Let me tell you something.
In Black Reconstruction, when writing about the commonalities
between working-class Blacks and whites, W.E.B. Du Bois wrote...
[Du Bois] The white laborers, while they received a low wage,
were compensated in part by a public and psychological wage.
They were given public deference and titles of courtesy
because they were white.
White laborers were admitted freely with all classes of white people
to public functions,
public parks, and the best schools.
The police were drawn from their ranks,
and the courts, dependent on their votes, treated them with such leniency
as to encourage lawlessness.
[man] Cadet officers learn how a group of men working as one
can be an effective wedge between destructive mobs
and the peaceful citizen and his property.
You know what we call that now? Same thing it was then.
White privilege.
Growing up with white parents,
I moved through life with their audacity of whiteness.
I assumed their privilege was mine. I was in for a rude awakening.
[crowd booing]
[commentator] Backlash is growing against Colin Kaepernick
after the 49ers quarterback refused to stand
during the national anthem at a game played last Friday.
Who knows what Kaepernick thinks or why he's so unhappy?
Colin, here's my salute to you.
["Star-Spangled Banner" playing over speaker]
Not standing up for "The Star-Spangled Banner"
is the wrong way to protest.
Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out. He's fired. He's fired!
[crowd cheering]
This is an attack on the country.
[woman] He's un-American, and he doesn't deserve to be in our country.
[man] All Whites Matter.
[Colin] But way before that, right before my junior year,
I still had a lot to learn about the way the world works.
[commentator] It's a screen and Green is able to cut back and pick up nine
-and is right there to recover it. -Oh!
Butterfingers.
Better hit the sack, Colin.
You have to pitch seven innings in Palmdale in the morning.
-Can we at least finish the game? -No. You won't wanna get up.
You too, Rick.
Okay, almost done.
I've got directions mapped out
for every tournament for the next five weekends.
Dad, we should probably get one of those, um, GPS things
-for the minivan, right? -Mm.
Why would I rely on something that malfunctions if it's cloudy
when I can just rely on this?
Because it won't get us lost for four hours in Arcata.
Jeez, come on, I get lost one time--
-No! Excuse me. Flagstaff. -Okay, well--
-Boulder City! -Medford.
Okay, okay, okay.
-I mean, Boulder City was very foggy. -What?
And he said, "Take a left at the Walmart."
-No! Ugh! -There was no Walmart.
Rise and shine! It's game day.
[Colin] While being a quarterback was definitely my plan, I loved baseball too.
It was another way to show the world the kind of athlete I could be.
Good morning.
-How's that arm? -Ooh, like ten or 11 strikeouts.
-That's what I'm talking about! -Whoo! Psych!
-You're in a good mood. -Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? Life's good.
What would make life even better is if you shave the fuzz off that lip.
You gotta be clean-shaven to play for the Yankees. That's a rule.
Oh, man. That's why I'm a Brewers fan.
I knew I liked you.
[young Colin] Ooh.
-What is this? -It's a frittata.
-A fri-what? -A frittata.
I don't know what it is, but I'm down for anything today.
[Rick] Mm.
[coughs]
Mm. Mm.
No, don't drown it-- You won't be able to taste the spices.
It's great. It just needs a little ketchup.
You've done it again.
Mm.
[Christian rock playing over stereo]
♪ ...in victory ♪
♪ I will rise... ♪
-Can we change the music? -Driver's choice.
♪ My story ends in victory... ♪
Anything interesting?
[Teresa] President Bush is just doing his best to keep us safe.
Protect us from all those terrorists.
-Yeah, good for him. -[Teresa] Yeah.
Can we turn down the air please? It's freezing.
[in singsong] No, we can't. But next time you can bring a jacket.
♪ I'm no longer lost... ♪
[radar speed gun beeping]
[chattering]
Damn. You gonna eat the whole cup?
Maybe. And the stick too.
Oh, shit. It's time for my second round.
Let's get it.
-Hi. Thank you. -Okay.
Thank you.
Awesome.
Hi. Can I have an ice cream, please?
Sorry, gave you one already.
Oh, but everybody got one already.
I'm not sure about everybody. I'm sure you did, though.
Hey.
-Where's your ice cream? -She said I already had one.
What? Everybody already got one.
Hold on, I'll be right back.
No, no, it's cool, I--
No, I'm not getting one for you. I'm getting my second second.
[Colin] Like I said, no idea how it worked.
["Star-Spangled Banner" playing]
Not yet, anyway.
