meetings during the civil rights era and was an important place of organizing protests and decision making. The church is still in operation and anyone is welcome to join the congregation for their worship services at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays via Facebook live. The church is currently closed for tours.
16 K Bethel Baptist Church Bethel Baptist Church was an important structure for the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. It was the meeting place for the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR) under the leadership of Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth. The ACMHR was formed and organized in Bethel Baptist Church in response to a ban on the NAACP in Alabama. The church was bombed three times, including one attempt that nearly killed Shuttlesworth and his family. However, the church never missed a service amidst the attempts to destroy it. Photo courtesy of Picryl
Photo courtesy of Picryl
K 17 Legacy Museum & National Memorial for Peace and Justice The Legacy Museum was founded by the Equal Justice Initiative in 2018 and is located in Montgomery, Alabama. The tour is self-guided and utilizes technology to show the horrors of racism in the U.S. from slavery to mass incarceration. It located on the site where enslaved people were housed between auctions and one block from a former slave auction space. It is also home to the most comprehensive collection of data on lynching. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is a memorial to lynching victims and can be accessed by a bus that leaves from the Legacy Museum. It contains blocks for counties with recorded lynching’s and the names of the victims.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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History in the Making PETTWAY SERVES AS JEFFERSON COUNTY’S FIRST BLACK SHERIFF by Emma Owen When Mark Pettway became Jefferson County’s first Black Sheriff in 2018, he said he had a goal of creating positive change for the very community he was raised in.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK PETTWAY
Growing up in Smithfield, Pettway said negative experiences with officers inspired him to become an officer himself. He said he wanted to change the system through his own actions.
“I reached out and I started with law enforcement as a correctional officer, and I said, no, this is not where the change is going to be at, then I became police officer,” Pettway said. “I felt more of an opportunity to change and became part of the community when I worked as a police officer in Fairfield. I really loved it, the community loved me, I loved the community and the kids loved me.” Pettway said diversity is important among first responders. He said he remembers a time, not so long ago, when this wasn’t possible. “We’ve gotten a chance now to level the playing field- to be equal, and to have opportunities to become police chiefs and sheriffs,” Pettway said. “The opportunity has been afforded to us and it’s important that we do a good job while we’re in these positions.” According to datausa.com, just over
12% of the nation’s police officers are Black. Pettway said representation matters in this career. For Pettway, he said Black History Month is a time to reflect on the accomplishments of past and present Black leaders. Pettway said he recognizes the strides that have been made locally as well. “The first black (person) on the city council grew up right in my community two blocks away from me,” Pettway said. “Angela Davis grew up three blocks from me. She was very well known in the 70’s for being wanted by the government for some of the things that she did, to protest and
to try to show that the system was not fair. I grew up not far from the first Black judge here within Jefferson County. So there’s a lot of firsts right in the community where I grew up and I’m proud of the community.” When it comes to community outreach, Pettway said this is a very important element of the job. “Law enforcement is something that has affected the community I come from (in) sort of a negative way,” Pettway said. “And I’ve wanted to try to change that light to a more positive light in our campaign on bridging the gap between law enforcement, and the community.” According to the
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Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office website, part of that change will come in the form of a literacy campaign. “Through a partnership with the American Federation of Teachers, deputies distribute books while on patrol in communities,” The website said. Pettway said he is passionate about service through his role as sheriff. “You know, I’m just thankful to God to be able to have this opportunity to be here, humbled to be able to be a servant of the people,” Pettway said. “I truly love serving. I love being in this role to serve the individuals here in Jefferson County.”
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Kaleidoscope Story
Joining Kaleidoscope was the best decision I made in college. I learned so much more from being involved there than I did in any of my classes. My writing improved so much. I look back on some of the first pieces I wrote and laugh at myself for how bad they seem compared to the work I did toward the end. I also met some amazing people, both within the organization and from sources that I interviewed. I will always look back with love for Kaleidoscope for giving me the opportunity to grow.
