In the week and a half since George Floyd was killed by the police in Minneapolis, America has been forced to confront issues around racial inequality, a problem that far too many of us have ignored for far too long. As Floyd’s death vividly demonstrated, black Americans and other people of color are frequently subjected to unconscionable treatment at the hands of the police. Systemic racism is a serious and widespread problem in the United States, and as the past 10 days have made clear, it’s one that we can no longer afford to look away from.
Change starts with listening and learning. While the most important conversations we can have are those within our communities, art and creativity can help facilitate dialogue and spark change. In that spirit, many of the networks and programmers on Sling TV have socially-conscious films, shows, and news specials available for our subscribers. From free documentary films to powerful shows to in-depth news specials for both adults and children, here’s a look at some of the programming now available or coming soon to our service. For even more content, explore our Meeting the Moment ribbon under the My TV tab in the Sling App.
Free Documentary Films on Starz
*These titles are available for free through Sunday, June 14
Emanuel – An inside look at the tragic event that took place in Charleston, South Carolina at the Emanuel AME Church, where nine innocent churchgoers were gunned down.
Out of Omaha – An intimate portrait of twin brothers Darcell and Darrell Trotter, two young black men coming of age in the racially and economically-divided Midwestern town of Omaha, Nebraska. From executive producer J. Cole.
The Rape of Recy Taylor – A documentary about Recy Taylor, who was gang raped by six white boys in 1944 Alabama. Unbroken, Mrs. Taylor spoke up and fought for justice with help from Rosa Parks and countless women.
For Ahkeem – A junior high school student sees her chances of a better future jeopardized after she gets in a fight and is expelled.
Scandalize My Name – This potent documentary, narrated by Morgan Freeman, examines several prominent African American performers in the American film and television industries during the 1950s Communist witch-hunting McCarthy era.
Stranger Fruit – The events of Ferguson, Missouri and the killing of Michael Brown are re-investigated with compelling new evidence shedding new light on the events surrounding his death.
Free Scripted Films
The Hate U Give – 2018 film based on best-selling young adult novel about a teen forced to reckon with racism after a police shooting. (Available beginning Tuesday, June 9 through Sunday, June 21)
Antwone Fisher – Starring Denzel Washington, this 2002 film is about a sailor prone to violent outbursts who is sent to a naval psychiatrist where he confronts his painful childhood. (Available through Sunday, June 21)
The Secret Life of Bees – Based on the novel of the same name. Starring Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys. (Available through Sunday, June 21)
TV Series
American Race (4 Episodes) – NBA star Charles Barkley goes on a personal journey to explore race and divisions in America. (TNT)
America To Me (10 Episodes) – Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Steve James (Hoop Dreams, Life Itself) examines racial, economic and class issues at a diverse high school near Chicago. (Available free through Sunday, June 14 on Starz)
Why We Hate (6 Episodes) – From Executive Producer Steven Spielberg, Why We Hate explores one of humanity’s most primal and destructive emotions – hate. At the heart of this timely series is the notion that if people begin to understand their own minds, they can find ways to work against hate and keep it from spreading. (Discovery)
True First (8 Episodes) – This series looks at iconic African American figures who broke new ground in sports, technology, culture and government. (UMC)
History Makers (3 parts) – This documentary series explores the achievements of influential African American figures through interviews. (UMC)
Behind her Faith (4 Episodes) – Focuses on Essence Atkins and her journey through faith and motherhood. (UMC)
News Specials
OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?
Discovery Networks, Tuesday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 10, 9pm ET
The two-night special airing across all Discovery networks features Oprah Winfrey speaking directly with a range of Black thought leaders, activists and artists about systematic racism and the current state of America.
The Murder of George Floyd: A Nation Responds
ID, Tuesday, June 9, 8pm ET
ID’s Tony Harris hosts a discussion about pervasive racism, police violence, and what it will take to make this the watershed moment that will expand equality everywhere. Panelists in this conversation include PBS Newshour Correspondent and NBC & MSNBC Political Contributor Yamiche Alcindor, former Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, racial justice attorney, author and activist Lurie Favors, Co-Founder of the National Coalition of Law Enforcement Officers for Justice, Reform and Accountability, Redditt Hudson, and civil rights activist and Organizer of Campaign Zero, Deray McKesson.
The Time is Now: Race and Resolution
A+E Networks, Monday, June 8, 8pm ET
Produced n partnership with the NAACP and OZY, this special gives voice to the country’s cry for dialogue and change as America faces a defining moment after the death of George Floyd. This important conversation will feature influential social justice voices discussing the ways systemic racism, implicit bias, and economic inequality are afflicting our nation, and pathways forward to help achieve lasting change.
NBC News Special Report: Remembering George Floyd
Tuesday, June 9 at 12pm ET on NBC (In select markets)
NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt will be joined by a team of NBC News journalists from across the country for the special report, including correspondents Morgan Chesky, Joe Fryer, Gabe Gutierrez and Steve Patterson. NBC News and MSNBC contributors Yamiche Alcindor, Paul Butler and Eugene Robinson will also join the coverage.
Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism – A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families
CNN, Saturday, June 6, 10am-11am ET
Hosted by CNN’s Van Jones and Erica Hill along with Sesame Street’s Big Bird
Unconscious Bias: Facing the Realities of Racism
CNN, Sunday, June 7, 10pm-11pm ET
Hosted by CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield
I Can’t Breathe: Black Men Living and Dying in America
CNN (Now available on demand)
Additional Films and Shows
Dark Girls – Documentary about colorism within the African American community toward darker-skinned women. (UMC)
Martin Luther King Jr.: Marked Man (National Geographic)
16 Shots – Documentary about the shooting and coverup of Laquan McDonald’s death in Chicago. (Showtime)
Burn, Motherf. Burn – Documentary about the 1992 LA Riots. (Showtime)
Hidden Figures (FXM)
Clemency (Available to rent)
Do the Right Thing (Available to rent)
Get Out – Wednesday, June 10, 10pm ET (FXX)
If Beale Street Could Talk (Available to rent)
Sorry To Bother You (Available to rent)
WATCH SLING TV NOW!
