America is grappling with an enduring issue that dates back to its very beginnings. Education in schools has been tainted with untruths, and the media often bombards us with dramatic headlines that frequently distort the facts. A pervasive sense of blind patriotism has, over time, conditioned many to unconditionally accept the use of unchecked violence in international conflicts as warranted. This narrative is not new; it's a story that has been repeated throughout history.
When did you last take a moment to critically evaluate the norms that govern our society? Have you delved into how the United States' foreign policy decisions directly impact your family and your daily life? It's essential to navigate these questions to fully understand the broader implications of our nation's actions on a personal and global scale.
Welcome to AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM – a meticulously curated selection of documentaries, movies, and books designed to nourish the critically-thinking and ever-curious mind. This compilation aims to challenge perceptions, provoke thought, and feed your intellectual hunger, shedding light on the complex issues that America grapples with.
To Watch
Documentaries
Below, I've compiled a list of thought-provoking documentaries that I highly recommend. Each film (or series) has been chosen for its ability to illuminate significant issues, spark dialogue, and offer new perspectives. As we wade through the sea of information in our world, these documentaries stand out as beacons of insight, challenging us to think deeper and look beyond the surface.
The Vietnam War (2017)
I don’t know about you, but I learned a very whitewashed and sanitized history of the Vietnam War. This docuseries, however, peeled back layers of untold truths that had been absent from my textbooks. I was shocked to learn about the grave atrocities and war crimes perpetrated by the American military and government throughout Southeast Asia during this war. The Vietnam War, a ten-part series by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, chronicles the entire scope of the war. It lays bare with unflinching detail, featuring first-person accounts from nearly 80 individuals involved in and affected by the war. This includes American soldiers and dissenters, as well as Vietnamese fighters and civilians from both the North and the South.
WHERE TO WATCH: Apple TV | Amazon Prime
Left by the Ship (2010)
The phrase 'left by the ship' carries a sting of disdain, targeting Filipino children forsaken by their American military fathers. This poignant documentary casts a light on the struggles of Filipino 'Amerasians' — individuals who were born in Asia to an American serviceman and an Asian mother. Regrettably, hundreds of thousands of these children were left behind when their American fathers returned to the United States. The Amerasian Immigration Act of 1982 was passed to offer immigration privileges to children fathered by American servicemen in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and South Korea—yet, notably, the Philippines was left out.
This film delves into the stories of four Filipino Amerasians as they brave life's harsh realities, facing societal challenges and discrimination for circumstances beyond their control. It doesn’t shy away from confronting issues such as the widespread anti-Blackness in the Philippines, which I appreciated as a Black Filipino who used to live in the Philippines. Through their eyes, we witness the complexities of identity and survival in a world that has too often overlooked them.
WHERE TO WATCH: Vimeo
Movies
I'm particularly drawn to films as my preferred medium because they have a unique power to center human experiences, enabling viewers to deeply empathize with the characters. They offer us a window into the intimate moments of lives vastly different from our own, yet they manage to bridge those differences, bringing us closer to a universal sense of humanity. Here, I’ve listed some movies that have resonated with me on an emotional level, stirring feelings that linger long after the credits roll.
Imitation of Life (1934/1959)
'Imitation of Life' exists in two distinct adaptations; the original version premiered in 1934 and a reimagined version appeared in 1959. While both films share core themes, there are nuanced differences in their storytelling. Regardless, each version confronts critical social issues head-on: they explore the complex phenomenon of “white passing,” where individuals of mixed race may be perceived as white, delving into the challenges that arise from it. They also tackle the pernicious effects of colorism, examine the dynamics of Black domestic workers serving white families, and probe the intricacies of mother-daughter relationships. These films provide a valuable lens on the societal attitudes of their respective eras, offering rich material for discussion and reflection on issues that still resonate today.
I was genuinely surprised to learn that Hollywood studios, particularly in an era as far back as the 1930s and 1950s, had the courage (for lack of a better word?) to produce movies that engage with such sensitive and complex issues.
WHERE TO WATCH: YouTube (1934) | Apple TV (1934/1959) | Amazon Prime (1934/1959) | YouTube (1959)
Wadjda (2012)
Back in 2013, when I was still navigating college life (before I decided to drop out – a little twist in my academic journey heh), my film production professor organized a class trip to a movie screening at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood. The thrill of visiting a hub of the entertainment industry overshadowed even my curiosity about the film we were going to see; I was simply ecstatic to be in that space. At that time, anything north of Long Beach was an adventure for me, and my fascination with the film industry only heightened the excitement. The title of the movie? I had no clue until I was there.
