Watch Black Power: A British Story of Resistance

Black Power: A British Story of Resistance is a 2021 four-part documentary series created and directed by George Amponsah. The series tells the story of Black Power in Britain from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, focusing on the grassroots movement that emerged in response to institutional racism, police brutality, and systemic oppression faced by Black communities at the time.

The series begins by exploring the political climate of Britain in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time when the country was undergoing significant social upheaval. At the same time, Britain's Black communities were becoming increasingly politicized, drawing inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and anti-colonial struggles in Africa and the Caribbean.

The first episode, "Beginning," sets the tone for the series by contextualizing the historical and political factors that led to the emergence of Black Power in Britain. Using archival footage and interviews with key activists, including Darcus Howe, Altheia Jones-LeCointe, and Farrukh Dhondy, the episode explores the roots of Black activism in Britain and the various factors that contributed to its growth.

The second episode, "The Uneasy Alliance," focuses on the relationship between Black Power and the broader left-wing movement in Britain. The episode charts the uneasy alliance between Black activists and anti-colonialists on the one hand and white socialists on the other. It explores the various ways in which these two groups worked together (and sometimes against each other) to achieve their respective goals.

The third episode, "Policing," examines the ways in which the police in Britain targeted Black communities during the 1970s and 1980s. The episode includes interviews with activists who experienced police violence firsthand, as well as archival footage showcasing the extent to which Black communities were subject to surveillance, harassment, and brutality.

The final episode, "Repression and Resistance," explores the legacy of Black Power in Britain and the ways in which Black communities today continue to resist racism and oppression. The episode also touches on the victories and setbacks of the Black Power movement and the broader impact it had on British society.

Throughout the series, Black Power: A British Story of Resistance highlights the key role played by Black women in the movement, an often-overlooked aspect of Black Power history. The series also explores the relationship between Black activism in Britain and wider global movements, highlighting the interconnectedness of struggles against racism and oppression.

Overall, Black Power: A British Story of Resistance provides a compelling and nuanced exploration of the history of Black Power in Britain, shedding light on a crucial moment in the country's political and social development. Through its combination of archival footage and in-depth interviews with activists, the series offers a rich and complex portrait of a movement that continues to shape British society today.

Black Power: A British Story of Resistance is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on September 17, 2021.