American Race

American Race is a thought-provoking and enlightening four-part documentary series from TNT that debuted in 2017. The series unreservedly and sincerely tackles one of the multifaceted and thorny issues that has colored the fabric of American society for centuries: race.

This ambitious production has a uniquely qualified host: Charles Barkley, the retired professional basketball player and current analyst on Inside the NBA. Throughout the series, Barkley employs his usual straightforward, no-holds-barred manner of dialogue, but he also reveals a side of himself that may surprise some viewers, showing his capability for deep introspection, sensitivity, and capacity to adapt. Barkley brings his personal experiences and perspective as an African-American man to authentically engage in complex conversations around racial issues.

American Race is not a lecture series, or a platform for Barkley to air his views uninterrupted. Instead, it is set as a road trip, with Barkley embarking on a journey across America to engage with everyday people, and initiate honest, uncomfortable, yet necessary conversations about race. The cities (Baltimore, MD; Irving, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; and Richard, AL) he travels to provide critical context for the discussions held in each episode.

In each city, Barkley not only sits down with community representatives, academics, and local figures, but also absorbs the realities faced by groups impacted first-hand by racial bias, discrimination, or hate. He visits shops, local landmarks, homes, places of worship, and even prisons, reaching out to people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds such as African-Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, whites, and Native Americans.

American Race is meticulously designed to explore different racial issues associated with each community, shining a light on the specific contexts that shape racial or ethnic relations in the respective cities. The show does not shy away from the hard-hitting subjects; episodes address a range of topics such as police brutality, immigration, the Los Angeles riots, white privilege, and the education system disparity – to name a few.

Through these immersive experiences, Barkley serves as a bridge, wall-breaker, and connector. His role goes beyond simply providing a platform for people’s individual stories or promoting dialogue. Instead, he seeks to demonstrate shared experiences, challenge biased viewpoints, create understanding, and foster empathy. Using the sport he loves as a metaphor, Barkley successfully illustrates the importance of teamwork in overcoming divisive racial issues in society.

This show is not designed to offer instant solutions to the problematic racial tensions intrinsic to American society. However, it poses important questions and provides a platform for silenced voices, helping to surface different identity struggles, personal experiences, and realities that exist in America. In doing so, American Race hopes to instigate deeper understanding, spark empathy, and advocate for change among its viewers.

Viewers shouldn't expect American Race to be an easy watch. Every moment is intended to challenge watchers to step outside their comfort zones, confront their own prejudice, and, most importantly, to listen. This is a powerful docuseries that ultimately challenges viewers to question their understanding of society, the people around them, and themselves.

American Race is both a social experiment and a sociocultural exploration of America’s racial landscape. As uncomfortable and controversial as the conversations might be at times, they are necessary in a society that struggles with the concepts of equality, deference, and unity. Even today, it stands as an influential piece of television that attempts to bridge the racial divide, and acts as a contemporary case study relevant to ongoing dialogues on race, diversity, and inclusion.

In conclusion, American Race may not provide all the answers, but it proves that having open, candid conversations can create pathways for change. These dialogues are integral to healing divides and encouraging unity in an increasingly diverse society. The series is an eye-opener intended to embolden viewers to engage in similar discussions in their communities to facilitate understanding and cultivate empathy. If viewers approach the series with an open mind, they may just find it a transformative experience that changes their perspectives on race in America.