That evening, I was introduced to 'Wadjda' (2012), a groundbreaking Saudi Arabian film crafted by Haifaa al-Mansour. It dawned on me that I was witnessing history – it was the first full-length feature ever directed by a Saudi woman. 'Wadjda' tells the captivating tale of a feisty, independent-minded 10-year-old girl who dreams of owning a bicycle. By entering a Koran recitation competition at her school, she hopes to win the prize money that will make her dream a reality.
What struck me profoundly about this film was its portrayal of Wadjda not as a victim but as a person of agency. Much Western media tends to portray Middle Eastern and Muslim women through a lens of victimhood, suggesting they need Western intervention for liberation. This film diverges from that narrative, instead acknowledging and celebrating the resilience and strength of the women from the region, who are fighting for their autonomy and freedom in their own distinct ways.
Oh, and I love the relationship between her and her mother. I cried. Multiple times.
WHERE TO WATCH: YouTube | Apple TV | Amazon Prime
The Nightingale (2018)
I have to level with you all: this film is not an easy watch, but it starkly confronts the grim reality of colonialism. I received an invitation to a screening in 2019, hosted by Taika Waititi, with no prior knowledge about the film's content. Its promotional angle to me was “from the director of The Babadook” so I was entirely under the impression that this was a horror film. In a sense, that wasn't misleading, as the film unflinchingly depicts the horrors of British colonial rule. Set in the 19th-century Australian bush, it follows the journey of a young Irish convict woman who, alongside an Aboriginal tracker, seeks vengeance against a British officer for unspeakable violence committed against their families.
The movie illuminated a dark chapter of history I hadn't known before—the Black War. From Wikipedia: “The Black War was a period of violent conflict between British colonists and Aboriginal Tasmanians in Tasmania from the mid 1820s to 1932…the near-destruction of the Aboriginal Tasmanians and the frequent incidence of mass killings have sparked debate among historians over whether the Black War should be defined as an act of genocide”
After the film, I spoke with Baykali Ganambarr, the Aboriginal lead, at the afterparty and gained valuable insights into the struggles of Aboriginal Australians. I noticed disturbing similarities between their experiences and those of Black Americans. I learned that Aboriginal Australians are also colloquially called “Black” or “Blak,” and they, too, face targeted violence, extrajudicial killings by police, and disproportionate rates of incarceration—they represent only about 2% of Australia's population but nearly 30% of its prison population. That screening was enlightening in more ways than one.
While I recommend this film, it's important that I include a disclaimer.
Please be aware before deciding to watch 'The Nightingale' that it contains very graphic and disturbing portrayals of rape as well as violent scenes that are quite explicit. The film's approach is unflinching and aims to portray the brutal truth of its subject matter.
To Read
“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.” —James Baldwin
I've put together a selection of books below that I highly recommend for anyone looking to challenge their current perceptions and understanding of the world. These works hold the potential to not just broaden your horizon but radically shift your perspective. They delve into diverse subjects, each presenting facts and viewpoints that may contradict common beliefs.
Whether it's unraveling the complexities of history or challenging societal norms, each book promises to inspire introspection and ignite a thirst for deeper knowledge. So prepare to embark on a literary journey that will turn your worldview on its head.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
In my junior year of high school, my Mexican-American U.S. History teacher briefly mentioned a certain book during one of his classes. Its title piqued my curiosity, yet I remember being slightly skeptical about his recommendation. Known for his passionate asides on American foreign policy – topics that were quite above my head at the time – he had a reputation among the students as being somewhat of a radical. Because of this, I initially dismissed my interest in the book, equating it with the kind of sensational literature that could fuel rampant misinformation—like a Facebook uncle sharing an article about 5G’s coronavirus.
However, after graduating, I stumbled upon the same book in a Barnes & Noble and, on a whim, I bought it. Reading this book was transformative; it revolutionized my worldview.
I was raised in a military family, with my father serving 22 years in the United States Air Force before retiring as a captain. My upbringing was steeped in patriotism, and I unreservedly absorbed the narratives presented to me. When I started reading this book, it felt as though it was revealing a truth I had been shielded from. Accepting its contents was challenging; it felt like a betrayal of my indoctrinated beliefs and confronted me with the harsh possibility that I had been subjected to brainwashing. This book didn't just turn my beliefs upside down – it was the beginning of my political awakening. My perspective on the world (and my history teacher) was irrevocably altered.
