Whether your kids go to school, or you homeschool them, it’s important to take time to discuss topics for Black History Month at home. If you don’t know how to get conversations started with your teens, since it should be a more in-depth subject matter, it could be easier to watch a show and dive into specific topics after. We’ll break down shows and movies to watch during Black History Month that will segue into great conversations with your teen.
Funny show/movie to watch
Abbott Elementary
If you have ever been a teacher, a sub, a parent volunteer in a classroom, or you have kids, you need to watch Abbott Elementary. At the heart is a story about a predominately Black school in Philadelphia and the lengths teachers and principals have to go to get supplies and funding for their students in a low-income, minority public school system.
A Black Lady Sketch Show
Think SNL, but with powerful and funny females instead. The only thing with A Black Lady Sketch Show is that some skits and episodes have language and scenes you may find inappropriate for your younger teen, depending on your values. For this one, give an episode a watch first and see if you’re OK with it. But there are countless sketches that are amazing. A perfect discussion for older teens is why shows like SNL aren’t as diverse as they should be.
Strong Black female story
Hidden Figures
We love when there’s a true story to research when watching a movie. Hidden Figures is based on the book about the Black women responsible for NASA’s success in the 1960s during the Cold War. This would be a great one to watch and then look up the three main women and see how accurately their stories were told. Your teens could also read the book and see how it varied from the movie for a more in-depth discussion of which portrayed the truth more accurately.
A Ballerina’s Tale
If you have teens that love dance, the story of the first Black principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre will inspire them. A Ballerina’s Tale follows Misty Copeland’s rise to break the 78-year record of all-white principal dancers, and the Black ballerinas that paved the way for Misty. Even if your teenager doesn’t love dance, the story is a great pick-me-up and lesson on not giving in or letting others put you in a specific box.
Serious movie to watch
A Time to Kill
Another movie based on a book loosely based on factual events, A Time to Kill tells the story of a Black man on trial for murdering the white men who violently attacked and then attempted to murder his daughter. Set in a mostly white town in Mississippi in the 1980s, the story fictionalizes the real events that author John Grisham read about in the newspaper at the time.
13th
13th is for teens who appreciate documentaries. It explores the rate of incarceration of Black people over other races, the rise of incarceration versus the decline of overall crime, legalized segregation, and many other important topics that need to be discussed in the U.S. these days. It was directed and written by Ava DuVernay, who also directed Selma.
Political show/movie to watch
Selma
If your teen is near or is of voting age, you need to introduce Selma to them. The story follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his journey to Selma, Alabama, in a march to fight for the right for Black voters to cast their ballots anywhere, even in a segregated system. Though director Ava DuVernay did her research for historical accuracy, this would be another great movie to compare to the textbooks.
When They See Us
Yes, another one by Ava DuVernay (seriously, everyone needs to watch her entire filmography). When They See Us explores the story of five Black and Latino men accused, tried, and convicted for crimes they didn’t commit against a white woman. It’s broken up into four parts, so you could spread it out and watch one a week.
When you finish this series, enhance the discussion with the documentary The Central Park Five.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
From Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7 tells the story of a group of — yes, seven — protestors of the Vietnam War. The group is arrested and put on trial, and the only Black man is beaten and abused by officers during court. From constitutional rights and justice to protest, there are a lot of relevant topics to discuss with your teen.
After-the-watch discussion
You could always look up what questions to ask after watching the specific movie or show for talk time. But during the show or movie, have a notebook and pen handy and write down what questions come up during the watch. Whatever your teen points out or what you want to ask your teen — write it all down. Thank goodness for streaming services, so pausing and rewatching parts is easy if needed.
Teenagers love being part of the conversation and love to learn about causes that affect the world around them. Black history shouldn’t be just the month of February, so add all of these shows and movies to your streaming queues that aren’t just Black History Month movies, but ones to help keep the learning going year-round.
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