D
ocumentaries are wonderful windows into the past and present. They are visual and audio experiences that allow us to gain a greater understanding of a time and/or place in a relatively short amount of time. The African Diaspora has been, quite possibly, the subject of more documentaries than any other group. The epic lives of the men and women whose ancestors hail from the second largest continent has enlivened the genre whether one is focusing on music, social movements, or sports. Below are ten films that provide an incisive look at the political history of the Diaspora over the last 150 years. Many of them are available on YouTube in their entirety.
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I find it astounding that Shola Lynch’s award winning Chisholm 72: Unbought and Unbossed is not on this list. 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of her historic run as the first African American and the first woman to mount a national campaign for the US presidency of a major Party.
Love the list….
Please add Dark Girls by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry, The Black Line series by D Channsin Berry My Nappy Roots: A Journey through Black Hair-itage by Regina Kimbell
Thank you for the great list! I’ll track down the Latin American titles, which are new to me.
I would humbly add PBS’ brilliant “Freedom Riders” and “Africans in America: America’s Journey Through Slavery.” Also the incredibly wonderful “Lightning in a Bottle,” a concert film that records old and young Blues players under one roof, with vintage footage and photos to round out the history.
I like your choices–especially Black in Latin American. It is a great series that proves the importance of celebrating and acknowledging the African Diaspora.