The Talk: Race in America

The Talk: Race in America is a profound and timely two-hour documentary released in 2017. This documentary presents a series of personal narratives that delve into the pivotal and emotionally charged conversations held about race by parents of color, particularly black and Hispanic parents, with their children. Specifically, these conversations detail the history, dynamics, and continued implications of being a person of color in America, in an attempt to prepare their kids for the potential social and institutional biases they may encounter.

Having Kenya Barris, a renowned television writer and producer, renowned for his work on the TV show "Black-ish", adds a significant degree of depth and credibility to what would otherwise be a challenging narrative to navigate. Similarly, the inclusion of Nas, a popular rapper known for his thoughtful lyrics on social issues, adds a unique and resonant voice to the stories being told.

This documentary is essentially an exploration of ‘’the talk’’ – a rite of passage where people of color have honest and open dialogues with their younger ones about how to behave if they are ever stopped by the police. It is a tradition born out of necessity, a survival strategy to counteract the harsh reality of racial profiling. It attempts to dissect the significant issue of racial disparity in the American criminal justice system.

The documentary is designed to be a cinema verite and includes several sections, each focusing on a particular racial issue from different perspectives. It features personal experiences, thoughts, and opinions from diverse sets of individuals across the nation; including parents, children, police officers, and educators.

One of the underlying themes of The Talk: Race in America is the human impact and toll of racial disparity on both physical safety and psychological well-being of people of color. The wide-reaching implications permeate through several aspects of life, such as education, career opportunities, and overall societal viewpoints.

Kenya Barris voices the experience of Black parents preparing their children for encounters with law enforcement. Barris also explores the continued racial stereotypes, biases, and prejudices that people of color are often subject to and how these assumptions can lead to devastating outcomes. The section delves further into how this necessitates the implementation of 'the talk' to provide their children with tools to navigate life safely in an inherently biased society.

Nas, on the other hand, discusses the impact of these conversations on one's self-perception and identity. He delves into how these talks can shape a person's self-worth, understanding of societal standing, and perspective of their place in the world. Nas's personal life experiences provide a poignant backdrop to his narration, making it relatable and impactful.

The documentary also emphasizes the importance of understanding and empathy in tackling these issues, emphasizing that this is not only a problem rooted in the past but a pressing issue in the present-day United States. The focus is not just on highlighting the problem but also exploring potential solutions and advocating for societal changes to dismantle these ingrained biases and prejudices.

Expert views from criminologists, sociologists, and scholars are strategically sprinkled throughout the documentary, offering scholarly insights that help put 'the talk' into perspective.

In essence, "The Talk: Race in America" offers an intimate look into a critical and nation-wide issue often brushed under the carpet in America, touching on racially charged incidents, divisive policing methods, systemic discrimination, community activism, and much more. It is an emotionally engaging, thought-provoking, and enlightening film that implores viewers to pause and reflect on these issues with fresh eyes.

Perfect for those interested in social justice and societal issues, the documentary transcends the walls of entertainment to serve as an educational guide as much as it is a call-to-action. It encourages conversations about racial disparities and implicit bias and challenges us to confront these uncomfortable realities head-on.

Whether viewers are familiar with the dynamics of 'the talk' or unaware of its existence until now, they will walk away from this documentary with an increased level of understanding, empathy, and awareness of this critical aspect of American life.