Thank you.
["Star-Spangled Banner" continues playing over PA]
[Colin] At least on the field, I knew what the rules were,
-and I knew what I was doing. -Let's go, boys. Let's play.
[teammates shouting]
Strike!
Come on!
Oh, that is a generous strike zone.
-Come on, Jake. -[boy] Come on. Come on. You got it.
Let's go, kid!
-[umpire] Strike! -You kidding me?
-Come on, ump! -[man] Good, David.
-Good. -[Rick] Good eye, Jake.
Big strike right now! Big strike right now!
-[umpire] Strike three. You're out. -Are you serious?
You need to cool off, son.
-Damn it! Kidding me! Come on! -It's all right. It's all right.
[Colin] The ump was making some bad calls.
-But Jake's reaction was a bit much. -[Teresa] Come on!
Let's go, Kaepernick!
Whoo!
[Colin] I wasn't worried.
All I needed was a halfway decent pitch to knock one out of the park.
[umpire] Strike!
-Come on! -[Rick] Come on, ump!
-You see? Can you believe it? -Somebody forgot his glasses.
-Good eye, Colin. -[boy 1] You got this.
-Colin, hit the ball. -[boy 2] Colin, Colin.
[umpire] Strike!
-Open your eyes, ump! -[boy 3] You got this. You got it!
-[boy 4] Let's go, Kap. -[boy 5] Come on.
-He ain't got nothing on you. -Play smart.
-You got this. -Come on, Colin.
You got this!
[Rick] Let's go, Colin!
[umpire] Strike!
Ridiculous.
Hey, watch your tone, or you'll be sitting in the locker room.
[Colin] At that moment, I'm wondering why Jake got a pass, and I got scolded.
Colin's gonna have to watch that mouth of his.
You're right about that.
♪ Rise and shine ♪
♪ It's game day It's game day, game day ♪
♪ Rise and shine ♪
♪ It's game day It's game day, game day ♪
♪ Rise and shine ♪
Let's do this.
♪ It's game day It's game day ♪
[Rick] Thursday, a night game.
How's that arm feeling?
Strong.
That mustache.
I don't like it.
I think I look sexy.
[Rick chuckles] Oh, my ribs.
[Christian rock playing over speakers]
[young Colin] Can we turn on the air, please?
[Rick] No, sir. I cannot.
-[young Colin] Can we turn down the music? -[Rick] Nope. Driver's choice.
[chattering]
-We're gonna hit the pool. You wanna come? -Yeah, sure. Let me get checked in first.
-Where'd you get that cookie from? -Yo, these shits are the bomb.
-And they're still warm too. -A'ight.
-I'll see you there. -Catch you outside.
Thank you very much. Enjoy your stay.
-Can I get a dollar? I want a water. -All right, a dollar.
Excuse me. Can I help you?
I'm sorry. Is this man bothering you?
He is, but there's not much we can do about it. He's our son.
Okay.
Wow.
Adopted.
Of course.
My church has a foster kids program.
I think about getting one all the time.
-What country did he come from? -Good ol' Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Bless your hearts.
Doing the Lord's work.
-Let me know if you need anything at all. -Oh.
All right.
-Thank you. -Thanks.
Oh, well, she was sweet.
[man on TV] Hokkaido is the second largest...
Going to the pool with Jake?
...and provides the route to a spectacular...
You wanna head to the field early?
What's wrong with you?
-Nothing. -Yeah? Doesn't seem like nothing.
That lady downstairs.
She just rolls up on me and jabs me in the back.
And for what? For nothing.
[Teresa] You're talking about the manager.
Yeah.
What was that about?
She thought you were a vagrant.
I told you you should have shaved that thing.
-That really what's bothering you? -I don't know.
Sometimes I just feel...
uncomfortable.
I don't think anyone's trying to make you feel that way.
But when you do, just say something.
You can always talk to me, but you have to talk to me.
What is that supposed to mean?
It means you always keep your feelings to yourself, Colin.
Talk to me and know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you.
[shaver buzzing]
-Hold still. It'll all be over soon. -Dad. No. Mom!
-Mom. -Son.
-Sorry. She can't protect you this time. -Knock it off. For Pete's sake.
Jeez, okay. I was just kidding around.
Rise and shine! It's game day!
Whoo!
Hey, buddy, if you're cold back there, maybe this hot jam will heat you up.
