The poignant film, Judas and the Black Messiah is the story we all needed to cap off this Black History Month. The Black Panthers are a controversial, but impactful organization. Fred Hampton was a prominent leader and chairman. His work has influenced many generations of Black people and activists across the globe. This film gives Fred Hampton his flowers while depicting the betrayal from an FBI informant, William O' Neal. Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield do an excellent job bringing these characters to life as well.
Even though Fred and the Black Panthers were fighting for Black Liberation and equality not everyone felt the same. Black people are not a monolith and this film makes that ring true. All Black People don't set out to protect or unite with their own and the systems set against us can turn and place us against each other and William O'Neal is a polarizing part of this story that provokes conversation around Black Unity. His actions are controversial but, he was a Black man caught in the middle of a system he had no leverage against or in. He represents so many just like him and is a figure of discussion. The Black Panther Party and Fred Hampton will continue to live on through the countless Black people in current society fighting and advocating for Black people's rights and freedom. Judas and the Black Messiah is a great way to close out Black History Month and learn more about the leaders that came before us.