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13. Thriving In A Multicultural Classroom
Michelle Dunlap’s Top Ten Favorite Movie Picks
1. Imitation of Life (the 1959 version) – a classic that portrayed Lana Turner in the
leading role while her Black women co-stars actually stole the show. Reportedly, this
story is based on a book written by a Jewish author who presented Black and White
relations as a metaphor for relations between Jews and Whites. The characters are
metaphoric of race relations in America. For years, this movie was considered the all-
time favorite movie among the African American community.
2. Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored – an account, based on a true story, of
life for African Americans in the Jim Crow era. This film was produced and directed
by Tim Reid on a shoestring budget, and like many independently and minority-
produced movies, never really received the acclaim that it deserved.
3. Unchained Memories – based on transcripts of audiotaped interviews of surviving,
enslaved African Americans, with award-winning actors and actresses such as Oprah
Winfrey and Samuel L. Jackson. Not for the faint-hearted.
4. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf
(Broadway Theatre Archive, 1982) – based on the famous book of poems and short
stories by Ntosake Shange, the title of this DVD speaks for itself. As old as it is, it
perhaps is the only female counterpart to Get on the Bus and many other great but
male-dominated movies, except for maybe Oprah Winfrey’s Women of Brewster
Place.
5. Half Past Autumn – documents the life and works of journalist, photographer,
painter, musician, acclaimed film producer and director, Gordon Parks.
6. Lady Sings the Blues – the making of this movie is a lesson in Black History itself,
so watching the “bonus materials” that describe this history is recommended. Berry
Gordy was ahead of his time with his technique, cinematography, casting, etc.
Although it was her acting debut, Diana Ross received a well-deserved Academy
Award nomination for her role as singer Billie Holiday.
7. How to Eat Your Watermelon in the Company of Whites and Enjoy It – documents
the life of multilingual writer, singer, actor, film producer, Melvin Van Peebles.
8. Rize – looks at the role of dancing (such as “Krump” and “Clown” dancing) among
African American youth, but from both a historical and contemporary context.
Supports the idea that our minority youth want to be both seen and validated.
9. 10,000 Black Men Named George – based on the true story of A. Philip Randolph’s
efforts, along with Dr. Martin Luther King, to unionize the railroad Pullman Porters
who were predominantly African American. Because of his efforts and achievements,
Randolph became known to some as “the most dangerous man in America.”