6 Documentaries To Keep You Woke In A Sleepy Society
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

6 Documentaries To Keep You Woke In A Sleepy Society

“Woke” is the past tense of “wake,” and it refers to waking up to what's going on around us.​

447
6 Documentaries To Keep You Woke In A Sleepy Society
The Hofstra Chronicle

"Get woke” and “Stay woke” refers to being aware of what's going on around you in regards to racism and social injustice. “Woke” is the past tense of “wake,” and it refers to waking up to what's going on around us.

There's a beauty in documentaries, their ability to truly capture something real and unedited, that you can't always find by watching a movie and the best part about them is that they'll keep you aware of the events that happen across society:

1. "Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry" (2012)

"There are particular moments that allow a voice to change the way people think."


Filmed from 2008 to 2010, the internationally renowned independent Chinese artist, activist and public figure Ai Weiwei, the "Beijing Andy Warhol", is documented during his artistic process as he constantly runs into the danger of speaking out against his motherland's government.

2. "An Inconvenient Truth" (2006)

"Is it possible that we should prepare against other threats besides terrorists?"


An Inconvenient Truth ultimately faces the "moral challenge" of global warming, a "planetary emergency" as former Vice President Al Gore persuasively argues and exposes the many misconceptions against the crisis and attempts to persuade society to get involved before it's too late.

3. "E-Team" (2014)

"In darkness abuse takes place."


This Netflix Original Documentary brings you behind the scenes and enemy lines into one of the world's most dangerous war zones where human atrocities thrive in the midst of dictatorships, as the E-Team speaks out against global genocide.

4. "Miss Representation" (2011)

"Media creates consciousness and if what gets put out there that creates our consciousness is determined by men, then we're not going to make any progress."


"Miss Representation is a 2011 American documentary film written, directed, and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. It explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in influential positions by circulating limited and often disparaging portrayals of women."

5. "Waste Land" (2010)

"What I really want to do is change the lives with a group of people with the same material they deal with every day."


This award winning documentary displays the power of transformation in art and humanity as the famous contemporary artist Vik Muniz gathers a few inspirational catadores or pickers of recyclable materials from Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, and gives them the life-changing experiences of being apart of the international art world.

6. "13TH" (2016)

"Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution makes it unconstitutional for someone to be held as a slave. There are exceptions, including criminals."


Ava DuVernay’s eye-opening documentary 13TH refers to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution presents "the horrors of mass criminalization" within the United States prison industry using actual footage and testimony made by from individuals like activists, politicians, historians, and formerly incarcerated women and men.

This is only a small portion of issues that we need to be made more aware in society, but it's a start. Meanwhile, stay educated and stay woke, fam.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

75376
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

47097
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

977609
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments