Haile Gerima understood that when we know our stories, we better understand who we are. His films, just like our real-life ancestors’ actions and survival, were acts of resistance. Fortunately Gerima didn’t act alone.
There was a rebellion among Black filmmakers from the late 1960s to the 1980s. They were tired of Black people being stereotyped on the screen. Gerima and other filmmakers started the movement known as the LA Rebellion, so that we could tell our stories from our viewpoints.
In 1993, Gerima released Sankofa, a portrayal of Black resiliency during the Atlantic slave trade. Sankofa outperformed some of the biggest blockbuster films at that time, and gave a “solid Black middle finger to the racist American film industry.” But storytelling like this wasn’t about Hollywood.
It was about us. Gerima still puts all of his effort into creating a liberated space for Black film to be portrayed in an affirming, truthful and bright light.
Our history and our stories are the foundations that help us build our future. They serve as conduits for hope, power, and our continued existence in a world that sometimes seeks to silence our voices. What’s your story? Your inner Gerima wants us all to know.