Stream These Movies & TV Shows To Educate Yourself On Systemic Racism!

As people continue to fight for equality and law enforcement reform through peaceful protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, many are wondering what they can do to educate themselves on systemic racism.

While there are plenty of wonderful resources online, there are also plenty of compelling movies and TV shows that show the many ugly faces of racism.

Related: Dave Chappelle Educating A White Woman About Police Brutality Is Truly Inspiring

Take a look at the list (below) to see what films and shows you can watch right now: 

Selma

This Ava DuVernay-directed film follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s march from Selma to Montgomery, which ultimately led to President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The film was lauded for portraying the civil rights leader (played by David Oyelowo) as a full rounded human being. Watch it on FXNow.

Just Mercy

Just Mercy follows the life of human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson (played by Michael B. Jordan), who dedicated his career to freeing wrongfully convicted inmates from death row and reforming America’s criminal justice system. Warner Bros. made the film free to rent on multiple platforms to encourage people to learn about systemic racism.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

This documentary explores the life and mysterious death of Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans icon and a central figure in the 1969 Stonewall riots. Stream it now on Netflix.

The Hate U Give

Based on the popular YA novel of the same name, The Hate U Give stars Amandla Stenberg as a high school girl who witnesses a police officer gun down her best friend. Watch on HBO Max.

BlacKkKlansman

The Oscar-winning film directed by Spike Lee was based on the 2014 memoir Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth. It follows his story as the first African American detective in the Colorado Springs police department and his mission to infiltrate and expose a local KKK chapter. Watch it on Hulu or HBO Go.

Do The Right Thing

Another Spike Lee classic: this 1989 film was entirely shot on the Brooklyn street where it was set. It takes place on a single summer day in the NYC neighborhood, during which temperatures rise and racial tensions boil over. Watch on Amazon Prime.

The Wire

This classic HBO drama follows the narcotics scene in the city of Baltimore through the eyes drug dealers, users, and law enforcement. During its run from 2002 and 2008, The Wire explored themes like corrupt public officials, poverty, and drug abuse. Watch on HBO Max.

Dear White People

Based on the 2014 film of the same name, Dear White People follows black college students at an Ivy League university as they learn lessons in racial biases, politics, injustice, and activism. Watch on Netflix.

When They See Us

Created by Ava DuVernay, this mini-series tells the real-life story of the Central Park Five, the NYC teens who were convicted in an infamous 1999 rape case but exonerated in 2012 when the real criminal confessed. Watch on Netflix.

[Image via Warner Bros./Universal/20th Century Studios]