We all know of the incredible Black figures Martin Luther King, Jr., and Harriet Tubman–but did our history classes teach us about the first Black woman to travel into space or the man who escaped slavery by mailing himself to Philadephia in a box? This hour-long feature recognizes these very heroes. In Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History, director Tom Stern delivers a pleasantly comedic take on some under-celebrated historical people in this part-fiction, part-documentary feature.
Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History begins with Hart’s fictional daughter Riley (Saniyya Sidney) throwing something at the TV after watching 12 Years a Slave. The preteen is hurt and embarrassed by the film and believes that Black people’s history is confined to slavery. Hart steps in to show her that she can be proud of her heritage. With historical comedy sketches, he demonstrates that Black men and women have overcome significant obstacles to make strides in politics, music, medicine, and more.
Throughout history, the contributions and achievements of Black people have been repeatedly erased. With this well in mind, Hart demolishes the misguided presumption that their sole contributions fall into the categories of abolition and civil rights (without minimizing those very strides). His narration overlays sketches that highlight Black accomplishments from George Speck’s invention of the potato chip to Josephine Baker’s success as a performer and a secret agent for the Allies during World War II. One of the more clever stories details the work of Dr. Vivian Thompson, whose surgical breakthroughs were credited to a White doctor. In the sketch, this is signified by the doctor’s pretending to operate with Thompson standing behind him, but using Thompson’s hands, which are wrapped around his waist.
While the scenes between Kevin Hart and his daughter feel unnatural (think a family sitcom’s comedic timing and style of acting), the comedy sketches will appeal to both children and adult viewers. The empowering anthology does not gloss over injustices but keeps a light-hearted tone that subverts children’s expectations for a dry history lesson. Some mild swearing makes parental guidance suggested, but note that this educational feature would be an engaging tool for a school classroom setting or family watch-through on the subject of race. Recommended for Black History Month library programming, as well as comedy and children’s film collections. Aud: I, J, H, P.