1 00:00:10,001 --> 00:00:15,584 Everybody knows the first step in making any football team is the tryout. 2 00:00:16,251 --> 00:00:20,084 And to make it to the pros, the tryout starts with the combine. 3 00:00:20,168 --> 00:00:21,459 ["DNA." playing] 4 00:00:21,543 --> 00:00:23,918 ♪ I got loyalty Got royalty inside my DNA ♪ 5 00:00:24,001 --> 00:00:27,334 ♪ Quarter piece Got war and peace inside my DNA... ♪ 6 00:00:27,418 --> 00:00:33,376 Potential players are paraded out in front of scouts, coaches, and owners, 7 00:00:33,959 --> 00:00:37,293 who measure their physical talent and on-field abilities. 8 00:00:38,084 --> 00:00:43,376 Coaches will tell you they're looking for warriors, killers, beasts. 9 00:00:44,043 --> 00:00:46,501 They say they want you to be an animal. 10 00:00:50,418 --> 00:00:51,751 And you wanna give them that. 11 00:00:51,834 --> 00:00:53,459 ♪ I got, I got, I got, I got ♪ 12 00:00:53,543 --> 00:00:56,334 ♪ Realness, I just kill shit 'Cause it's in my DNA ♪ 13 00:00:56,418 --> 00:00:59,668 ♪ I got millions I got riches buildin' in my DNA ♪ 14 00:00:59,751 --> 00:01:03,126 ♪ I got dark, I got evil That rot inside my DNA ♪ 15 00:01:03,209 --> 00:01:06,626 ♪ I got off, I got troublesome heart Inside my DNA ♪ 16 00:01:06,709 --> 00:01:10,376 ♪ I just win again Then win again like Wimbledon, I serve ♪ 17 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:12,626 [Colin] But let me tell you. 18 00:01:12,709 --> 00:01:18,376 What they don't want you to understand, is what's established is a power dynamic. 19 00:01:25,376 --> 00:01:31,126 Before they put you on the field, teams poke, prod, and examine you. 20 00:01:31,668 --> 00:01:35,584 Searching for any defect that might affect your performance. 21 00:01:35,668 --> 00:01:40,084 No boundary respected. No dignity left intact. 22 00:01:50,084 --> 00:01:52,918 [slave seller] Come on, boy. Hurry up. Look at that shape there. 23 00:01:53,418 --> 00:01:54,251 Look at this. 24 00:01:55,668 --> 00:01:58,959 Mr. Farmer, got your bid. Thirty, James. Thirty to you. 25 00:01:59,043 --> 00:02:00,168 One hundred! Sold! 26 00:02:00,251 --> 00:02:03,001 Next one coming up, best one we got. 27 00:02:04,584 --> 00:02:06,376 -Five hundred. -[slave buyer 1] Five hundred! 28 00:02:06,751 --> 00:02:09,001 -[slaver seller] Six hundred! -[slave seller 2] Right here. 29 00:02:11,043 --> 00:02:12,126 Look at this here! 30 00:02:12,209 --> 00:02:13,793 Come on! Who wants this? 31 00:02:15,418 --> 00:02:16,918 -Seven hundred! -[slave buyer 3] Seven! 32 00:02:17,001 --> 00:02:19,793 -[slave seller] There we go. One thousand! -[slave buyer 4] One thousand! 33 00:02:20,251 --> 00:02:21,543 I'm telling you what I want. 34 00:02:21,626 --> 00:02:23,543 -Yeah, I heard ya. -[slave seller] Sold! 35 00:02:36,251 --> 00:02:40,334 As a kid, you're not thinking that you're being groomed for a system. 36 00:02:41,168 --> 00:02:45,126 You just love playing football. You're just trying to make the team. 37 00:02:45,209 --> 00:02:46,709 [hip-hop music playing] 38 00:02:49,209 --> 00:02:53,293 [Colin] Back then, all I cared about was football, baseball, 39 00:02:53,376 --> 00:02:55,751 and a little bit of hoopin' on the side. 40 00:03:02,709 --> 00:03:04,668 -[boy] Nice. -Damn! 41 00:03:04,751 --> 00:03:06,626 Check the hands on Kaepernick. 42 00:03:06,709 --> 00:03:09,459 I tell you what, this kid gets better and better every year. 43 00:03:20,126 --> 00:03:21,459 [school bell ringing] 44 00:03:23,043 --> 00:03:23,876 [Colin] Okay. 45 00:03:23,959 --> 00:03:26,918 Maybe a little part of me wanted to be cool too. 46 00:03:29,126 --> 00:03:30,793 Hey, did you see Baby Boy? 47 00:03:30,876 --> 00:03:32,334 What? The movie? 