The Black List: Vol. 3
Third docu in series is candid, colorful, and powerful.
Parents say
Based on 1 review
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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 The Black List: Vol. 3 is the third installment in this inspirational documentary project -- which profiles and celebrates iconic African Americans -- offers positive and constructive messages about the black experience in the United States. It also touches on some strong issues -- like racial discrimination, homosexuality, and AIDS. There's some occasional unbleeped profanity (including "piss," "s--t," and "f--k"), and some verbal and visual references to smoking. The epithet "coon" is heard, but it's used within the context of understanding and reclaiming its meaning for the African-American community.
Community Reviews
Language better than the first two.
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What's the Story?
THE BLACK LIST: VOL. 3 is the next installment in "The Black List Project," a series of documentaries that collects and preserves the oral histories of prominent African-American achievers. Interviews with model/entrepreneur Beverly Johnson, singer John Legend, Precious director Lee Daniels, United Negro College Fund president Michael Lomax, BET CEO Debra L. Lee, and actors Hill Harper, LaTanya Richardson, and Whoopi Goldberg offer powerful personal insights into what it means to be black in America today. The film also explores the various ways that these prominent members of the African-American community have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals and calls attention to some of the mentors that helped them get there.
Is It Any Good?
The candid, colorful, and deeply personal stories shared here highlight the various ways that race has shaped the African-American community -- and how it has contributed to some of its members' personal and professional successes. It also offers a chance to listen to some of the various ways that African Americans interpret the personal journeys that got them to where they are today.
The Black List: Vol. 3 is shorter than its predecessors, but it still captures the power and significance of every story. Like the other two volumes, the documentary pays homage to the overall African-American experience by documenting and preserving its unique cultural identity for future generations for all racial and ethnic backgrounds to learn from and enjoy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about "The Black List" that inspired the movie. What is it about the people on this list and their histories that make them inspirational? Who else do you think should be added to this list? Why?
How do these portraits counteract stereotypes about African Americans?
What exactly are oral histories? What can we learn from other people's life experiences? If you were asked to share your life story, what kinds of things would you talk about? What are some ways the media is being used to record and document people's oral histories from around the world?
How does The Black List: Vol. 3 promote integrity and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 8, 2010
- Cast: Beverly Johnson, John Legend, Whoopi Goldberg
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Educational
- Character Strengths: Integrity, Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: October 22, 2020
Our Editors Recommend
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The Black List: Vol. 1
Profound docu explores African-American racial identity.
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The Black List: Vol. 2
Insightful docu is as informative, inspiring as the first.
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This American Life
Compelling true stories from all walks of life.
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American Experience
History comes alive in excellent docuseries.
For kids who love learning about cultures
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