Curriculum
About this course
Welcome to Foundations of Black Fiction 101. We’re just vibing here honestly lol. As I learn, you learn. Below you’ll find topics, people, movies, and shows I’d like to discuss as a community. This isn’t a lecture — it’s a space to explore the stories that shaped Black culture, whether you’re experiencing them for the first time or rewatching and rereading them with your adult brain. Welcome.
Essential Black Shows and Movies
Discussion Topics
Discussion topic: What is a Black Movie?
Oscar Micheaux: Inventor of independent alternate cinema.
Minstrelsy: Blackface performance history.
Bert Williams: Double consciousness performer and early Black film actor.
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson: Tap dancer and actor known for pioneering performances.
Hattie McDaniel: First African American to win an Oscar (1940 Best Supporting Actress for Gone with the Wind).
Gordon Parks: Pioneering Black photographer and filmmaker (Shaft, 1971).
Discussion topic: Why were early Black roles often cartoonish?
Suzanne de Passe: Co-writer of Lady Sings the Blues screenplay.
Ruby Dee: Screenwriter and actress advocating for Black stories.
Richard Pryor: Top comedian-actor whose works challenged race stereotypes.
Discussion topic: The impact of The Color Purple book and movie.
Discussion topic: Spike Lee's business mindset and impact.
Discussion topic: Ruth Carter’s costume design and symbolism.
Discussion topic: 90s Black vs White gangster films.
Discussion topic: Black masculinity in film and TV.
Discussion topic: Black romance in film and TV.
Discussion topic: Black queerness in film and TV.
• Tongues Untied, Pariah, Punks, Dear White People – Nerdy, Gay, Black, Male Hero
Discussion topic: Impact of Black horror films.
Discussion topic: The Oscars and why representation matters.
April Reign: Creator of #OscarsSoWhite movement.
Moonlight: "Camera stays on emotions of Black people" - metaphor for Black Hollywood.
American fiction and acceptance speeches: Need for more Black joy and humanity.
Discussion topic: How do we ensure we don’t regress in Black cinema?
Discussion topic: Future hopes for Black cinema.
Discussion topic: Tyler Perry’s career and his influence.
Eddie Murphy: Broke barriers with his career and questioned Black representation in Hollywood.
Discussion topic: Impact of Coming to America and Harlem Nights.
Discussion topic: Black trauma films—why they matter but are difficult to watch.
Note: Hollywood Black doc—many feel underrecognized.
Whoopi Goldberg: Won Best Supporting Actress for Ghost (1991).
Regina King: Won Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk (2019).
Ariana DeBose: Won Best Supporting Actress for West Side Story (2022).
Discussion topic: Will Smith’s Career and his cultural impact.
Discussion topic: Don Cheadle’s top movies
Discussion topic: Morgan Freeman’s top movies - Street Smart vs Bruce Almighty.
John Singleton’s Career: Pioneering Black director and screenwriter; first African American and youngest person ever nominated for Best Director at the Oscars. Known for centering urban Black youth and social realities in film.
Discussion topic:The Wayans’ use of parody—how does making fun of dominant cultural narratives allow for powerful critiques of race, media, and identity?
In Living Color (1990–1994): Created by Keenen Ivory Wayans; groundbreaking sketch comedy show that launched the careers of many Black entertainers and featured bold satire on race, politics, and pop culture.
Essential Black Shows and Movies
Within Our Gates (1920): Directed by Oscar Micheaux; considered a direct response to Birth of a Nation, this film tackled lynching, racism, and the need for Black education, offering a powerful counter-narrative from a Black filmmaker.
The Jazz Singer (1927): Al Jolson starred; represents early use of blackface in American cinema and raises critical questions about race portrayal.
Imitation of Life (1934): Directed by John M. Stahl; this melodrama tackled race, identity, and passing through the story of a Black woman and her daughter. It was groundbreaking for its time, though still steeped in Hollywood’s racial constraints.
Show Boat (1936): Directed by James Whale, starring Paul Robeson; known for addressing race relations in the South.
Gone with the Wind (1939): Directed by Victor Fleming; iconic in American cinema but controversial for romanticizing the Confederacy and slavery. Hattie McDaniel became the first Black person to win an Oscar for her role.
Stormy Weather (1943): Directed by Andrew L. Stone; Lena Horne starred; pivotal for Black musical representation.
