TV Watch Part 1: CNN's Black in America

As my peeps know, my deep affection for television is very well known. I love TV and I think it is one of the most amazing mediums ever created.

Tonight there are two great examples of how TV can inform and entertain. Here is the first show:

CNN's "Black in America"
First up, CNN premieres the first installment of a two part “Black in America” series hosted by CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien.

Based on over a year of reporting, the series will attempt to shed light on the complex issue of race in an America facing the prospect of an African-American president in 2009.

Tonight’s episode is entitled “Black in America: The Black Woman and Family;” part 2, airing tomorrow night is “Black in America: The Black Man”. Both episodes will air for 2 hours beginning at 9pm ET.

Here is a preview for the series and a segment featuring Whoopi Goldberg talking about the challenges of being black in America (especially the "you are so articulate" comment those of in the know get ALL THE TIME - thank you Whoopi for articulating our frustration with the "compliment"):

Series preview:


Whoopi Goldberg segment:


According to Broadcast Newsroom, supports of the series apparently were so moved they went out and started their own social networking site for socially-conscious African-Americans, BlackInAmerica.com. I should note, the site is not affiliated with CNN. I'm going to check out the site and report back and let ya'll know what I think!

I will definitely tune in and I encourage others to do so as well. Both the New York Times and the Washington Post had favorable things to say about the series.