Systemic Racism in Film and TV

After the tragic death of George Floyd by the act of a white police officer, protests have increased across America and other parts of the world arguing against the racism and race issues in systems in society.

Especially in America, racism is a major problem and matters have recently been made worse with statements made by President Donald Trump. Many celebrities have also joined to promote the BlackLiveMatters movement by posting on their social media feeds alongside the public.

These issues have constantly been represented within certain films – with many based on true events – as well as in TV shows. They are a platform for people to educate themselves on the racism issues that still lie within our society, and the constant fight against these to bring about a change. Although not everyone will be affected by these issues, it is still a campaign people are promoting and is something they finally want to bring an end too.

For those that are not fully educated or affected by racism issues, they are many films and documentaries that display the terror people have gone through and lets us gain an insight into the horror they experience and encourages us to bring about this change.

The Hate U Give

A film that may be relevant even more at this moment in time, The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr Carter who lives in Garden Heights. After hearing a gun go off at a party her best friend Khalil drives her home. On the journey back, they are stopped by a police officer who starts to give orders to Khalil. He is told to roll down the window and turn his music off, however Khalil refuses.

He is then told to exit the car, and whilst out the car the officer takes his licence and told to keep his hands on the roof. However, Khalil reaches inside the car for a hairbrush and is shot dead by the officer.

After his death, Starr is faced with pressure from two colliding worlds (as she attends a white privilege prep school) but she stands up for what is right and fights against police violence to keep her best friends’ memory alive.

Editor in Chief of Platform, Faith Pring said: “Watching this film as a white woman, some may find that isolating, but that’s exactly the point.”

This film is an important watch in terms of the current situation, as it displays progressive view towards these systemic issues such as police violence and involves an emotional element making it a much more powerful viewing. It teaches us more about those who stand up for their rights and give a voice to a community that experiences the racism face on.

Faith added: “Equality has yet to be reached and The Hate You Give shows us why.

“It’s a necessary story that needs to be told but more importantly, it needs to be understood.”

Just Mercy

The intensity of this film – based on true events – not only leaves you emotional but speechless. It is one of those films that unfolds the events right in front of you, and as each minute passes you are gripped in even more and practically come to know the characters on a much more personal level compared to any other film you have seen before.

It tells the story of innocent Walter “Johnny D” McMillian (Jamie Foxx) who is convicted of the murder of Ronda Morrison in 1986 and is given the death sentence. Harvard Law graduate Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) arrives in Alabama three years later and opens the Equal Justice Initiative – alongside Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) – to help inmates on death row who cannot make their legal costs.

After looking at the facts, Bryan discovers the conviction is only based on the testimony of felon Ralph Myers (Tim Blake Nelson) who provided a testimony in exchange for a lighter sentence in his own criminal case. Stevenson makes his mission to get Johnny D off death row, and even goes as far to the Supreme Court of Alabama.

It uncovers the corrupt law system that laid within Alabama and still does to this day. It is a perfect piece to educate those on the racism there is within a system just like the law enforcement. It shows us the trauma some people really do experience and shows that truth will eventually be uncovered and prevail over lies and a corrupt system.

Chicago PD – Season 5 to 7

Racism issues aren’t only focused on within movies but TV as well. From season five to season seven, Chicago PD touches upon the racism that faces black men within the police force. During the season seven climax, Doyle, a white police officer is shot dead after racially profiling an innocent man (who is also killed) and the only witness is Detective Kevin Atwater – a black police officer.

Atwater makes a stand against racism and stands up for his rights, however he is blackballed by Doyle’s family and friends. This particular season highlights that the police in some cases are systemically racist, and even those who are not overtly racist still fail to see the problem. It teaches us there is still some corrupt within a system and it is something that simply won’t stand.

“It utilises the lens of a black male police officer to highlight the prejudice and obstacles the black men in the city face.” Said Rachel Saunders, studying a Project Management masters.

Rachel added: “While the drama is heightened for effect, it has a gut punch that makes you think.”

Green Book

Green Book tells the true story of bouncer Tony Lip, who is in search of new employment after the nightclub he works for is shut down temporarily. Along the way, he meets Dr Don Shirley – a black pianist and becomes his driver for eight weeks whilst he tours the Midwest and Deep South.

Don is given the “Green Book” by his record label – a guide for African Americans to find motels, restaurants and filling stations that will serve them. As the tour begins, Tony and Don initially clash, but as they get to know each other more, Tony starts to appreciate Don’s talent on the piano. However, he is disgusted by the treatment he receives from audiences on stage and off.

Both grow fonder of each other and become great friends. Both also help each other along the way and rise above the racism and segregation that confronted them during the era in 1962.

This is a story that teaches audiences the history of racial issues and that there are the people who rise above it and go against this hate within society. Unfortunately, it reminds us there is this sort of hate still within society (even though years have passed), due to recent events.

Yanrui Su, studying Pre-Master’s for Business, Law and Social Sciences said: “The film has a positive impact on the public because it can change modern people’s concept in a way.”

When They See Us

This series – which was Netflix’s most watched series last year – tells us the true story of five boys in 1989 who were wrongly convicted of a rape. Known as the “Central Park Five”, the four-part series focused on the aftermath of how they were wrongly convicted and how it took them 25 years to reach a deal with New York.

Similar to Just Mercy, this series exhibits the deceit within the American Law enforcement simply based on racial hatred. It is something that needs to be highlighted to people, especially in the form of a series like this because it shows us that we do not know everything that goes on behind doors and it gives us an insight into the hate some people receive just because of their race.

This is an issue some of us have never or will never experience ourselves. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t become educated on the systemic racism that is still clearly within our systems due to unfortunate incidents such as the death of innocent man, George Floyd.

Through the form of film and TV, we can utilise something we watch every day to gain more knowledge into these issues. And finally, after we have acquired this knowledge, we can encourage this change – whether that’s through signing a petition or promoting the message on our social media feeds – and finally remove racism and racial hatred from our ever changing society.

By Katie Green

Feature image: Roger Ebert