[Christian rock playing over speakers]
♪ I will rise in victory ♪
♪ My story ends in victory ♪
♪ In victor... ♪
[radar speed gun beeping]
[chattering]
Yo, tonight is gonna be sick. Annie's twin sisters are coming.
They're identical, but Irene's boobs are definitely bigger, hundred percent.
-Here we go again. -What's up?
No, these hotel people stare at me like I pulled up in a UFO or something.
You're a big Black dude in Whitey Whiteville, man.
-What do you expect? -No, but it happens all the time now.
Maybe 'cause you grew 50 feet this year. That could be the problem.
Oh, okay, so now it's against the law to be tall, like...
Man, I feel like wearing a sign when we travel saying,
"Yes, I'm adopted. Yes, these are my parents.
No, I'm not a panhandler asking white people for money
or trying to get free apples."
[man] I have a quick question, ma'am.
[scoffs]
It's starting to get on my nerves.
Shit. They're lucky I'm not Black. I'd toss this place up.
-Oh, yeah. That right? -Hell yeah.
-Why are you telling me? Tell them. -Shit. They don't want none of this, bro.
You know my temper.
Don't let it get to you, Colin. All right? Let's go chill.
-I'll catch up with you later. -[Jake] All right.
["Tell Me When To Go" playing]
Set, hike.
♪ Tell me when to go Tell me when to go ♪
♪ Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb ♪
♪ Ooh, Jesus Christ had dreads So shake 'em ♪
♪ I ain't got none But I'm planning on growing some... ♪
[boys shouting]
[boy] Yo, yo, speech, speech!
I just wanna thank everyone. Maybe it's time for me to call it quits.
I'm gonna go into retirement, after being MVP for seven years straight.
I got my money, right, y'all?
Hey! Get off the table! Turn off that music!
All of you, get out of here.
[music stops]
-Are you a guest here? -You know I am.
-You saw me in the lobby earlier. -Room number?
-I don't know. -You don't know your room number?
I haven't been to the room yet. My parents--
Show me your key.
Ma'am, I just told you. My parents checked in for me.
-I don't know what room I'm in. -Right. Okay, let's go.
-Yo. -Hey, don't.
Leave him alone. He's with his parents. He's on our baseball team.
[boy] Yeah, man.
Get out of here now, all of you.
-Come on. -Let's go.
-Let's go, dude. -Lucky I don't call the police.
[Colin] Microaggressions.
A term coined by Black psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce,
who played football at Harvard, by the way.
It refers to small behavioral indignities, intentional or not,
that communicate derogatory racial insults
that leave us feeling degraded, dehumanized, and offended.
Welcome to the firm.
It's so nice to finally meet you. I've been hearing great things about you.
-Thank you. It's a great opportunity. -It was a no-brainer.
Your résumé is impeccable.
I mean, you're articulate, bright, nice, and, uh, clean.
[commentator] Let's stop right there. Y'all see what he did there, right, folks?
-That was a classic microaggression. -Bright, nice, and, uh, clean.
-Let's see what kind of reaction it gets. -Appreciate it.
[commentator] Oh, very nice deflection.
When a white person calls a Black person clean,
he's basically admitting that he thinks all Black people are animals.
When he sees a Black person is well-dressed, he thinks it's an anomaly.
It isn't. Let's see what happens in the second half.
No one told me that you had such, um, interesting hair.
It's very unique.
Is that the style now?
[commentator] Oh, boy. All right. Another classic.
What he's really saying is even though it scares him,
he'd really like to touch his head.
Yeah, you know, it is a style, I guess.
[commentator] Ha. A style that dates back 3600 years.
Someone doesn't have any Black friends.
Will you be wearing it to the office this way?
[commentator] Again with the hair? Huh.
Well, he is tenacious. I gotta give him that.
Let's see how he responds.
You know this is how I wear my hair. Sometimes it gets long and I tie it up.
Is that gonna be a problem?
[commentator] Oh, let's look at that again.
Perfect delivery, non-threatening.
But we know he's a lawyer too,
and he will sue his ass 'cause there are CROWN laws in the state.
Just beautiful.
-That gonna be a problem? -No. No problem at all.
Look forward to getting to know you, young man.
I think you're going to fit in just fine.
[commentator] And there's the handshake.
I look forward to getting to know you too, sir.
[commentator] That's gotta feel good.
In a few years, he'll probably make partner.
And after that, who knows?
He should probably delete his tweet about All Lives Matter.
He should also probably delete his tweet about All Lives Matter.