Carmen Jones (1954): Directed by Otto Preminger, starring Dorothy Dandridge; milestone for Black actors in lead roles.
A Raisin in the Sun (1961): Directed by Daniel Petrie, starring Sidney Poitier; landmark film in Black American realism.
In the Heat of the Night (1967): Directed by Norman Jewison, starring Sidney Poitier; known for “the slap heard around the world,” the film tackled racism in the American South through a tense murder investigation.
Uptight (1968): Directed by Jules Dassin; released shortly after MLK’s assassination, this film explored political betrayal, Black militancy, and the cost of revolutionary ideals.
Watermelon Man (1970): Directed by Melvin Van Peebles; a white racist man wakes up as a Black man in this satire that critiques systemic racism and white privilege.
Shaft (1971): Directed by Gordon Parks; featuring Richard Roundtree, this film launched the Blaxploitation genre with a cool Black detective lead and iconic score by Isaac Hayes.
Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971): Directed by Melvin Van Peebles; a landmark in independent Black cinema, this gritty, anti-establishment film helped define the Blaxploitation era.
Super Fly (1972): Directed by Gordon Parks Jr.; influential in shaping the blaxploitation genre.
Lady Sings the Blues (1972): Billie Holiday biopic starring Diana Ross; explored racial and gender dynamics.
The Mack (1973): Directed by Michael Campus; a classic of Blaxploitation, it tells the story of a pimp navigating power and respect in Oakland. Famous for the line “Yo bitch just chose me.”
Ganja & Hess (1973): Directed by Bill Gunn; an experimental horror film that uses vampirism to explore Black identity, addiction, and colonial trauma.
Foxy Brown (1974): Directed by Jack Hill, starring Pam Grier; emblematic of strong Black female leads.
Cooley High (1975): Directed by Michael Schultz; often called a “Black American Graffiti,” this coming-of-age film mixes comedy and tragedy in 1960s Chicago.
Blazing Saddles (1974): Directed by Mel Brooks, co-written by Richard Pryor; a satirical Western that critiqued racism in Hollywood.
Roots (1977): TV miniseries based on Alex Haley’s book; a landmark depiction of slavery and African American ancestry.
The Wiz (1978): Starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson; reimagines a classic through Black cultural lens.
Killer of Sheep (1978): Directed by Charles Burnett; a poetic neorealist portrayal of Black working-class life in Watts, Los Angeles. Compared to Invisible Man in its existential themes.
48 Hrs. (1982) Directed by Walter Hill, starring Eddie Murphy; one of the first buddy cop comedies featuring a Black lead, blending action and racial tension with humor.
Trading Places (1983): Directed by John Landis; a social satire featuring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd that critiques class, capitalism, and race through a comedic role reversal.
A Soldier’s Story (1984): Directed by Norman Jewison; a murder mystery within a segregated army unit, it confronts internalized racism and racial dynamics during WWII.
Barry Gordy's The Last Dragon (1985): Directed by Michael Schultz; a cult martial arts comedy blending Motown, kung fu, and Black empowerment themes.
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988): Keenen Ivory Wayans’ parody of blaxploitation tropes.
Coming to America (1988): Directed by John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy; celebrated for its regal depiction of African culture and comedy centered on identity and love.
Harlem Nights (1989): Directed by Eddie Murphy; ensemble cast of Black comedy legends.
Do the Right Thing (1989): Directed by Spike Lee; iconic depiction of racial tensions in Brooklyn.
New Jack City (1991): Directed by Mario Van Peebles; notable for its take on drugs and crime in urban America.
Mo' Better Blues (1990): Directed by Spike Lee; a jazz musician navigates relationships, career, and identity in this visually stylish exploration of artistry and masculinity.
The Five Heartbeats (1991): Directed by Robert Townsend; fictionalized story of a Motown-era singing group reflecting struggles of fame, racism, and loyalty.
Daughters of the Dust (1991): Directed by Julie Dash; the first feature film by a Black woman distributed theatrically in the U.S., it tells a visually rich story of Gullah women confronting heritage and modernity.
Boomerang (1992): Directed by Reginald Hudlin; starring Eddie Murphy, this romantic comedy flipped gender roles and highlighted Black professionals in a glossy, stylish way.
The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992): Biographical miniseries chronicling the rise of the Jackson family; significant in portraying Black musical legacy.
Candyman (1992): Directed by Bernard Rose; a horror film rooted in urban legends and racial trauma in Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing projects.
