Assistant Features Editor
If it didn’t share its time with Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl, Black History Month could possibly gain more attention from today’s generation.
It’s important to recognize historical roots and the people who fought for equality. Regardless of whether you’re part of that particular culture or not.
Diversity relies on open-mindedness, and having an open-mind leads to better possibilities and opportunities.
One of the most phenomenal novels that presented black history, from the years of slavery to the Jim Crow era of segregation, was Roots: The Saga of an American Family, written by Alex Haley and published in 1976. It was later adapted into a series in 1977.
It has now been 40 years since the novel opened the minds of many Americans to the horrors of slavery. In several articles, Roots was said to have brought a positive impact on race relations in America.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” said philosopher George Santayana.
Over the years, more films and television series have put on beautifully written stories of history that took viewers through the challenges and struggles of a people who fought for freedom.
Some of the most notable movies I’ve watched that stuck with me the most is “12 years a Slave” and “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”
Both movies hooked me in from the beginning to the end during my long flight to South Africa in 2013. Their messages were strong, and gave a new meaning to the word “forgive.”
Sometimes forgiveness is hard, but is needed to move forward and cleanse the soul of hatred.
There haven’t been many black movies that really grabbed my attention this year or last year. I do admit that “Creed” was pretty good, and I still haven’t seen “Concussion” yet.
Since 2016 I have heard rants and arguments over and over again that the Oscars are racist. But then again, the term “racist” is tossed around carelessly these days.
Awards shouldn’t always be needed to show a job well done. It’s what people take away from the movie after they leave the theater.
Did the movie make them think? Did they feel inspired?
African Americans have come far in the entertainment industry, from being typecast as the antagonist to having movies made of their successes, and their hard, yet beautiful, history and culture.
