Hollywood filmmakers have depicted the African-American race with such degradation that in order to reclaim the minds of young African-Americans the true story must be told. I have chosen four films and four novels to give students a direct view of where the African-American race has been to help them understand where they need to go. The films are: Sankofa, by Ethiopian Haile Gerima, Amistad directed by Steven Spielberg, Hotel Rwanda by filmmaker Terry George, and Beloved, screenplay by Akosua Busia a prince from Ghana. Companion novels are: Kindred, by Octavia Butler, Mutiny on the Amistad, by Howard Jones, Hotel Rwanda, (Bringing the True Story of and African Hero to Film), and Beloved, by Toni Morrison. These authors and filmmakers are diverse in race and gender; they produced their works under quite different circumstances.

We will highlight the differences in visual styles of the filmmakers and writing styles of the authors as each takes up themes of oppression and the quest for liberation. Slavery and the impact of African history on the U.S. today must be understood by students so they can appreciate their past and the struggle, pain, and sacrifices, of others.

(Developed for English and Language Arts, grades 9-12; recommended for English and Language Arts, grades 6-12)