10 Black History Movies HBCU Students Should Watch

Watch these 10 Black History movies that HBCU students shouldn’t miss ! All these films depict a certain point in history when our people succeeded in overcoming adversities.

Here is our list of Black History Movies:

Boycott (2001)

It was December 1955 when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. Her arrest initiated a series of civil disobedience rallies that led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The one-day boycott that changed the history for black Americans is depicted in the movie, “Boycott“. The movie focuses more on the leadership of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was the spokesman for the boycott movement.

Jeffrey Wright portrayed the role of Dr. King with such compassion and conviction. Other actors did justice to their roles as well – Iris Little-Thomas (Rosa Parks), Ralph Abernathy (Terrence Howard) and Jo Ann Robinson (CCH Pounder). The is a must see for HBCU students who may be too young to fully understand the Civil Rights movement and the way it changed history for black Americans.

Glory (1989)

Glory is one of the more memorable black history movies which shows a fact-based account of the first black regiment who fought for the Union during the Civil War. The movie depicts the true story of the 54th Regiment, the first black group of soldiers who were trained and who actually went into battle. Aside from the rigorous training and the horrid situations that they had to endure during the war, the black soldiers had to deal with prejudice for being African-Americans serving their country.

Glory has a strong array of actors – Morgan Freeman (the inspiring Sergeant who motivated the soldiers), Denzel Washington (a runaway slave), and Matthew Broderick (the young Colonel who led the regiment into battle). Superbly directed by Edward Zwick, the movie depicted the sorrow and pride of black Americans who served their country during the Civil War.

Malcolm X (1992)

Malcolm X lived at a time of racial prejudice and like many African-American boys during that time, had a hard time growing up. He got involved with the underworld, robbing, selling drugs and women, and will later spend years in jail. Yet, this far- from-ideal past was an important chapter in his life. His life will later be turned around after he became involved with radical causes.

Malcolm X became an Islam convert while in prison and later on became a Muslim minister. He is considered as one of the most important black Americans in history, who through his speeches, encouraged millions of black Americans then and now to be proud of their race. Denzel Washington plays the role of Malcolm X and he did a fine job at it. With the superb craftsmanship of Director Spike Lee, Malcolm X is definitely tops the list of our favorite black history movies and should not be missed.

Miss Evers’ Boys (2002)

Miss Evers’ Boys is the story of Nurse Eunice Evers (Alfre Woodard) who got involved in a government-funded syphilis research study, where the subjects were African-American men who tested positive for the disease. When government funds for the project dried up, the research continued to become the “Tuskegee Experiment”, which studied the effects of syphilis on untreated patients. The patients are made to believe that they are being treated when in reality they are not receiving the medicine that can cure them.

Miss Evers’ character was depicted with sympathy as she was caught in this dilemma of saving the patients she herself recruited in a study that span 40 years. This HBO film is ideal for HBCU students interested in black history movies related to of nursing, ethics, medicine and medical research. read more