48 00:03:32,418 --> 00:03:35,168 Nah, fool. Like the toddler. Yes, the movie. 49 00:03:35,751 --> 00:03:37,084 -No. -Look. 50 00:03:37,168 --> 00:03:40,501 I snatched it off LimeWire. You know it's rated R, right? 51 00:03:41,293 --> 00:03:43,418 Your mom let you see it? She's strict as shit. 52 00:03:43,501 --> 00:03:44,876 She's not that strict. 53 00:03:45,543 --> 00:03:48,084 -All right. Yeah, I'll burn you a copy. -Fact. 54 00:03:48,168 --> 00:03:50,001 Okay, then, Lori. I see you. 55 00:03:51,334 --> 00:03:55,168 Hey, I might holla at Lori. She all right for an eighth-grader. 56 00:03:55,251 --> 00:03:58,168 -We're eighth-graders. -But I'm mature for my age. 57 00:03:58,251 --> 00:03:59,459 -Oh! -Mm. 58 00:04:00,418 --> 00:04:02,626 Well, look. Go ahead. Ask. 59 00:04:03,626 --> 00:04:04,876 Ask what? 60 00:04:04,959 --> 00:04:06,751 -Ask, Colin. -Ask what, Ryan? 61 00:04:06,834 --> 00:04:09,793 You wanna know about the hair, right? Dope, ain't it? 62 00:04:10,543 --> 00:04:12,543 -Yeah. -Bro. Look at the back, bro. 63 00:04:12,626 --> 00:04:13,709 My shit got hang. 64 00:04:15,126 --> 00:04:18,376 Look. This high school girl hooked me up, Dee Dee. 65 00:04:18,959 --> 00:04:21,501 She can probably do something with yours too. 66 00:04:22,293 --> 00:04:25,084 Okay. All right. Catch you after practice. 67 00:04:26,084 --> 00:04:27,293 -See you. -All right. 68 00:04:27,376 --> 00:04:29,251 -["Work It" playing] -[line ringing] 69 00:04:29,959 --> 00:04:32,709 -[woman] Hello! -[young Colin] Hi, is this Dee Dee? 70 00:04:32,793 --> 00:04:34,459 [woman] No, this is her mother. Who is this? 71 00:04:34,543 --> 00:04:36,751 [young Colin] Oh, um, I'm Colin. 72 00:04:36,834 --> 00:04:40,668 I'm calling about getting my hair braided. Ryan said it was cool. 73 00:04:40,751 --> 00:04:42,959 [woman] Oh. Hold on. Dee Dee! 74 00:04:43,751 --> 00:04:45,751 ♪ Is it worth it? Let me work it ♪ 75 00:04:45,834 --> 00:04:48,334 ♪ I put my thing down Flip it and reverse it... ♪ 76 00:04:49,626 --> 00:04:51,251 [Colin] I was born in Wisconsin. 77 00:04:51,668 --> 00:04:55,584 A place known for dairy farming and a scarcity of Black people. 78 00:04:55,668 --> 00:04:57,876 But I grew up in Turlock, California. 79 00:04:57,959 --> 00:05:00,168 A place also known for dairy farming, 80 00:05:00,251 --> 00:05:03,001 and you guessed it, a scarcity of Black people. 81 00:05:03,584 --> 00:05:05,959 One place that you could see Black people in Turlock 82 00:05:06,043 --> 00:05:08,168 was Dee Dee's apartment complex. 83 00:05:08,251 --> 00:05:12,043 Even though it was just a few blocks from my house, I had never been there, 84 00:05:12,626 --> 00:05:14,376 but I could see myself there. 85 00:05:16,501 --> 00:05:17,334 Colin? 86 00:05:18,168 --> 00:05:19,543 Yeah. Dee Dee? 87 00:05:20,209 --> 00:05:21,293 Mm-hm. 88 00:05:29,168 --> 00:05:30,001 Okay. 89 00:05:30,668 --> 00:05:31,501 A challenge. 90 00:05:32,293 --> 00:05:33,126 Come on. 91 00:05:35,668 --> 00:05:36,918 [young Colin grunting] 92 00:05:41,043 --> 00:05:42,001 Are you okay? 93 00:05:42,084 --> 00:05:43,251 [Colin] Am I okay? 94 00:05:43,751 --> 00:05:47,209 I felt like my hair was playing tug-o-war with my scalp. 95 00:05:47,293 --> 00:05:51,084 And the rope they were using was on fire. Am I okay? 96 00:05:52,751 --> 00:05:53,626 Uh-huh. 97 00:05:54,418 --> 00:05:55,251 Okay. 98 00:05:56,543 --> 00:05:59,334 -[boy] Why don't you two get a room? -[Dee Dee] Boy, keep quiet. 