Black In America: A Special Report

An American Story:
For the second part of its Black in America series, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien traveled across the country, attending family reunions, visiting barbershops, and even going to prisons to explore the different facets of our lives  
By: Wendy L. Wilson

There is no easy way to characterize what it is like to be Black in America. Our experience has been vast and varied. But this July, CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien tries to answer the question in a pair of two-hour documentaries, CNN Presents: Black in America—Black Women & Family and CNN Presents: Black in America—Black Men. Earlier this year, while the nation marked the fortieth anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., O’Brien looked at how far we’ve come since his death. O’Brien spoke with Essence staff writer Wendy L. Wilson about the cable network’s decision to take on this most recent installment and her incredibly strong need to be a part of it.

Essence: How can you possibly examine the Black experience in just four hours?
Soledad O’Brien: It was very hard to tell a story effectively that captures the nuance of the Black experience because we know it’s not all prisons and poverty. But it’s also not all middle-class and upper-class success either. That was really our biggest challenge. We wanted to tell a story that was real, so that people will watch it and nod their heads saying, “Yes, that’s it.” It’s extremely critical that a story this big and this important be told the right way.

Essence: What will we learn from the Black Men documentary?
O’Brien: We decided to go to Little Rock Central High School’s class of 1968. This was the class that graduated ten years after forced integration, and the year that Dr. King was assassinated. We found four guys and just followed them. They talked about walking through the halls—even though it was ten years after integration—and still being spat upon. They talked about the day Dr. King died and how the other students were screaming, “Your Black Jesus is dead!” Some of them went on to have raging drug problems, and others have become incredibly successful. By following their struggles, we’re looking at the struggles of Black people in America and finding out why some were able to live their dreams while others were not.

Essence: Why did you separate the series into one about Black men and one about Black women and family?
O’Brien: My own mother asked that question. Honestly, we could have focused this story in 25 different ways, we just had so much to cover. As we were putting the story together, we saw [the pieces] falling into issues that specifically affect Black men and other issues that specifically affect Black women and the community.

Essence: Were there any surprises?
O’Brien: Part of our story took us to San Quentin State Prison, where they have educational programs that allow inmates to earn their GED or take college classes. A woman who teaches in the college program is also an instructor at UC Berkeley, and she says the inmates are actually more motivated than her students at Berkeley, which surprised me. We talked to 25-year-old Chris, who is in jail for selling crack. He dropped out when he was 16 but is now taking college classes in jail. I asked him why do this now when he could have done it nine years ago. He said he had been embarrassed [in school] because he couldn’t keep up with the work and didn’t want everyone to think he was stupid. For him it was easier to drop out than to be humiliated every day.

Essence: So what happens to Chris when he completes his sentence?
O’Brien: What do you do with a population of young Black men with no education, who can’t get into public housing, can’t vote, or find a job? The chances are he’s going to fall back into that pipeline back to prison.

 

Class Acts | Up-and-coming African-Americans and their working-class neighbors continue to clash. Can we all just get along? read full story »
40 Acres and a Mule | How reparations activist Deadria Farmer-Paellmann turned a one-woman campaign into a triumphant national movement read full story »
Women of War | Four sisters—a worried wife, a deployed soldier, a wounded warrior and a ready recruit—share their war testimonials and explain how it changed their lives for better or worse read full story »
An American Story | CNN's Soledad O'Brien traveled across the country, attending family reunions, visiting barbershops, and even going to prisons to explore the different facets of our lives read full story »
Death Sentence | Since 1980, the suicide rate among young Black men has doubled in poor and affluent homes read full story »
Arrested Development | ESSENCE explores why so many of our young kids are being treated
like criminals read full story »
Political Movers and Shakers | Meet the African-American women who influence and shape the 2008
presidential campaign read full story »
We've Come This Far By Faith | An associate general counsel integrates a southern school in 1965 read full story »
License To Kill | Far too many Black men have become victims of gun violence read full story »
Health Care 101 | Improve your health with these helpful tips read full story »
The History of AIDS | A 25-year timeline of AIDS in our community read full story »
The 2008 Bold & Beautiful | This year's courageous women who are setting historical precedents read full story »
The 2007 Bold & Beautiful | ESSENCE salutes Maya Angelou, Holly Robinson Peete and others read full story »
The 2006 Bold & Beautiful | Meet 25 of the world's most inspiring Black women read full story »
Most Influential African Americans of 2007 | ESSENCE pays homage to our inspiring leaders read full story »
Women of Influence 2007 | Meet 11 women who are revolutionizing the world read full story »
Who Killed King? | A new CNN documentary examines King's final hours read full story »
She Dreamed A World | We say good-bye to Coretta Scott King read full story »
Preserving the Dream | Dr. King's personal papers sell for $32 million read full story »
Dreams of My Father | Bernice King, talks about her father's legacy read full story »
No More Marches | Jill Nelson on why she has hung up her marching shoes read full story »

