Films That Confront Racism

Description: This classic film adaptation of Harper Lee's novel tackles racial prejudice in the Deep South, focusing on a black man falsely accused of rape. It's a poignant narrative that explores innocence, justice, and the moral growth of a young girl.

Fact: Gregory Peck won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Atticus Finch. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.

Description: Adapted from Alice Walker's novel, this film tells the story of Celie, an African-American woman living in rural Georgia, who faces numerous hardships but finds strength through sisterhood and self-discovery.

Fact: Whoopi Goldberg received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role as Celie.

Description: Spike Lee's masterpiece captures the simmering racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood on the hottest day of the year, leading to an explosive climax. It's a raw and honest depiction of racial conflict.

Fact: The film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars. It was also added to the National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

Description: This film follows a former neo-Nazi skinhead who tries to prevent his younger brother from following in his footsteps. It's a powerful exploration of white supremacy, redemption, and the impact of hate.

Fact: Edward Norton's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Description: This ensemble drama interweaves several stories exploring racial and social tensions in Los Angeles. It's a thought-provoking look at how prejudice affects everyone involved.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, despite being somewhat controversial for its portrayal of race relations.

Description: Focused on Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, this film captures a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.

Fact: The film was nominated for Best Picture and David Oyelowo's portrayal of King was critically acclaimed.

Description: Set in the 1960s, this film explores the lives of African-American maids working in white households in Mississippi, highlighting the racial divide and the bonds formed across it.

Fact: Octavia Spencer won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role.

Description: Based on Solomon Northup's memoir, this film recounts his harrowing journey from freedom to slavery and back, highlighting the brutal realities of the antebellum South. It's a stark reminder of the inhumanity of slavery.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Lupita Nyong'o won Best Supporting Actress.

Description: Based on the true story of Oscar Grant, this film documents the last day of his life, leading up to his tragic death at the hands of a BART police officer, sparking conversations about police brutality and racial profiling.

Fact: Michael B. Jordan's performance was widely praised, and the film won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Description: This film dramatizes the FBI investigation into the disappearance of three civil rights workers in Mississippi, shedding light on the Ku Klux Klan's reign of terror.

Fact: The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.