I have always been fascinated with the human experience. It’s one of the reasons why I love to travel. It’s also why my bookshelf is filled with autobiographies and my Netflix history is mostly documentaries.
Documentaries provide an opportunity to explore other cultures; gain new perspectives; learn varied ways that people experience of love, happiness, fear and sadness; and see how people overcome adversity. I welcome opportunities to temporarily step out of my microcosm and broaden my sense of human interconnectedness. Feel free to imagine me with a flower in my hair while singing, “What the World Needs Now is Love.”
I truly believe that learning about diverse lived experiences has made me more compassionate in my work as a UX designer.
The following 5 social and cultural documentaries…
- share stories of people often overlooked
- shine a light on the impacts of exclusion
- show how people are trying to influence change
Disclosure
1h 40m | Watch Disclosure on Netflix
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/612af56c2765f9ca8d1bc846/61f86324d85ed5cbe93b31d8_1*yw_xgIDffHUtQGGvKcMlvw.png)
Trans creatives share their perspectives about trans inclusive filmmaking and Hollywood’s depiction of transgender people. The documentary examines the impact that Hollywood’s under- and misrepresentation has had on the transgender community & American culture.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
1h 42m | Watch Crip Camp on Netflix
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/612af56c2765f9ca8d1bc846/61f86324f5bd297522f9675c_1*-HlKN2d95bYVqchxmQmm7w.png)
A group of teens with disabilities attend a summer camp where they finally feel a sense of belonging, built a lifelong bond, later joined the disability rights movement, and influenced the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
They Gotta Have Us
3 episodes | Watch They Gotta Have Us on Netflix
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/612af56c2765f9ca8d1bc846/61f86325a9dad1aa89460bb2_1*fWrIBe37_8NNaq_7mnt8XQ.jpeg)
Entertainers recollect the history of inequality for Black actors and filmmakers in Hollywood. They discuss pivotal films from the 1930s to the present, highlight pressures of being ‘the-first’, and discuss many hurdles on the path to equity, diversity & inclusion.
Found
1h 38m | Watch Found on Netflix
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/612af56c2765f9ca8d1bc846/61f870371280ca4260935bff_found.jpg)
Three adopted teenage girls embark on a journey to China together in search of answers about their lost history. The film puts human faces on China’s one-child policy, explores their feelings of rejection, and challenges the traditional narrative that girls in China are simply unwanted.
This Changes Everything
1h 35m | Watch This Changes Everything on Netflix
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/612af56c2765f9ca8d1bc846/61f87053d1d5145306d989ef_this_changes.jpeg)
Actresses spotlight examples of gender discrimination in the entertainment industry and how women in Hollywood are pushing for more representation in front of & behind the camera.
Final Thoughts
Learning about the lives of people who are different from me is always so eye-opening. And, I truly believe that learning about diverse lived experiences has made me more compassionate in my work as a UX designer.
I hope you enjoy these films!
Update May 22, 2022: I've published 5 More Films About Stories of Inclusion
--
Thanks for reading. If you know anyone who would find this useful, please share. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to contact me.