Juneteenth an often overlooked holiday, celebrates the last remnants of slavery in the United States when on June 19th, 1865, Union Soldiers proclaimed and freed the last slaves of Galveston, Texas, effectively ending slavery across the United States. The emancipated began singing songs of jubilation, and danced on the streets as they celebrated being slaves no more.
Fast forward to today, Juneteenth, now a national holiday, signed by President Biden, thanks to the efforts of activist Opal Lee and many others. In celebration of emancipation and the promise of Freedom, Hope, and Equality for all, The People United have put together a list of some of our favorite films that celebrates Black Joy, Freedom, and the expression of the fight for change that continues to this day.
- Malcolm X – Spike Lee
- Selma – Ava DuVernay
- American Fiction – Cord Jefferson
- I Am Not Your Negro – Raoul Peck
- The Hate You Give – George Tillman, Jr.
We will naturally throw our film, The People United: A Cinematic Diary, in the mix here, but what is your list of Top 5 Films to Watch this Juneteenth. Send them our way and we’ll post it on our blog and social media. Enjoy this holiday and remember to “Spread Love, and Deflate The Hate.”
[1] National Museum of African American History & Culture – Website
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