EASL’s Black Lives Matter Black Media Matters
We want to be clear. Black lives matter. And Black media matters. Racism is rampant in the industries that EASL covers – entertainment, art, and sports. Hollywood, from its inception, has failed in amplifying Black voices, telling Black stories, showcasing Black actors, hiring Black content creators, and working with Black crewmembers. One way that we, as a community and as individuals, can tell these entertainment industries that we want Black voices to be heard, that we want Black stories to be told, that we want Black cast and crew members to be included and respected, is to play the game that Hollywood and other media industries live by – the numbers game. Simply put, the more viewers, the more successful media is, the more likely similar media gets made.
We implore you to engage with some of the media on this list, a list that is designed to be a living document, to be added to and to be circulated every year. Today, on Juneteenth, Freedom Day, and every other day, we encourage you to learn from and to engage in new media. Here you’ll find everything from non-fiction biographies, to fictional fantasy novels, to children’s books, from documentaries to narratives, from podcasts on various subjects to theatrical pieces, from artists, to poets, and from to musicians, to YouTubers. There is something here for everyone. Each member of the EASL eboard has added a personal recommendation to help guide you through this list if you feel like you don’t know where to start. Additionally, the Women’s Law Society helped us by creating a list of Black women authors. We’re grateful for their help and support.
We also encourage everyone to take a moment of silence and remember the beautiful Black lives we have lost. Linked here is a video featuring art created by children to remember lives that were stolen from this world. Please watch and reflect and remember in silence. Thank you to Professor Fine for sharing this video with us, and to the artists who created it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrbaQjZAoQw&feature=youtu.be
Thank you,
Nicole Cardascia
St. John’s University School of Law
EASL Co-President
Class of 2021
