OUR MLK WEEKEND WATCH LIST

As we continue to celebrate and learn about King’s legacy, we often see and hear about the end of his “I Have a Dream” speech, when he envisions Black and white children holding hands. The earlier portion of the speech is often left out though, when King proclaims that his people have come to the capital to “cash a check” owed them by the government after it promised all Americans justice and liberty….

Below is our current weekend watch list with recently released films from some of our members that continue to explore the different layers, untold stories and faces of systemic racism.

Unapologetic by Ashley O’Shay

Unapologetic captures a tense and polarizing moment in Chicago’s fight for the livelihood of its Black residents. The film follows Janaé and Bella, two young abolitionist organizers, as they work within the Movement for Black Lives to seek justice for Rekia Boyd and Laquan McDonald, two young Black people killed by Chicago police. They aim to elevate a progressive platform for criminal justice to a police board led by Lori Lightfoot and a complicit city administration, while also elevating leadership by women and femmes.

How It Feels To Be Free

The inspiring story of how six iconic African American female entertainers – Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier – challenged an entertainment industry deeply complicit in perpetuating racist stereotypes, and transformed themselves and their audiences in the process.

Test Pattern by Shatara Michele Ford

Test Pattern follows an interracial couple whose relationship is put to the test after a Black woman is sexually assaulted and her white boyfriend drives her from hospital to hospital in search of a rape kit. Part psychological horror, part realist drama, this exhilarating debut feature from Shatara Michelle Ford is set against the backdrop of national discussions around inequitable health care and policing, the #metoo movement, and race in America.