'12 Years a Slave' Book and Film to be Taught in High Schools

Kids used to read books like Roots and Uncle Tom’s Cabin to learn about slavery in high school, but now films are being added to the curriculum: Best Picture nominee 12 Years a Slave, to be exact. 

Author Solomon Northup’s harrowing book “12 Years A Slave,” and the Oscar-nominated film it inspired, will be added to the high school curriculum later this year, thanks in part to a campaign spearheaded talk show host Montel Williams who, coordinated this initiative, saying in a press statement, “When Hollywood is at its best, the power of the movies can be harnessed into a powerful educational tool.”

The National School Boards Association announced their partnership with Penguin Books, New Regency, and 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen on their website this weekend. In the statement, McQueen says, “Since first reading 12 Years a Slave, it has been my dream that this book be taught in schools.” TV veteran Williams is funding the distribution of the film.

The film follows Solomon Northup (Best Actor contender Chiwetel Ejiofor), a formerly free man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. 

“When Hollywood is at its best, the power of the movies can be harnessed into a powerful educational tool,” read a statement from Williams. “This film uniquely highlights a shameful period in American history, and in doing so will evoke in students a desire to not repeat the evils of the past while inspiring them to dream big of a better and brighter future.” Director Steve McQueen adds, “Since first reading ‘12 Years a Slave,’ it has been my dream that this book be taught in schools.”

The news comes just two days after the film triumphed at the NAACP Image Awards and a day after it picked up the Best Motion Picture prize at the annual Satellite Awards, where McQueen was named Best Director.

The film chronicles his time spent as a slave, where he meets Patsey (Best Supporting Actress nominee Lupita Nyong’o) and suffers the wrath of plantation owners. It’s based on a book of the same name, a memoir by Northup himself. 

”Allowing students to see the tragic circumstances and messages conveyed through these works are vital to

learning and reflection on our nation’s era of slavery,” said NSBA’s executive director Thomas J. Gentzel in the statement.

Distribution of the film and book will begin in September at the start of the new school year.

“12 Years a Slave” is also nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars on Sunday.