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Civil Rights Figures of Alabama by Hannah Richey
The civil rights movement in Alabama was the result of countless hardworking people coming together. Their work culminated in landmark Supreme Court cases and encouraged others to believe that change is possible. This is not an exhaustive list of figures from this movement. For more information you can visit blackpast.org and the King Institute.
Fred Gray
Fred Gray is the attorney who represented major figures of the civil right movement including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. He was born in Montgomery, Alabama and opened his law office there in 1954. He is most known for his legal work on the Montgomery bus boycott, but he also went before the Supreme Court in Gomillion v. Lightfoot where he argued against the boundaries drawn for the Tuskegee city limits created after African Americans in the city began registering to vote. This case set a precedent against gerrymandering by race.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Mary Fair Burkes founded the Women’s Political Council (WPC) in Montgomery, Alabama in 1949. She was also head of the English department at Alabama State College. The organization sought to increase the political activity of Black women in Montgomery and Burkes eventually found herself at the core of the Montgomery bus boycott with Jo Anne Robinson and Rosa Parks. Burks and the WPC were instrumental in ending segregation on city buses by meeting consistently with the mayor of Montgomery for years to achieve their goals.
Mary Fair Burkes
Photo courtesy of Picryl
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Photo courtesy of Picryl
E.D. Nixon
Jo Anne Robinson was a cofounder of the WPC and friend of Mary Burkes. She was one of many, including Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks, who had experiences of being removed from buses or forced to move to the back or stand. Robinson was one of the figures who headed the bus boycott by creating flyers for the first boycott of just one day and then organizing the carpool that assisted in successfully extending the boycott. She wrote a memoir on her life “The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Women Who Started It: The Memoir of Jo Ann Gibson Robinson.”
E.D. Nixon was a leader of the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) which also helped lead the Montgomery busy boycotts. He was also a union organizer, encouraged to do so after becoming acquainted with socialist labor organizer A. Phillip Randolph. Nixon also served as state president of the NAACP. He was an advocate for the inclusion of low-income Black people in the activism of the organizations he was part of. He also worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and encouraged him to be president of the MIA.
Photos couresy of GetArchive
Fred L. Shuttlesworth Fred Shuttlesworth was a prominent leader during the civil rights movement. He served as reverend of Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham and founded the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR) and Southern Christian Leadership Conferences (SCLC). He was one of the leaders of the Birmingham Campaign which sought to put economic pressure on Birmingham businesses to end segregation. He also helped organize the Freedom Riders’ ride into Birmingham. Shuttlesworth was a close associate of King’s and was behind countless efforts to end segregation.
Juhee Agrawal’s Kaleidoscope Story “Kaleidoscope gave me a unique insight into the media reporting world, and it made me more inquisitive in hearing the stories of those around me. UAB has a lot of organizations doing great work, and I loved using my platform as a reporter to amplify them. I loved the people at Kaleidoscope and seeing the story ideas in brainstorming sessions make it to the paper.”
-Class of 2020 UCLA Medical School
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On a Binge Arts & Culture
Anti-Racism is just the start by Caleb Wood
The increased national conversation surrounding race that occurred in the wake of the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor saw with it a demand for works by Black creators. This demand led to what became a ubiquitous sight: the anti-racism reading and watch lists. Across the internet, in cozy Instagram graphics and in national publications, the lists poured in. They are typically filled with nonfiction books “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” or “Between the World and Me” or “Beloved” or “Their Eyes Were Watching God” to cover the fiction bases. You might movies like “Do the Right Thing” or “Get Out” populating the film versions of those same lists. Many of these works are things that should be read or watched.