 

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Please, explain who decided to call our black americans, african americans?. Have we not proven that we are just american like any other race.. Our caucausian brothers and sisters are not identifed as European american, just as american. " When did we stop being Black".
2:05 PM | Patricia Bracken - Fort Worth, Texas
Thank you, Ms. O'Brien. Most people aren't aware of the "reality" that the average African American deals with on a daily basis. The vast majority of African Americans that I have known are hard working, law abiding taxpayers! We've always found ways to transcend our obstacles and we aren't always given credit where it's due!
12:59 AM | Gail Cooper
I always wondered if I had the chance to speak like this, what would I say. I'd like to explain what I've learned along my road of blackness. What I've learned is that my race is really no different from the other races, we have dreams, laugh, get disappointed, frustrated, hurt cry, don't like all behavior & attitudes of our race, and the list goes on. As mentioned in your article, there are alot of blacks that are gainfully employed, highly educated, strong family ties generation after generation. Thereare good and bad IN EVERY RACE and just like the other races we have our "what ifs" and " if only's". I don't understand how other races apply negative to the whole black race if one offends them BUT it is expected of us to forgive and love the other races that offend us, whether it be one or a million and one. The latter is a better but it gets mighty hard sometimes when it's repeated time after time, generation after generation. We are displeased with the thugs in our race as the wh
3:38 PM | Rayne
After reading this article i have been intrigued to tune in to this documentary. Thanks you Ms. O'brien for the insight that has been presented.I would like to agree with the comments made ealier, we as a people are still grouped together when ONE of us does something stupid or ignorant. Instead of drawing from the negativity of a few why aren't we banding together as a nation to forge ahead for change as a whole? The key to societal growth is education and self-love.
9:31 PM | T. Searcy
I wish that CNN would address some of the issues that senior African American women face. I have a story for Soledad O'Brien that I haven't seen or heard anywhere.
6:15 PM | Jan Mitchell
I am black and I am proud to be black! I also want to thank GOD for my parents (both retired educators) who decided to bring me into this world for such a time as this. Time for my husband & I to impart solid morals and values into our sons like our parents did for us.

To be honest, I don't think the color of our skin has anything to do with anything. All I do know, we should serve and reverance GOD who loves us all, no matter what because HE knows the end from the beginning.

10:27 AM | Shaun Young
I think it is awesome that CNN is doing this. I like the fact that Soledad said that it is story about Americans (who are black), which means we all need to watch it! However, her answer to your question about the young man named Chris who is in prison was NEGATIVE, IRRESPONSIBLE AND FAITHLESS!!! We have to STOP speaking negativiity into their lives! Chris could be one of the overcomers, if he and those of us out here in society would just SPEAK IT into his life!! So...I SPEAK VICTORY FOR CHRIS WHEN HE COMES BACK INTO OUR SOCIETY!!! I SPEAK POSITIVITY, A DOUBLE RESTORATION (LIKE JOB) AND GREATNESS!!! Soledad, don't half-step! Since you are stepping out on faith and doing this project, put some faith and belief behind it!
8:25 PM | Alicia
Soledad,

Thank you for bringing out the best in blacks in America. We need to show that people of color are not on drugs and getting into trouble. A good wake up call would be to go to some of the black collesges like Tuskegee and see the families and students during graduation.

Keep up the good work.