99 00:05:59,418 --> 00:06:02,459 You keep clownin' around, Mom will make you wear that nose forever. 100 00:06:04,293 --> 00:06:07,543 Mama, can you get me some hair grease out the bathroom, please? 101 00:06:07,626 --> 00:06:10,751 We don't have any more. And I told you you were gonna run out. 102 00:06:10,834 --> 00:06:12,543 [Dee Dee] But I need some to finish his hair. 103 00:06:12,626 --> 00:06:15,501 [woman] You can run and get some. Or I can pick you up some from the mall. 104 00:06:15,584 --> 00:06:17,543 -[Dee Dee] What mall you going to? -Modesto. 105 00:06:17,626 --> 00:06:19,251 [Dee Dee] That'll take too long. 106 00:06:19,834 --> 00:06:23,043 You know what? There is this cute top I've been wanting to try on. 107 00:06:23,126 --> 00:06:24,418 I'll come with you. 108 00:06:26,459 --> 00:06:27,834 Come with me! Come on. 109 00:06:29,251 --> 00:06:30,084 You too. 110 00:06:32,668 --> 00:06:33,501 Come on. 111 00:06:34,834 --> 00:06:36,043 ["Work It" playing] 112 00:06:42,876 --> 00:06:44,793 We're gonna be about 20 minutes. 113 00:06:45,376 --> 00:06:46,209 Be good. 114 00:06:51,084 --> 00:06:52,459 Don't get out this car. 115 00:07:04,459 --> 00:07:05,751 What's your name, little dude? 116 00:07:09,376 --> 00:07:11,418 You look ridiculous. 117 00:07:11,501 --> 00:07:13,459 -So do you. -What? 118 00:07:13,543 --> 00:07:14,376 Nothing. 119 00:07:15,668 --> 00:07:18,793 [Colin] I was in a hot car with an angry clown, 120 00:07:18,876 --> 00:07:20,376 waiting for more torture. 121 00:07:21,168 --> 00:07:24,418 -I just hoped it would be worth it. -[Dee Dee] Okay. And boom! 122 00:07:26,543 --> 00:07:29,209 Well, what do you think? Say something. 123 00:07:29,834 --> 00:07:31,751 Is it supposed to be this tight? 124 00:07:33,501 --> 00:07:35,543 I had to do it because of your texture. 125 00:07:35,626 --> 00:07:39,709 Biracial hair is so hard to work with. It slips and slides all over the place. 126 00:07:40,334 --> 00:07:42,168 But I made it work, though. 127 00:07:42,751 --> 00:07:45,918 You know who you look like? Allen Iverson. 128 00:07:46,501 --> 00:07:48,751 You look good. I did a good job. [chuckles] 129 00:07:51,876 --> 00:07:54,168 Sorry it took so long. Are you good getting home? 130 00:07:54,251 --> 00:07:55,251 Oh, um... 131 00:07:56,626 --> 00:07:57,876 Can I use your phone? 132 00:07:58,584 --> 00:07:59,418 Bye. 133 00:07:59,501 --> 00:08:02,376 [Colin] The next 24 hours were like a roller coaster. 134 00:08:03,834 --> 00:08:05,293 I thought I looked good. 135 00:08:06,543 --> 00:08:08,168 But my head was on fire. 136 00:08:09,459 --> 00:08:13,418 -My mom was salty for some reason. -[Teresa] We didn't know where you were. 137 00:08:14,834 --> 00:08:15,668 Huh? 138 00:08:15,751 --> 00:08:18,751 I said we didn't know where you were, me and your dad. 139 00:08:18,834 --> 00:08:20,668 I left a note on the fridge. 140 00:08:21,209 --> 00:08:22,043 I saw it. 141 00:08:23,709 --> 00:08:26,251 Didn't say where you were. Colin. 142 00:08:26,959 --> 00:08:30,293 [Colin] And let's just say salt and fire are not a good mix. 143 00:08:32,626 --> 00:08:34,751 Between my mom's non-reaction one minute... 144 00:08:34,834 --> 00:08:38,251 I just met her today. She's a friend of a friend. 145 00:08:38,334 --> 00:08:39,959 [Colin] ...or subtle criticism the next... 146 00:08:40,043 --> 00:08:43,418 Your gym teacher is your basketball coach, right? 