These lists, however, often have a key flaw: they encourage people to consume Black art solely as education. Black experiences are watered down into learning tools for non-Black people. Consuming art as simply a learning tool can result in losing some of its finer qualities. Whether it’s the prose of Jesmyn Ward novels or the shots of Steve McQueen’s camera, these works deserve to be admired for their artistic expression as much as what they can teach. This has been said before, but as we prepare to give a couple of lists of our own, it feels important to say again. Some of the works we selected for
Photos courtesy of Google Images
these lists could find themselves onto an anti-racism reading or watchlist. But they are more than just learning tools, they are vibrant pieces of art with a variety of merits in form and context. We hope you take to the time to enjoys some of the works we suggest, and we hope you enjoy hope as the multifaceted pieces they are.
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Kidd Rifft rides on
Navigating the music industry during a pandemic
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by EMMA OWEN
Keep up with Kidd While life has changed for many throughout the pandemic, one Blazer never lost sight of his goals within the music industry. When Kaleidoscope featured Rubin Stinson last year, he was a student musician at UAB. Now, Stinson is a recent graduate of the university. In the past year, he has released new music, created music videos and has gained thousands of listeners. Stinson’s recent song, “One Less Lonely Girl,” received over 56,000 streams on Spotify. Stinson said this was a special accomplishment, as it was the first song he produced himself. “I engineered the song by myself,” Stinson said. “So it’s a pretty big accomplishment for me to make a professional sounding song like that and to get as many streams as it did.” Like many other artists, Stinson said his plans for music were changed because of the pandemic. That didn’t stop him though, Stinson said he had to find new ways to promote his music. “I found myself spending a little less time making music and more time on the business side of things like marketing, and just putting my music out there in front of new people,” Stinson said.
“COVID happened and I was just trying to figure out how I can increase my brand and increase my exposure on internet, because that’s kind of like the parallel to being out there in public just doing it on the internet.” As for Kidd Rifft’s future, he said he hopes to release an EP this fall. “The name is “Cozy” and I cannot wait for people to hear the song,” Stinson said. “It’s such a such a good melody and message behind it. I think anybody who listens to it will love it for real. It’s a different sound, a great message.” Stinson said he and musician Jarrett Anthony have released songs on SoundCloud. Stinson said the love song, “Keeper” will likely be released close to Valentine’s Day. Jarrett Anthony said he enjoys working with Rubin because he’s a consistent musician. “I think it’s important to mention that he just has a God given talent,” Anthony said. “He’s able to freestyle with ease all while being lyrical and including metaphors. This gift allows him to provide a quick and quality turnaround time when you need a verse or you are working on an entire project all together.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUBIN STINSON
Kidd Rifft kidd-rifft _rifft
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Black History on Screen in 2020
by Caleb Wood It may not have been a great year overall, but 2020 was a strong year for Black filmmakers. Shows like Michaela Coel’s “I May Destroy You” and movies like Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” are considered amongst the year’s best, with good reason. Within these shows and movies, a certain type stands out: the historical movie. These works are essential in the way they help frame and build our understanding of major historical events that are too far often not known because of systemic racism in the creation of
history course curriculum. These works are not straight history, though. They each build on the richness of their historical sources to create new worlds. From the Tulsa Massacre to Mangrove Nine, from pioneering to abolition, each of these maintain a strong historical basis, but the worlds and characters that inhabit them are the work of art. To stream each movie or show, just click its title and you will be sent to its official website.
Lovecraft Country
Jurnee Smollett in “Lovecraft Country” Photo courtesy of HBO
As you might expect from the title, “Lovecraft Country” is not straight history. It’s a pastiche of Lovecraftian horror and pulp sci-fi, but the true horror is from real-life racism. The actual horrors are never as much a threat as sundown towns, police brutality or white mob violence. Yet “Lovecraft Country” is not another story of suffering. Above all, this is a story of Black triumph in the face of unending obstacles. It a story of a familyfinding their power.
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The Good Lord Bird
Adapted from James McBride’s novel, “The Good Lord Bird” takes a different approach to telling the story of John Brown (Ethan Hawke). The story is told by Henry (Joshua Caleb Johnson) a former slave that Brown “rescued” and mistook for a girl. Despite its serious subject matter, the show is never afraid to embrace a comedic tone. In doing so, we see not just John Brown but the coming of age of a Heny alongside him.