11:40 AM | Anonymous
The reponse to the question about Chris's chances after prison was appropriate and honest. He faces an uphill battle against rules society has set in place for those who have served their time. The restrictions imposed on ex-convicts must be lightened to enable them to return to society.
9:06 AM | Anonymous
I am glad that my history teacher (Gil-Scott Heron) is back on the scene. I haven't hear the truth about American since his HIATIUS.
2:51 PM | rwilliams
We live in a country were their will always be oppression, a sacrifice that African Americans have dealt with for many years, we will always have am inbalance between cultures, and its unfortunate that the black race will continue to struggle and sacrifice in White America. This story proves that education about the struggles in America will open the eyes of other cultures and hopefully provide equality within our country, which will someday make oppression, suffering, and struggle for African Americansa thing of the past.
9:34 AM | Product of my environment!
I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE DOCUMENTAY AIRS, I REALLY THINK IT WILL BE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
3:33 PM | eager
Thank you Soledad for the story..I will also thank Dr. King and many other civil rights activist throughout the years. Last but not least, I thank Barack Obama because this may not have been a story had he not been in the position that he is today. This is a great opportunity for Americans but also a great opportunity for CNN. I too believe that education is the key. But I believe that it is God who orchestrates all things. I must be frank; I am 53 years old and I did not expect a black man to havea solid chance at presidency in this U.S.A. But only God could create a situation that would allow the people of this country (regardless of race, creed or color) to elect a man president that happens to be "black". "Keep up the good work Soledad".
7:53 PM | Marvin
I LOVE READING ESSENCE
2:58 PM | Anonymous
I am just a little suspicous about the timing of this "special" why now? Has it anything to do with Ms. O'Brien's support of Mr. Obama? Hmmmm.......
7:16 PM | Josephine O'Rourke New York
until Black America help to uplift the black continent (Africa)all efforts at fighting discrimination,injustice,inequallity etc will prove futile.CNN must not only show the negative images of the black race.Be it in Africa ,carribean,or the USA.Please there are some good developements apart from the poverty ,wars ,drugs ,aids etc .Get out there and look for the Positives too even if it will not pay much.Thanks for your good work.
10:55 PM | samuel Asante
Looking forward to watching this. I appreciate that the black experience is being shown through the different stories of individual people and families rather than the statistics and stereotypes that often strangle dialogue on race. I agree that it is important to show "mainstream" America our success stories. But I think more importantly, as black people, it is important for us to be able to see our own diversity on display, to celebrate ourselves and each other, and to remind ourselves that despite society???s burning need to somehow define us, all we have to be is the best we can be. I was especially moved by Ms. Barnes story, and I wish her and her family all the best in the future.
12:08 AM | Jacki
i thank that every black female and male in the united states should read this its a testimony of how one person can make a different in what they believe in i give her my props and thanks for sharing her story with the world..
5:50 PM | jeremiah burch
The is a story that has needed to be shared for a number of years in America well done CNN.
1:53 AM | Anonymous
The first part of CNN's BLACK IN AMERICA was just OK for it did not talk about anything that most BLACK people already did not know. But there was one part which really gets me because even Tyra Banks shows her stupity on this subject a lot which deals with Interracial Relationships.

1. White men and Asian Women has the HIGHEST RATE as to dating and marrying. Their rate is more then twice those of BLACK MEN and WHITE WOMEN.

2. Until the case of LOVINGS Vs the State Of VA, interracial relationships rate between white and black people was a WHITE MAN/BLACK WOMAN. The reason was because if a BLACK MAN even looked a WHITE WOMEN in the eye he was risking his life. And, I found it was strange this case was NOT even touch. For if a BLACK MAN/WHITE WOMAN brought this case forward to the Courts, it was really beat the case would have been thrown out.

Overall the show was just OK and nothing more. But, I really wish that people who does stories like this should really do their homework m

4:57 PM | The Real McCoy
Thank for showing a balanced view of black america. Big up to CNN.
1:48 AM | Adrian
OH i missed it! I caught the last 30 min w/ Dr. Dyson and his brother? I know that Dr. Dyson has more to say with regard to the light/dark skin issues that continue within the "black" community. pls believe me black people it unfortunately does exist; for those of you who do not understand why this really saddens me lookup the "willie lynch papers" and then talk to me. lets love ourselves black people and support oneanother and not hate. EACH ONE REACH ONE!
2:12 AM | Ms. Hill
I Think the next topic sould be why do they the people hate blacks. Then we can start to fix what wrong with this world today.
1:06 PM | Rico
My comment on the O'Brien report of the interview in San Quintan prison, is she is so correct about what will happen when the inmate whom she interviewed was relased from prison. Most State correctional facility took away the education program from the jails, so whenever an inmate is released, he/she have no further education, no job skills, beside the skills they learned working for the industries in jail, and furthermore when they do come out and try to get their lives together to prevent them from returning, no employer wants to hire them because they have a record. Which I belive is unfair, once a person served their time, they should be given the opportunity to turn over a new leaf and start fresh, but for African-Americans there is no new start, but for anyone else of another race they will always be given a second chance. And that is why most African-Americans inmates become repeated offenders, because no one wants to hire them, so they end up on the streets in a life of crime
1:34 PM | Anonymous
How can you possibly examine the Black experience in just four hours?

You spoke on the challenges of diversity within the black communities but didn't answer the question. Media slick huh!

Why did you separate the series into one about Black men and oneabout Black women and family?As we were putting the story together, we saw [the pieces] falling into issues that specifically affect Black men and other issues that specifically affect Black women and the community.

Tell me one racial issue that impactsus separately as men and women!

Media slick huh!

3:09 PM | Roderick