The Lost Tribe of Coney Island: Headhunters, Luna Park, and the Man Who Pulled Off the Spectacle of the Century by Claire Prentice
As some of you may be aware, I am of indigenous Filipino heritage. My mother hails from the Ibaloi tribe, an ethnolinguistic group belonging to the indigenous peoples broadly known as the Igorot. The recommendation to read this book came from my uncle, who has dedicated his career to working with the Philippine government on the protection and zoning of indigenous lands. A fountain of knowledge on Igorot history, my uncle introduced me to this work.
The book illuminated another disturbing episode of history that I previously knew nothing about. During the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, an American man named Truman Hunt was assigned to supervise a 'human zoo' exhibit which featured Igorot people. The Igorots were forced to publicly perform an exaggerated and distorted representation of our tribal rituals for entertainment. This included singing, dancing, staging fake weddings, and consuming dogs sourced from local pounds. This book delves into the details of this harrowing true story.
From Amazon: “It is a story that makes us question who is civilized and who is savage.”
The Thibodaux Massacre: Racial Violence and the 1887 Sugar Cane Labor Strike by John DeSantis
You might recall my recent Instagram post mentioning the Thibodaux Massacre. On November 23, 1887, my great-great-great grandfather Jack Conrad was among the few who survived what became known as the Thibodaux Massacre.
A former soldier for the Union Army who had been born into slavery, Jack Conrad faced severe difficulties even after gaining his freedom. He lived through the harrowing event of the Thibodaux Massacre, an atrocity few survived. Despite the official end of slavery in the United States, Black sugarcane workers in Louisiana continued to endure conditions starkly reminiscent of those during slavery. Paid only the equivalent of 91 cents for a full day's work, they received their meager earnings in store credit, not cash, restricting their spending to certain local shops.
Oppressed by these unjust circumstances, the Black sugarcane workers formed a union and initiated a strike to demand fair compensation and the ability to rent land. This assertive stance for their rights provoked violent backlash. White vigilante groups emerged with the goal of quashing the laborers' calls for justice.
Such tensions escalated on November 23rd, 1887, when these vigilantes carried out a brutal and deliberate attack on Black workers and their families in Thibodaux, Louisiana. They searched homes, dragged unarmed Black residents out, and summarily executed them. The massacre claimed the lives of Black individuals indiscriminately, including the elderly, women, and children. Their only “offense” was the pursuit of equitable wages.
This painful chapter of our family history was unknown to us until a historian named John DeSantis reached out. He had been researching the Thibodaux Massacre for a book and found references to Jack Conrad in the archive of his military pension files. DeSantis would go on to use this information in his book entitled 'The Thibodaux Massacre: Racial Violence and the 1887 Sugar Cane Labor Strike.'
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
I’m not sure how or when I came across this book, but I’m so glad that I did. This book goes beyond typical discussions of racism and introduces the provocative idea that America has its own caste system, akin to those in India and the regime of Nazi Germany. Wilkerson reveals the unseen caste rules that dictate privileges, prejudices, and social positions – from who’s presumed innocent to who’s suspected, from who gets the job to who gets sidelined. Once you delve into this book, you’ll recognize the subtle yet powerful forces of this social stratification all around you.
I was thrilled to discover that Ava Duvernay's new film, Origin is based on this book. I'm very much looking forward to watching it!
america has lots of problems
I hope these recommendations serve as a powerful compass for those seeking to uncover the hidden truths about America. The books, movies, and documentaries mentioned offer windows into the untold stories, forgotten narratives, and often uncomfortable realities that shape our nation's history, culture, and identity.
In an era where sensationalism, propaganda, and historical omissions can cloud our understanding, it is crucial to embark on a journey of discovery, armed with knowledge and open minds. By engaging with these thought-provoking works, we can challenge the conventional narratives, dismantle harmful stereotypes, and gain a clearer, more holistic understanding of America's complexities.
Remember, the pursuit of truth and a more inclusive, equitable society is not a passive endeavor. We must actively seek diverse perspectives, question the status quo, and confront our own biases. By doing so, we contribute to a broader conversation, one that aims to dismantle systemic barriers and foster empathy, tolerance, and social progress.
Let us use the power of storytelling—through books, movies, and documentaries—as a catalyst for change and understanding. By unearthing the truth, we have the opportunity to shape a better future for ourselves and future generations.
A fantastic list - thank you!
Thank you so much for compiling this list! It can be hard to know where to start when diving into topics like these, so I so appreciate everything you've mapped out and your thorough descriptions :)