February marks Black Historical past Month, a time devoted to honoring and reflecting on the numerous contributions of Black Canadians and their communities. To commemorate this, a robust assortment of Canadian documentaries highlights eight distinctive tales that delve into the Black expertise in Canada. These movies discover numerous features of this journey, from the historical past of enslaved folks escaping to freedom alongside the Underground Railroad to the continued battle in opposition to racism in Canada immediately.
Black Life: Untold Tales
Black Life: Untold Tales is an eight-part collection that explores the triumphs and struggles of Black folks in Canada over greater than 400 years. The collection delves into problems with tradition, politics, music, artwork, sports activities, and extra, whereas honoring each well-known and lesser-known Black Canadians and their outstanding contributions.
For the Tradition with Amanda Parris
For the Tradition with Amanda Parris presents a platform for deep, thought-provoking conversations concerning the international Black expertise. Parris, who’s the host and creator, travels to 6 completely different international locations and connects with folks of the Black diaspora to discover essential matters affecting Black communities worldwide. The present highlights views from world wide to interact with probably the most pressing points going through Black people immediately.
Love, Leymo
In Love, Leymo, 17-year-old Leymo Mohammed displays on his life after the lack of his mom to COVID-19. By way of a heartfelt letter to her, Leymo shares his struggles, achievements, and progress as he navigates his world with out her. The documentary captures his journey of understanding and coming of age in Toronto’s St. James City.
Pricey Jackie
Pricey Jackie tells the story of Jackie Robinson, the primary Black man to play in Main League Baseball in 1946. The documentary examines his pivotal function within the civil rights motion and the combined reactions to his breaking of baseball’s coloration barrier. It raises questions on whether or not his success contributed to a false sense of post-racial progress in North America.
Secret Brokers of the Underground Railroad
In Secret Brokers of the Underground Railroad, host Anthony Morgan joins an archaeological workforce at Heritage Park in Niagara Falls. The park sits on the location of the Cataract Home, a distinguished lodge that served as a key cease on the Underground Railroad. Morgan unravels forgotten historical past, revealing how the lodge’s Black workers performed a pivotal function in serving to enslaved folks escape to freedom in Canada.
Patty vs. Patty
The weird Patty vs. Patty chronicles Toronto’s 1985 “patty wars,” the place Jamaican-Canadian bakers fought the federal authorities over the title and classification of their iconic beef patty. The documentary explores the cultural and authorized tensions between preserving custom and complying with meals rules.
Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music
In Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music, the exploitation of Black artists within the music trade is explored. The documentary sheds gentle on systemic racism within the trade and the continual struggle by Black musicians for honest compensation and artistic freedom.
The Pores and skin We’re In
In The Pores and skin We’re In, journalist Desmond Cole travels throughout Canada, investigating the pervasive subject of racism within the nation. Directed by Charles Officer, the documentary presents a candid have a look at the realities of racism, capturing the lived experiences of Black Canadians in various communities.
This assortment of movies and collection presents an eye-opening exploration of Black historical past and the continued struggle for equality, making Black Historical past Month a time for reflection, training, and motion.
Watch these documentaries at no cost on CBC Gem.
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