Skip to Main Content

Racism and Social Injustice

Public Domain Films to Stream

The story of friends who must join up in opposite armies. The consequences of the War on their lives are shown in connection to the Civil War, Lincoln's assassination, and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan. The film that inspired the NAACP. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
undefined
A biopic directed by D.W. Griffith that follows the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Lincoln’s presidency, and the Civil War.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eugene O’Neill’s play about Brutus, a ruthless criminal who rises to rule an island, is filled with racist language and grotesque stereotyping. O’Neill has Brutus finally descend into madness, imagining himself being sold as a slave on an auction block.

 
 
 
 
 
Stars Robinson and Ruby Dee. Follows Robinson’s rise from the negro leagues, to his break into the major leagues with Branch Rickey’s dogged endorsement.
 
 
 
 
When a Chinese immigrant moves to London to spread Buddhism, he is met with deplorable conditions and intolerance. His missionary dream turns into opium addiction, until he finds a battered waif at his doorstep.

Animation

undefinedThe Lion Tamer
An animated short set in a circus featuring Amos and Andy. The characterization and drawing of both the leads and the circus goers relies on racist tropes.

 

 

 

 

 

undefinedScrub Me Mamma With a Boogie Beat
The residents  of Lazy Town are all bored and dozing until a light-skinned, sensual woman arrives and teaches everyone rhythm. This cartoon is no longer shown on television because it promotes negative stereotypes of African-Americans.