Without doubt, these are testing times. Apart from the personal struggles we all face on a daily basis (thanks, COVID) the world seems to be going crazy too. As an understatement. While holding on to our own sanity is an order, dropping the occasional gaze to what’s happening around isn’t all that a bad idea. One of the many socio-political movements gracing the world today is the Black Lives Matter momentum. And while debates and discussions on this rage by the minute, here are top 5 Netflix Titles you could sit back and binge over the weekend. All to remind yourself that Black Lives do Matter.

Being Elmo

Sesame Street is one of the few television shows that stood the test of time to become one of the more loved shows of all times. Never mind the controversies that punctuated it every now and then. But one of the more prominent characters on the show, Muppet Elmo, has another more telling story to share. Courtesy the man behind the Muppet, Kevin Clash. This series, narrated by the charming Whoopi Goldberg, tells us the story of the man behind the Muppet. 

Da 5 Bloods

Running into more than 2 hours of watch time, the film follows four African American Vietnam war veterans, who return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their erstwhile squad leader. And the gold fortune he helped them find. Directed by the Oscar-winning Spike Lee (of ‘BlacKkKlansman’ fame), the film is a take on how African American soldiers fight for ‘freedom’ in foreign land (in this case Vietnam) while being denied their rights and freedoms in their own birth land. 

Self Made

Headlined by the incredible Octavia Spencer, this movie charts the life of America’s first African American self-made millionaire Madam C.J. Walker. Noted by the Bidness Book of Records as the first black woman millionaire, Walker (1867 – 1919) rose from being the daughter of parents who once were slaves, to creating her own business empire. Walker’s homemade line of hair care products specifically for black women soon led her to becoming so successful, that the millionaire was to fund academic scholarships for women – not to forget other philanthropic initiatives. Quite the joy ride, this movie. 

When They See Us

Timely. Gritty. Heartbreaking. But all lessons we can learn from. ‘When They See Us’ charts the 1989 event, when a jogger was assaulted and raped in New York’s famous Central Park. In its aftermath however, five young black people were charged for the crime – as arbitrary as one could. The five – the Central Park Five – spent years in fighting the convictions, pleading innocence. With an Emmy award winning and nominated cast, the series not only is high on the performances but stunning in the story it’s trying to relate, especially in the present day reality. 

Teach Us All

This 2017 documentary is a reminder why present day issues are in fact problems that have persisted since decades – and perhaps centuries. And that isn’t doing us any good. Back in the early 1950s, the US Supreme Court ruled that the practice of establishing racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. But even decades later, the inequality persists. In spite of such landmark judgements that marked watershed moments in US black history and their struggle to secure basic civil rights, how far have we come really?

If this is a list that worked for you, do check out our other Netflix lowdowns too!

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