Juice (1992): Starring Tupac Shakur; explored youth violence and systemic injustice.
Just Another Girl on the IRT (1992): Directed by Leslie Harris; a bold indie film about a Black teenage girl navigating life, ambition, and an unexpected pregnancy in Brooklyn.
What's Love Got to Do with It (1993): Biopic of Tina Turner starring Angela Bassett; revealed the struggles and strength behind a legendary career.
Menace II Society (1993): Directed by the Hughes Brothers; raw portrayal of inner-city violence and youth trapped in cycles of poverty.
Jason's Lyric (1994): Romantic drama centered on love and trauma in the Black community.
Crooklyn (1994): Directed by Spike Lee; a nostalgic, semi-autobiographical look at a Brooklyn family in the 1970s, told through the eyes of a young Black girl.
Bad Boys (1995): Directed by Michael Bay; buddy cop action film starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. It combined blockbuster energy with Black leads in roles traditionally reserved for white actors.
Vampire in Brooklyn (1995): Directed by Wes Craven, starring Eddie Murphy; blended horror and comedy while exploring themes of diaspora and duality.
Independence Day (1996): Directed by Roland Emmerich; blockbuster film where Will Smith plays a heroic fighter pilot, marking a major moment in Black actors leading global franchises.
Rosewood (1997): Directed by John Singleton; dramatization of the 1923 massacre of a Black town in Florida, spotlighting racial violence and lost history.
Soul Food (1997): Family drama emphasizing Black familial unity and resilience.
Love Jones (1997): Directed by Theodore Witcher; a culturally influential film about love and poetry in Black artistic circles.
The Temptations (1998): Biographical TV miniseries depicting the story of the iconic Motown group; showed the pressures of fame and the cost of success.
Half Baked (1998): Directed by Tamra Davis; a stoner comedy featuring Dave Chappelle, notable for its cult following and commentary on weed, friendship, and the justice system.
Rush Hour (1998): Directed by Brett Ratner; Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker team up in this action-comedy, blending martial arts and cultural clashes with mainstream appeal.
Life (1999): Directed by Ted Demme, starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence; a comedic yet tragic story about two men wrongfully imprisoned, commenting on racial injustice.
Dorothy Dandridge (1999): Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, HBO biopic starring Halle Berry; highlighted the challenges faced by the first Black woman nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars.
The Best Man (1999): Romantic drama about love and friendship among Black professionals.
The Wood (1999): Directed by Rick Famuyiwa; a nostalgic coming-of-age film about Black male friendship, identity, and growth.
The Hurricane (1999): Directed by Norman Jewison, starring Denzel Washington; tells the story of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, wrongfully imprisoned, and his decades-long fight for justice.
Scary Movie (2000): Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans; a parody of horror films that broke box office records and blended slapstick with social commentary. It also exposed how genre tropes often exclude or misrepresent Black characters.
Love & Basketball (2000): Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood; highlights love and ambition in Black relationships.
Training Day (2001): Directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. Washington plays a corrupt LAPD officer, a role that subverted his heroic image and won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film examines morality, power, and systemic corruption in law enforcement.
Monster’s Ball (2001): Halle Berry wins Best Actress; film explores grief and interracial love.
Baby Boy (2001): Directed by John Singleton; a raw portrayal of Black masculinity, relationships, and survival in urban Los Angeles.
Antwone Fisher (2002): Directed by Denzel Washington; autobiographical story of trauma and healing.
Ray (2004): Jamie Foxx’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Ray Charles.
Cadillac Records (2008): Directed by Darnell Martin; chronicles the rise of Chess Records and artists like Etta James and Muddy Waters, spotlighting Black influence on American music.
Precious (2009): Produced by Oprah and Tyler Perry; raw portrayal of abuse and survival.
The Princess and the Frog (2009): Disney’s first Black princess story.
The Help (2011): Controversial for its portrayal of white saviorism despite strong Black performances.
Fruitvale Station (2013): Ryan Coogler-directed debut film about Oscar Grant’s death.
12 Years a Slave (2013): First film by a Black director to win Best Picture; based on a real enslaved man's account.
Selma (2014): Directed by Ava DuVernay; focused on MLK's civil rights leadership.
Dear White People (2014): Satirical look at race relations at a college campus.