Rise and--
Colin? Get up.
It's game day.
[groaning]
-Hey, bud. How's that arm feeling? -Same as the last time you asked me.
Okay, you're in a mood. Let's get some food in you to cheer you up.
-I'm not hungry. -I didn't have time to cook.
Okay, eat something anyway.
Hey, hey.
Your dad and I were talking,
and since you're going for your driver's license soon,
we thought maybe you should drive to Lancaster.
Get some practice under your belt. What do you think?
[Colin] It hadn't been a great summer so far.
-Okay. -But things were starting to look up.
See you in the car. Whoo!
Hold on.
Ready.
No rush. Just like to get out of the driveway by Christmas.
It's about to get Too Fast Too Furious in this Dodge Caravan.
Okay, cool your jets, Learner's Permit.
Eyes on the road. Keep your hands at 10:00 and 2:00. Let's go.
["Rollout (My Business)" playing over stereo]
♪ Roll out ♪
♪ I got my twin Glock .40s, cocked back ♪
♪ Me and my homies, so drop that... ♪
-Can we change this music? -Come on. Driver's choice.
[radar speed gun beeping]
[engine starting, then siren wailing]
-[Teresa] Pete's sake. -All right, just pull over.
Yep, I know.
-How you doing, officer? -Good morning.
Shh. Let him handle it.
Uh, why'd you stop me, officer?
-I'll ask the questions. Where you headed? -Lancaster.
You folks all right?
We're okay. He's new to driving. He has a permit.
Can I see it?
Whoa! Keep your hands where I can see them.
Whoa. He's trying to show you his permit.
Nice and easy.
[Rick] What was the reason for the stop, officer?
-Who are you? -His father.
He's adopted.
Well, he was going a little fast.
Slow down, kid.
[young Colin breathing shakily]
-You dodged a bullet. -[Rick chuckles]
[Rick] Yeah.
You just beat your first ticket.
Rise and shine! It's the big game today. The biggest!
Come on, Colin! Get up!
Resistance is futile!
Yeah.
You're right.
Resistance is futile.
-What's that? What'd you say? -What you just said.
Resistance is futile. I'm agreeing with you.
No. I said, I'm gonna make a strudel.
So weird.
How's your arm?
I'm ready, Dad.
You look ready. You look like a pro.
See what a clean shave can do? Let's go.
[Christian rock playing over stereo]
♪ I will stand in victory ♪
♪ I will rise in victory ♪
-You doing okay back there? -Huh?
You doing okay back there?
Yeah, I'm doing okay.
[music continues, muffled]
Yo. Why are you dressed like you fix computers?
Whatever.
[hip-hop music playing]
What's up, bro?
They play in the tournament?
Watch your gear.
Who steals more than his son? Kid stole a water bottle with my name on it.
Seriously, don't sweat it, bro.
-You mind having your boys keep it down? -Yeah, we got you.
I hate this, man.
-Where did you get that shirt from? -A spot in Vallejo. Where you from?
Turlock.
I think I heard of that,
with all the Confederate flags and country music and shit.
-That's about right. -Hey, I'm Dwayne, man.
[boy] Didn't know what he was talking about.
-I'm Colin. -[boy] Stupid.
-Shut up, man. -Yo, hey, y'all settle down.
-I'm not trying to get kicked out again. -Again?
They threw us out of here year before last.
They wouldn't let us stay here last year.
What? Why?
Hey, Keith, Jontavious. Homey wanna know what we did to get kicked out last time.
-Why you think? For being Black. -[Dwayne] Right?
Yeah. Saying we were loitering and making guests uncomfortable.
White people were making me uncomfortable. You know what I mean?
-On my moms, we didn't do nothing. -No.
I'm sorry. That's messed up.
It is what it is. Coach says you gotta pick your battles.
So we stay here, get our win and bounce.
Bet they don't bother your team, huh?
Not all of us.
Man.
[Teresa] Come on.
-I should get going. -All right, player. Peace.
Peace.
Homeboy tuck his shirt in so tight. Is that how they get down in Turlock?
Man, I ain't mad at him. He just trying to live.
All right. Let's check in.
[Rick] Okay.
Thank you.
Sorry.
You two good?
-Okay. -Fine. Thanks.
Yeah, I'm good too. Thanks.
-Somebody's feisty today. -Yeah, I don't know what his problem was.
I'm talking about you.
[Colin] And after all that, in the last game of the tournament,
I had to face the same dumb umpire
and some dude who was stalling, trying to psych me out.
