The concept of society has been engraved in mankind, even before we began to evolve and modernize. Only now, we have become more aware of how we let it affect our lives, especially how we treat others. This has become obvious as we start to analyze how black people have become outsiders to American society. Tons of media have been produced, surrounding this fact, and has pushed to erase the ignorance that blinds many from seeing the blatant racism they are involved in. The Trevor Noah Clip does a fantastic job of describing the “social contract” that we have all subconsciously signed to treat each other with equality. It even says so in our own Declaration of Independence. Yet, time and time again this contract has been broken as non-black people abuse African Americans for simply existing. This point was supported by George Floyd’s death, referencing how his killers were not immediately punished for the injustice they had caused. Equality is never obeyed and only ignored because no matter what, some of us cannot stop seeing others as inferior. Dozens of cases have shown that, yet only now, we’re realizing how often our precious “social contract” is broken.

One of the best ways to remember black history is by remembering the most influential people in it. Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. are great examples, which James Baldwin, famous American novelist, scriptwriter, poet, and activist, creates a great film commentating on their lives and actions. While each of these phenomenal individuals had very different influences on black activism, they all had the same goal: equality. In a way, Baldwin was trying to get his viewers to understand that fighting for the same cause in different ways is completely valid (as long as it’s peaceful, of course.)

Both of these were an honor to watch and listen to. While I had known about these topics, I love to see how different people try to spread awareness for the same topic. The strategies used by each of these creators were wonderful in trying to show the ruthlessness of black racism and the power of black protest.