February is Black History Month, where we celebrate the rich culture and history of those of African descent. If you want some entertainment to watch or read during the month, here are a few suggestions.
Books
1. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot
-Somewhat of a technical read, “Immortal Life” is a partial biography about Henrietta Lacks. Lacks was a poor black woman who developed cervical cancer in the 1950s. Samples of her cells taken without her knowledge turned out to be immortal, which were then used for scientific research.
2. “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison
-Ellison’s book follows an unnamed narrator that documents his experiences of racism and being socially outcast in the early 1900s.
Movies
3. “If Beale Street Could Talk”
-“Beale Street” is about a young woman in the 1970s living in New York who is trying to clear her lover’s name before their first child is born.
4. “Green Book”
-This movie is about black pianist Don Shirley who toured the Deep South in the 1960s. He hires Tony Lip, a white New York bouncer, to drive and escort him around. “Green Book” follows their experiences as they travel around the lower United States.
Shows
5. “Raising Dion”
-A Netflix original, “Raising Dion” is about the struggles of a single mom. After her husband dies, Nicole Reese does her best to raise her son, Dion, after he begins to show signs of superhero-like powers.
6. “When They See Us”
-Another Netflix original, “When They See Us” is about the Central Park jogger case, where a woman was assaulted and raped in Central Park. Five black teenagers were accused, and the show follows their stories.