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Movies and shows to binge with your teen for Black History Month

Black History Month movies to start conversations with your teen

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.

Mom and teen watching TV

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.

Parents talking to teenage girl while looking at a cell phone

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Expand your child’s collection and support these Black-owned toy companies this February and beyond
Find your kid's next favorite toy from one of these Black-owned brands
Two toddlers playing with toys on a table

Kids like the toy, not the label, and they don't care who made it. But adults need to help children understand that where the product comes from is as important as how much they like it. We all need to get better at paying more attention to the products we buy. Discuss these Black-owned toy brands with your child and see what items they'd like to add to their toy collection.

For the puzzle-solving geniuses
Puzzle Huddle
Puzzle Huddle is a relatively new company that Matthew Goins started in 2018 in response to the lack of diversity in the puzzle space. Having small children, he and his wife wanted to even the playing field. In just a few short years, Puzzle Huddle went from creating a variety of puzzles in various sizes to adding products like pillows. throw blankets, T-shirts, coloring books, and canvases.
The Magnus Company
The Magnus Company might be a brand-new addition to the puzzle world, but it's a female- and Black-owned business to have on your radar. It pairs its puzzles with plush dolls that you could get together or separately, which is an adorable touch.
For kids who want dolls to make playtime fun
The Fresh Dolls
Created by mother and former professor Dr. Lisa, The Fresh Dolls lets boys and girls find the perfect unique doll for their personality. You'll find over 65 different dolls for your child to pick their favorite, with styles for younger and older kids. The company also sells cool adult coloring books for you and your child to do together.
Natural Girls United
The Natural Girls United dolls celebrate all hair types. Not only are the dolls' clothes handmade, but the beautiful hair and various skin tones will give every child a chance to find a doll like them. They are truly works of art.

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Why you should celebrate Valentine’s Day with your kids, especially if you’re single
Single for Valentine's Day? Your kids should still see you celebrate the holiday
Paper artwork for Valentine's Day

Other than sending your kids to school with the required Valentine's Day cards for the class, you may not want to do anything on the day of love if you're a single parent. But that's why you should celebrate it, even more so than if you had a partner. Don't let your kids grow up to hate celebrating love if they don't have a partner.

Celebrating Valentine's Day with kids puts a whole new spin on the holiday that single parents everywhere need to embrace. We all need more love and less bitterness about being single. Start with yourself by modeling for your children that loving yourself is the best reason to enjoy this holiday.

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Your local library will help you stick to your New Year’s goals and so much more
How to check off all your New Year's goals using only your local library
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Was one of your New Year's resolutions for this year to learn a new language? Find a new hobby? Check out every museum in your area? Do you know what can help you get all of your goals checked off? Your local library! It amazes us how many people don't know all the awesome (and free) things to do through your library and with your library card. We know, we're as excited to tell you as you are to know how your library can help with your New Year's goals.

Sign your kids up for free classes
Your library's calendar should be incorporated into your family's schedule. There are classes for infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and teens. Whether your children like crafts, science, art, book clubs, or themed activities, your library has a class for that. If you homeschool, your library even has special days and times for those children.

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