With the onset of Covid-19 and no scarcity of boredom, our eyeballs have almost been glued to our screens. But if I asked you how many actors who identify as Black you have seen in films or in starring roles, you would probably have to think about it for a while. To spotlight talent and celebrate Black culture this month, I have written about the two shows with Black leads, I fell in love with over the pandemic. Every month should be Black History Month so I hope this article encourages you to start watching more films with leads from underrepresented minorities.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
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In a powerhouse performance, Viola Davis emulates ‘The mother of the Blues’. The Oscar-winning movie, originally a play written by August Wilson showcases a day in the life of Gertrude ‘Ma’ Rainey and her band in a recording studio. The day is a seemingly normal one for all the Black people born in the 20th century and this normalcy of racism and social injustice in 1927 is exactly what the movie calls out through Ma and Levee’s (Chadwick Boseman) characters.
Ma went against every norm in the period she lived in as she was a bold, outspoken, LGBTQ woman of colour. She was aware of the racism all around her but demanded respect as she knew her worth. Her voice was her asset and her only leverage in what used to be a white man’s world.
Chadwick Boseman as Ma’s band member and trumpeter, Levee also plays an important role as he represents Black youth, full of life, creativity and motivated to accomplish something. Only, he is stifled by social injustice which causes a continuous cycle of hatred, pain and exploitation.
Blues music is so culturally significant for all African Americans, and rarely do you ever hear about the people who popularized it. Hence, I would strongly recommend this documentary and the 30 minutes behind the scenes which gives you an insight into the symbolism and history of the whole movie.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
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South African-Swiss TV show host Trevor Noah, famously known for his Trump trolls and tales of South Africa, has kept me sane during the pandemic. His quick wit coupled with woke comedy never disappoints. Switching on the TV to watch The Daily Show where news is disseminated in a light-hearted, comedic manner as compared to the brutal scenes on news channels, especially during a time where I was not in the best headspace, helped me understand what was going on around the world without feeling unsettled. It is also refreshing to see a man of colour hosting such a successful show, and his relatability makes it even more fulfilling to watch.
Trevor Noah even addressed a part of his identity and appearance that he didn’t know he was changing to fit in, in a talk with Arsenio Hall on the show. He said that after not being able to cut his hair during the pandemic, he realized how long it had been since he allowed himself to grow it out, as he had unintentionally adopted the idea of what “professional” hair looks like. This was a statement against some Black hairstyles being viewed as “unruly”, and truly reflected the fact that fragments of internalized oppression still exist today.