I Am Not Your Negro viewers praise "powerful" and "poetic" James Baldwin documentary
I Am Not Your Negro viewers have praised the "poetic" documentary for its "powerful" look at the lives – and deaths – of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr, through the eyes of James Baldwin.
As the conversation surrounding systemic racism and equality continues, following the death of George Floyd and the global Black Lives Matter protests, BBC Two aired the film tonight (June 20) – and those tuning in took to social media to encourage others to check it out.
Related: Netflix launches Black Lives Matter collection to highlight stories about the Black experience
Originally released in 2018 and directed by Raoul Peck, it sees Samuel L Jackson recite Baldwin's unfinished 30-page manuscript for his proposed book Remember This House. The notes look back on his relationships with the trio of aforementioned Black activists, as well as their similarities and differences.
"Watching [I Am Not Your Negro]. It was always going to be powerful stuff, but some of the writing about the American psyche (or rather the white American psyche) is sharp and poetic," a Twitter user gushed.
"#IamNotYourNegro is the most affecting documentary I've ever seen and one I would tell everyone I met that they absolutely have to watch," another claimed once the broadcast had finished.
Elsewhere, a third added: "[James Baldwin's] point early in the film – about realising that the country of your birth has not evolved a place for you – resonates with the significance of removing statues that are hostile to a sense of belonging for Black people in society today."
"Though it was an uncomfortable watch, I'm glad I watched I Am Not Your Negro. James Baldwin articulated a powerful and heartfelt message and it's a stain on society that decades after his death the fight is far from over," another wrote.
Read some more reactions below:
#IamNotYourNegro Powerful, articulate and intelligent. Baldwin is the voice of the civil rights generation to our current climate. If you missed it, watch it pic.twitter.com/O4HVQRezAz
— Jay Hayer (@jayhayer74) June 20, 2020
What a powerful piece of television. #IAmNotYourNegro @BBCTwo i will be watching it again.
— anita rani (@itsanitarani) June 20, 2020
#IamNotYourNegro James Baldwin could articulate himself flawlessly. His voice will be missed.
— John Steinbeck (@digitouttahere) June 20, 2020
Such a powerful and essential watch - make sure you watch I Am Not Your Negro (on iPlayer in the UK) #IAmNotYourNegro
— Bhushan Kumar (@bogeyno2) June 20, 2020
Just watched James Baldwin's #IamNotYourNegro on BBC2. Profound and completely moving. Watch it https://t.co/xG1Aj0Ei1z
— Lorraine McLoughlin (@LorraineMcLoug2) June 20, 2020
#IamNotYourNegro, what an amazing film. One of the hardest films I've ever watched but one I think everyone should see.#JamesBaldwin was an amazing man with an amazing mind.
— Simon Fletcher (@abookclubof1) June 20, 2020
Just watched #IamNotYourNegro again. James Baldwin was such an incredible brother. Always forthright and held no punches! #JUNETEENTH2020
— tee foster (@teedotfoster) June 20, 2020
Baldwin was a self-proclaimed optimist, and it seemed to come from believing change would come, and that change would bring with it individual and collective responsibility. I think we've seen a lot of that lately, for the better. More people wanting to do history proud. I hope.
— scott aa wilson (@scottaawilson) June 20, 2020
I Am Not Your Negro is available to catch up on on BBC iPlayer.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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