American Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston

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American Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that American Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston is a docuseries that explores the diversity of the American wild and the people that live there. The host and featured subjects express a great gratitude for nature and there are many stories of people overcoming obstacles and pushing themselves to do incredible things. The host is a Black man who celebrates diversity and challenges the notion that exploring nature isn't something that Black people do. The exploitation of indigenous people is also addressed. People are shown persevering in various dangerous situations, including exploring old mines and driving deep into Death Valley. The killing of Ahmaud Arbery is discussed. There are references to America's history of slavery and racial oppression as well as stories of the federal government expelling indigenous people from their land and destroying their homes. A man jokes that he's not able to have lovers while living in the wild.
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What's the Story?
Follow bestselling author, podcaster, and Emmy nominee Baratunde Thurston as he explores the country's diverse landscapes to see how they shape the way we work, play, and interact with the outdoors. From coal miners turned beekeepers in Appalachia to Black surfers catching waves in L.A., AMERICAN OUTDOORS WITH BARATUNDA THURSTON uncovers a deeper understanding of our passionate and complex relationship with the natural world.
Is It Any Good?
In recent years a national conversation has started around the complicated relationship Black Americans have with nature. But American Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston, hosted by author and cultural activist Baratunde Thurston (of Popular Science's Future Of) addresses this, and other racial issues, with a kid-friendly approach few others have mastered. With his upbeat attitude and gentle manner, viewers can't help but want to follow Thurston on his adventures. From Death Valley to rural Idaho, he explores the diversity of the wild as well as the people that make it their homes. His open-minded curiosity leads to illuminating conversations around his subject's traditions and preservation efforts, as well as their people's often painful histories of oppression, exploitation, and relocation. In one particularly moving discussion, Thurston addresses the sense of danger that Black people may experience while spending time outdoors by speaking to a Black ultra-marathon runner about how the death of Ahmaud Arbery (a Black man who was gunned down by three White men while jogging) affected his relationship with his sport. While the slower pace, and sometimes heavy subject matter, may leave younger kids restless, the series is ultimately aspirational. It's a love letter to the American landscape, as well as the American ideals of perseverance and activism, that parents will want to share with their children.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why it feels good to take a break from screens and get outside. How does being outside affect our mental health?
One of the reasons that Black people might not spend as much time in nature as White people is safety. Why might Black people not feel as safe outdoors? How would not feeling safe affect your relationship with nature?
Many of the people featured in this show have displayed perseverance. What is perseverance and why is it an important trait?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 6, 2022
- Cast: Baratunde Thurston
- Network: PBS
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Activism, Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Courage, Gratitude, Perseverance
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: August 1, 2022
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