What I’m Watching This Week 3

Last Friday, June 19th, was Juneteenth, which celebrates June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger reached Galveston, TX with the news of the Civil War's end. Taking place two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, marking the true end of slavery. In other words, these slaves should have been freed two and half years earlier!

I decided to commemorate the day by watching Harriet. (It was my first time back in a movie theatre in a long time. I sure missed movie theatre popcorn.)

Harriet is about Harriet Tubman, one of the most successful conductors on the Underground Railroad and a bad ass woman all around. Harriet stars Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman, Leslie Odom Jr. as William Still, and Janelle Monae as Marie Buchanan.

I remember learning about Harriet Tubman in school and that she had fainting spells due to being hit with something very heavy in the head at a young age. This movie depicts her fainting spells as more like premonitions or Harriet's connection with God. It reminded me of Joan of Arc's story. I'm not sure if her fainting spells were premonitions or not, but she was still an amazing woman. I know there has been some dispute about putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, but after seeing this movie and learning more about her in general, I would be fine with Harriet on all our money. I know I've said it already, but she was amazing! She freed slaves, she fought and lead troops in the Union Army, and she fought for women's suffrage!

Next, I finished reading Little Fires Everywhere for book club, so I decided to start the series on Hulu. It stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. Reese plays Elena Richardson, an upper middle class working Mom with four kids. The youngest one doesn't quite fit their picket fence mold. Kerry plays Mia Warren, a somewhat starving artist that travels around with her young daughter, Pearl. She has somewhat of a mysterious past that we learn along the way. The show explores a lot of things that are in the forefront of many discussions right now including racism, classism, socio-economics, white privilege, stereotypes, and so much more.

The show takes place in the 90's so the soundtrack is amazing!

In the book, we are never distinctly told Mia and Pearl's race, however, the socio-econimic differences are still glaring. The show gets some of the book right, however, a lot is different as well. As usual, I prefer the book to the show, but it is still worth the watch.

To see what I've watched previously, click here.