Watch Profiled: The Black Man

Profiled: The Black Man is a documentary-style show from discovery+ that explores the experiences of black men in America, focusing on the discriminatory treatment and social injustices they face as a result of their race. The show is hosted by journalist Jemele Hill, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the topic. Throughout the series, she interviews a diverse range of black men, from celebrities and public figures to everyday citizens, sharing their stories and shedding light on the unique challenges they face.

The introduction of each episode sets the tone, with stark statistics and data illustrating the extent of the problem. For example, one episode opens with the statement that a black boy born in America today will have a one in three chance of being sentenced to prison at some point in his life, compared to just one in six for Latino boys and one in 17 for white boys. This sets the stage for a discussion of the ways in which the justice system unfairly targets black men, from racial profiling to harsher sentencing.

The show covers a wide range of topics, including police brutality, healthcare disparities, and the impact of systemic racism on education and employment opportunities. Hill also explores the insidious ways in which racism manifests in everyday life, from microaggressions to the long-term effects of childhood trauma.

Throughout the series, the voices of black men themselves are front and center. In one particularly moving episode, Hill interviews a group of fathers who have lost their sons to police violence, allowing them to share their grief and their anger at a system that has failed their children. In another, she talks to a formerly incarcerated man who shares his experience of prison life and the challenges of re-entering society as a convicted felon.

One of the strengths of Profiled: The Black Man is its willingness to tackle difficult and uncomfortable topics head-on. For example, one episode explores the issue of colorism within the black community, with lighter-skinned black men often receiving preferential treatment over their darker-skinned counterparts. This is a topic that is rarely addressed in mainstream media, and the show's frank discussion of it is both refreshing and informative.

The show also doesn't shy away from the complex and nuanced nature of these issues. For example, while police brutality is an undeniable problem, the show also explores the challenges that police officers themselves face, including PTSD and a lack of training in dealing with mental health crises. Similarly, while the impact of systemic racism on education and employment is clear, the show also acknowledges the role that personal agency and individual responsibility play in these areas.

Overall, Profiled: The Black Man is a powerful and important series that sheds light on some of the most pressing issues facing black men in America today. Through honest and open discussions with a diverse range of voices, the show provides a platform for these men to share their stories and experiences, and to contribute to a much-needed conversation about the role that race plays in shaping our society.