Joshua Caleb Johnson & Ethan Hawke in “The Good Lord Bird” Photo courtesy of Showtime
Small Axe
A scene from “Small Axe: Lover’s Rock” Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios
One Night in Miami Based on a play and set in one hotel room the night after Muhammed Ali’s (then going as Cassius Clay) victory over Sonny Liston, it is easy to imagine a snooze-inducing version of this movie, yet the final result is fascinating to watch. Four titans of twentieth century culture – Muhammed Ali, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke and Malcolm X – have a heated discussion for two hours that you can’t look away from.
A collection of five films from Black British director Steve McQueen, “Small Axe” attempts to fill in the holes of the often-overlooked Black British history. The five stories focus on the experiences of Caribbean immigrants in the United Kingdom from the 60s to 80s. Humanity is the term best to describe McQueen’s films. They are filled to the brim with it, in its best and worst aspects, lending a level of understanding to a people that are severely underrepresented overwise.
Eli Goree as Muhammed Ali in “One Night in Miami” Photos courtesy of Amazon Studios
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10 Must-Read Titles by Black Authors by Holley House
My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Korede is tired of cleaning up her sister’s messes – specifically the ones she makes after murdering her boyfriends. This is a fast-paced, darkhumored, witty story that you just won’t be able to put down.
This story follows twin sisters who have grown up in a Black community in the Deep South. However, tensions form when, after leaving home, one sister decides to live her life as Black, while the other wants to pass as white. Touching on subjects such as family, race and identity, this book is an The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon incredible read. It also made Barack Obama’s This sweet, smart favorite books of 2020 romantic comedy features amazing, list. diverse female friendships and a swoony workplace romance that you won’t want to miss.
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
This is a brilliant coming-of-age novel that takes place against the backdrop of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which occurred after police officers violently beat a Black man, Rodney King.
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Fast-paced and important, Dear Martin tells the story of an Black teen who looks to the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. for answers after he is ridiculed by his classmates for being at the top of his class.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
An adorable romantic comedy about Chloe Brown, who enlists a local bad boy to help her get out of her comfort zone and check off her bucket list. If you want a quick, charming read, this one’s for you.
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
This is a compelling coming-of-age story about Black sirens navigating high school in the midst of a siren murder trial. This story couples modern fantasy with issues that are pertinent to today, such as racism and sexism.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
A gripping urban fantasy inspired by Arthurian legend, this novel follows sixteenyear-old Bree, who begins to learn about her own magical abilities while also trying to figure out how this magical world may have a tie in her mother’s death.
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo
After twelve-year-old Azere promises her dying father that she will marry a Nigerian man, she knows it will break her mother’s heart when, years later as an adult, she finds herself falling for a white man. This compelling story combines family and love with figuring out what it means to be true to yourself.
Sixteen-year-old Deka is awaiting her village’s blood ceremony, that will determine whether she can become a true member of her village. She longs for red blood so she can finally belong somewhere, but unfortunately, her blood runs gold. This fantasy novel for fans of Black Panther is set to be released on February 9.
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The Iconic Cicely Tyson by Caleb Wood Remember the departed actress with four of her best roles
East Side/ West Side
Among her earliest work is this short-lived television show about the struggles of people living in the city.
Sounder
Tyson, alongside Diana Ross, became the second Black woman nominated for Best Lead Actress at the Oscars for this emotional story of Black sharecroppers in the Great Depression.
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Don’t be fooled by its TV-movie origins, Tyson is at her best playing a character that moves with the plot from the Antebellum South to the 1970s.
How to Get Away with Murder
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
In a recurring role as the mother of Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), Tyson showed her continued versality well into her final years.
Staying six feet apart Hand washing Owning responsibility Wearing a mask
