Whether you’re staying close to home this holiday or gearing up for a busy season of traveling, we’ve compiled a go-to list of what to read, watch, and listen to – all through a social justice lens. Following major wins for democracy, drug reform, and abortion rights, we hope this list of binge-worthy picks helps you enter this New Year rested, restored, and hopeful for a better Ohio.
Enjoy solo or share with family and friends; and get ready to keep fighting with us in 2024. From all of us at the ACLU of Ohio, happy holidays to you and yours!
- At Liberty Podcast: This weekly podcast, hosted by the ACLU, explores the top issues surrounding civil liberties and current events. Recent episodes highlight matters ranging from student debt and abortion rights to recent elections and the United States Supreme Court. Listen online or through your favorite podcast app.
- The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson: The 2017 documentary details the life and death of LGBTQ+ rights activist and leader of the movement, Marsha P. Johnson. Intertwining the history of the gay rights movement with a celebration of her legacy, trans activist Victoria Cruz sets out on a journey to discover the truth about the unfortunate loss of Johnson in 1992. Available to stream on Netflix.
- The Fight: The 2020 documentary, The Fight, details the legal journey of five ACLU lawyers committed to protecting critical rights, ranging from abortion access and trans rights to immigration and voter access, through four unique court battles during the Trump Administration. The film highlights the organization’s ongoing efforts to secure our civil liberties across the United States. Available to stream on Hulu.
- Fight of the Century: Writers Reflect on 100 Years of Landmark ACLU Cases: In honor of the ACLU’s 100th anniversary in 2020, the organization brought together a wide variety of talented writers to contribute an original piece detailing a landmark ACLU court case. The anthology of essays was created in collaboration between the ACLU and authors Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman.
- Loving: Loving recounts the story of Mildred and Richard Loving, an interracial married couple rising above the odds to combat racism, and the continuous impact of their commitment to each other. What began as the unconstitutional exile of an innocent married couple led to the ground-breaking United States Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia, legalizing interracial marriage across the country in 1967. The Lovings were represented by legal resources provided by the ACLU. Available to stream on Netflix.
- The Janes: During the 1970s, a secret network of female activists in Chicago utilized code names and safe houses to create underground service for those needing abortion access, despite the procedure being outlawed by the State Legislature. This documentary provides first-hand account from the women who referred to themselves as “Jane” and defied the state to protect the rights of those in need. Available to stream on HBOMax.
- Just Mercy: Just Mercy – both the memoir and film of the same title featuring Michael B. Jordan – shares the unforgettable account of Bryan Stevenson. A young lawyer, Stevenson created the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending the rights of vulnerable communities and those wrongly condemned. His first case involves the riveting story of Walter McMillian, a man on death row for a murder he insisted he did not commit. Available to stream on Hulu.
- On the Basis of Sex and RBG: Both the inspiring 2018 documentary, RBG, and the 2019 biographical drama, On the Basis of Sex, detail the powerful life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. During her time as an attorney and the second woman to be elected to the United States Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg dedicated her career to ending gender discrimination and fighting for equal rights. Available to stream on Hulu.