Straight Outta Compton (2015): Directed by F. Gary Gray; chronicles the rise of N.W.A. and West Coast hip-hop, while addressing police brutality, free speech, and the commercialization of rebellion.
Creed (2015): Directed by Ryan Coogler; revitalized the Rocky franchise with a Black lead.
Moonlight (2016): Directed by Barry Jenkins; coming-of-age story exploring Black masculinity and queerness.
Get Out (2017): Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning social thriller exploring racism through horror.
Black Panther (2018): Directed by Ryan Coogler; global impact, Afrofuturism icon.
BlacKkKlansman (2018): Directed by Spike Lee; based on the true story of a Black detective infiltrating the KKK in the 1970s. Combines history and satire, and won the Grand Prix at Cannes.
The Woman King (2022): Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood; spotlight on female African warriors.
American Fiction (2023): Satirical drama examining Black storytelling expectations.
Essential Black Literature
Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937): A pioneering exploration of Black womanhood, self-realization, and love in the early 20th-century South; a foundational work in Black feminist literature.
Native Son (1940): A provocative novel that critiques systemic racism and the criminal justice system through the life of Bigger Thomas, forcing America to confront its racial hypocrisies.
Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953): Semi-autobiographical and deeply spiritual, this novel explores faith, family, and identity in a Harlem church community.
Giovanni's Room (1956): Though centered on white characters, Baldwin’s novel was groundbreaking for its portrayal of queerness and existential displacement, written by a Black author in 1950s America.
Brown Girl, Brownstones (1959): One of the first novels to explore the experience of second-generation Caribbean immigrants and Black girlhood in Brooklyn.
The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1969): A subversive political thriller that imagines a Black CIA operative training revolutionaries in the inner city — banned and suppressed for its militant tone.
The Bluest Eye (1970): Tackles internalized racism and beauty standards through the tragic story of a young Black girl who longs for blue eyes.
Sula (1973): Examines friendship, independence, and the weight of community expectations among Black women across generations.
If Beale Street Could Talk (1974): A poignant love story that sheds light on the injustices of the American legal system and the resilience of Black families.
Corregidora (1975): A raw, haunting look at generational trauma, memory, and sexual violence rooted in slavery.
Roots (1976): A sweeping generational saga that traces the lineage from Africa to slavery in America, igniting national conversations on ancestry and identity.
Song of Solomon (1977): Blends magical realism with African American folklore and history, exploring themes of flight, inheritance, and identity.
Kindred (1979): A genre-defying novel that uses time travel to explore slavery, agency, and historical memory.
Tar Baby (1981): A complex novel that interrogates race, privilege, and assimilation through a transatlantic romance.
The Women of Brewster Place (1982): A mosaic of interconnected stories about Black women navigating love, loss, and survival in a housing project.
The Color Purple (1982): An epistolary novel that gives voice to Black Southern women and celebrates resilience, sisterhood, and self-liberation.
Beloved (1987): A Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that centers the psychological aftermath of slavery and the haunting presence of the past.
Mama Day (1988): A richly layered story combining folklore and family legacy on an isolated Black island off the Georgia coast.
Parable of the Sower (1993): A dystopian vision of America’s collapse, featuring a young Black prophet whose journey is rooted in survival and community-building.
The Intuitionist (1999): A surreal noir that critiques racial uplift politics and systemic invisibility through the story of a Black female elevator inspector.
Who Fears Death (2010): An Afrofuturist tale set in post-apocalyptic Africa that weaves together magic, genocide, and resistance.
NW (2012): A stylistically inventive portrait of modern Black British life, class divisions, and fractured identities.
The Fifth Season (2016): The first book in The Broken Earth trilogy; a genre-defying epic blending geology, race, empire, and survival. It marked the beginning of Jemisin’s historic Hugo streak, as Jemisin is the first Black author to win a Hugo Award for Best Novel, and she is also the only author to have won the award in three consecutive years (2016-2018).
An Unkindness of Ghosts (2017): A sci-fi allegory aboard a generation ship, grappling with race, gender, and trauma in a space-born caste system.
Such a Fun Age (2019): A sharp, contemporary novel that critiques performative allyship and the commodification of Black bodies.
The Vanishing Half (2020): A multigenerational story about twin sisters navigating identity, colorism, and the legacies of passing.
The Prophets (2021): A lyrical and powerful exploration of queer Black love under slavery, reclaiming the dignity and humanity often erased from such narratives.