By: Hagar Ezzo
The recent events have been a lot to take in, from the BLM protests, the #MeToo movement in Egypt, and the general virus-infected state of the world. If you live under a rock and don’t know what’s been happening recently, I suggest you take advantage of this “coronacation” and watch some of these shows to help educate yourself on the current issues of the world.
- The Handmaid’s Tale
Set in what used to be the United States, now called Gilead, and with a plummeting birth rate, women are treated as property, and anyone who tries to escape is punished. The show revolves around June, who is caught escaping and forced to become a handmaid, carrying children for those who don’t have any.
- The Chi
Based in Chicago, a bunch of teens try to make a living for themselves – but it’s not that easy in a rough neighborhood where you’re one decision away from life and/or death.
- Orange Is The New Black
Following Piper Chapman, who got sentenced to 15 months in a women’s prison after transporting drug money. With its diverse cast, sense of humor and charm, OITNB has racked up quite a fan base.
- Dear White People
Following a group of black students in an Ivy League School, Dear White People deals with police brutality and it’s PTSD, interracial relationships, online harrassment, addiction, and everything else in between.
Even though I included this one in my last article, I have to give it a spot here too. Yes, it’s that good.
- Seven Seconds
When a 15 year old black boy is left for dead in a hit-and-run with a white police officer behind the wheel, we get to see the aftermath of this crime. Coverups, unfair charges, and faults in the justice system are a few things Seven Seconds shows us.
- Ramy
Ramy Hassan is an egyptian-american struggling with life in New Jersey. Stuck between a muslim community where morals are everything, and a generation that’s basically “fuck all”, Ramy shows us what it’s like to be torn between two opposing lifestyles.
- Vida
Two mexican-american sisters from East LA that have no relationship with each other whatsoever are reluctantly brought together after a death in the family. Resulting in repressed feelings coming to light and hidden truths about their family being uncovered, Vida should definitely be on your Watch list.
- The Mindy Project
An obstetrician and gynecologist in New York City, Mindy Lahiri struggles to balance her love life and professional life, but with the help of her co-workers, anything is possible.
- The Good Place
Taking place in the afterlife, Eleanor Shellstrop is welcomed by Michael to “the Good Place”, a heaven-like utopia. However, Eleanor soon realizes that she’s been wrongfully placed, and tries to hide her past in order to stay.
- Grace and Frankie
Two lifelong rivals have always been one-upping each other. All that changes though, when their husbands fall in love with each other and they have no one to rely on.
- 13TH
13TH is a documentary about the history of racial inequality in the United states, and how the country’s prisons are filled with an alarming amount of African-Americans. A white person can commit the same crime as a black person, but may get off with a warning, while a black person could get a life sentence. It’s the ugly truth.
Each of these shows deal with real life issues in their own way, and in our day and age, it’s important to stay educated. If reading books and researching aren’t your thing, why not watch a couple of these shows? Stay woke.