[Rick] Look at this guy.
What an ass.
Time-out.
[boys booing]
This guy's a showboat.
Play ball.
[man 1] Look alive, guys, look alive!
Ball!
-He's crowding the plate. -[boy] You got this, Colin.
-Come on, Kaepernick. -Let's go, you got it!
[man 2] What was that? Get some glasses!
Let's go, drive it.
-Ball! -Hey, he's crowding the plate!
[man 3] Nice pitch, nice pitch.
Settle down, Colin, you got it.
Who says resistance is futile?
Watch it, Kaepernick!
One more and you'll have the showers to yourself. Get my meaning?
-Don't test me. -[man 4] It's okay, Colin!
[Colin] I know what you're thinking. I wasn't really gonna hit him.
Let's go, Kap! Down the barrel!
[Colin] I needed him to back off the plate,
so I could strike his ass out.
I guess what I learned that summer was
they're not always gonna give you a fair call.
But you can't let them stop you from playing the game.
-Strike! -Attaboy!
[manager] Can I talk to you?
Heard you won the championship. Congratulations.
Thanks.
Well, have fun.
Be careful. Hope to see you back here next year.
Glad to see you're one of the good ones.
Hey!
-What do you mean by that? -By what?
One of the good ones. What does that mean?
It means you're nice. Not like those other boys in the lobby.
You remind me of that one that-- The nerd with glasses. I meant it as a compliment.
It's not a compliment.
You don't have to get angry. I was trying to be nice.
Maybe you aren't one of the good ones.
Oh, he must not know any Black people in real life.
Over the years,
there have been some very popular TV shows starring Black people.
These shows share archetypal Black characters,
including social outcasts who assimilate or conform.
Like Carlton Banks, or Steve Urkel.
Wow. You guys have got some real A-list people here.
[Colin] White people love these dudes.
From the way they dress, the way they talk...
You're our man.
...even the way they dance. It's all so non-threatening.
[Jack] James Spurlock.
We call him Toofer, for two-for-one. He's a Black guy and a Harvard guy.
[Colin] These characters have come to be known
by the term "Acceptable Negro."
The Acceptable Negro is a Black character who inhabits white characteristics...
who makes white people feel comfortable.
The Acceptable Negro is a white man's creation.
Thing is, white people don't get to decide who's acceptable to us.
We can rock with Steve Urkel and Steve Biko and Marcus Garvey.
Huey Newton.
Ida B. Wells.
Toni Morrison.
Fannie Lou Hamer.
Assata Shakur.
Patrice Lumumba.
Kwame Nkrumah.
James Baldwin.
You know, some of the good ones.
As Langston Hughes once said:
"Negroes
Sweet and docile Meek, humble, and kind
Beware the day They change their mind"
["Ultra Black" playing]
♪ We goin' ultra black I gotta toast to that ♪
♪ We don't fold or crack We goin' ♪
♪ Occasion, we rose to that Fuck goin' postal ♪
♪ We goin' ultra black Watchin' the global change ♪
♪ Hop in the coldest Range ♪
♪ Hit-boy on the beat This shit 'posed to slap ♪
♪ We goin' ultra black We goin', we goin' ♪
♪ Rhythm and blues, pop Rock to soul to jazz ♪
♪ 'Til my toes are tagged ♪
♪ How I look being told I'm not supposed to brag? ♪
♪ Nobody fault, I tell the truth I know it's facts ♪
♪ We ultra black Grace Jones skin tone, but multi that ♪
♪ Multiple colors We come in all shades, mocha black ♪
♪ Accept where I'm at And not fight me on it ♪
♪ Emotional stares Like I might be wanted ♪
♪ Pitch black like the night I'm ultra black ♪
♪ Sanford and Son reruns Jokes are black ♪
♪ Oh, yes, oh, yes, God bless success ♪
♪ We goin' ultra black Like the Essence Fest ♪
♪ Talk with a mask on The freshest breath ♪
♪ African black, so caress the flesh ♪
♪ Superfly, The Mack, Sittin' fly in the 'Lac ♪
♪ Take the boat on the water History talks with my daughter ♪
♪ My son'll be my resurrection ♪
♪ Constantly learnin' lessons, I never die You get the message? ♪
♪ I hope you be better than I Life's precious ♪
♪ Two steppin' Sometimes I'm over-black ♪
♪ Even my clothes are black Cash Money with the white tee-- ♪