147 00:08:43,501 --> 00:08:44,334 Yeah. 148 00:08:45,668 --> 00:08:47,543 Think he'll like your hair like that? 149 00:08:50,126 --> 00:08:53,043 [Colin] ...and the throbbing pain I felt all that night... 150 00:08:57,501 --> 00:08:58,626 I got this. 151 00:08:58,709 --> 00:09:01,001 [Colin] ...I still hoped it'd all be worth it. 152 00:09:04,751 --> 00:09:06,751 They said he looks unprofessional. 153 00:09:08,126 --> 00:09:08,959 Intimidating. 154 00:09:10,084 --> 00:09:14,293 -Messy. He's clearly unfocused. -What are we talking about? 155 00:09:14,876 --> 00:09:16,168 [Colin] He's dangerous. 156 00:09:16,251 --> 00:09:18,001 He's damaging to the league. 157 00:09:18,084 --> 00:09:19,709 He's disrespectful. 158 00:09:19,793 --> 00:09:23,543 In 1997, right after taking the league by storm 159 00:09:23,626 --> 00:09:25,043 and winning Rookie of the Year... 160 00:09:25,126 --> 00:09:27,418 [commentator] The crowd is into it. Allen shakes free. 161 00:09:27,501 --> 00:09:28,918 Gets two! 162 00:09:31,251 --> 00:09:35,001 [Colin] A young NBA superstar heard more criticism than kudos. 163 00:09:35,084 --> 00:09:36,834 -That's the body language of a-- -Thug! 164 00:09:36,918 --> 00:09:40,918 [Colin] He experienced more political policing than passionate praise. 165 00:09:41,543 --> 00:09:42,459 Why? 166 00:09:42,543 --> 00:09:44,376 Why did this exceptional player 167 00:09:44,459 --> 00:09:48,168 with an uncanny combination of grace and grit 168 00:09:48,251 --> 00:09:50,668 cause such ire from the powers that were? 169 00:09:51,376 --> 00:09:54,626 Well, what he did to start this controversy was simple, deliberate, 170 00:09:54,709 --> 00:09:56,334 and true to himself. 171 00:09:56,418 --> 00:09:57,834 He embraced his culture. 172 00:09:58,418 --> 00:09:59,626 He braided his hair. 173 00:10:05,043 --> 00:10:09,501 You know him as AI, the Answer, Allen Iverson. 174 00:10:09,584 --> 00:10:14,459 [announcer] Number 3, Allen Iverson! 175 00:10:19,959 --> 00:10:24,293 [Colin] One of the most dynamic players to ever grace the basketball court. 176 00:10:24,376 --> 00:10:29,251 He endured scorn and derision over this simple act of self-expression. 177 00:10:30,293 --> 00:10:33,418 It's easy to see how crazy that is today. 178 00:10:34,626 --> 00:10:35,709 But at the time... 179 00:10:37,501 --> 00:10:39,543 I had no idea how he felt. 180 00:10:43,501 --> 00:10:46,293 [Colin] Even though I felt like I could fall asleep standing up, 181 00:10:46,376 --> 00:10:49,709 I couldn't wait to get to school to show off my new swag. 182 00:10:49,793 --> 00:10:51,459 -That's a new outfit. -Yep. 183 00:10:52,501 --> 00:10:55,668 -Um, you want me to toast it for you? -No thanks. 184 00:10:56,376 --> 00:10:58,334 -[door closes] -Who eats a raw Pop Tart? 185 00:10:59,793 --> 00:11:01,626 Allen Iverson, maybe. 186 00:11:04,001 --> 00:11:05,668 [Ryan] Yo, you went to see Dee Dee? 187 00:11:05,751 --> 00:11:09,668 And you got the fresh AIs on too. Out here looking like The Answer for real. 188 00:11:09,751 --> 00:11:12,084 I'm surprised your mom let you out without khakis. 189 00:11:12,168 --> 00:11:14,209 Oh. Okay. Yeah, you got jokes now. 190 00:11:15,543 --> 00:11:18,418 -But for real, though. You like it? -Yeah. 191 00:11:18,501 --> 00:11:20,709 -Good looking out, man. -I heard you got that hair-- 192 00:11:20,793 --> 00:11:21,918 Oh. 193 00:11:22,001 --> 00:11:22,834 My bad. 194 00:11:22,918 --> 00:11:25,293 Yo, mine hurt at first too, bro. You gotta get used to it. 195 00:11:27,543 --> 00:11:28,709 It's not that bad. 196 00:11:33,793 --> 00:11:34,626 [boy] You suck. 197 00:11:35,251 --> 00:11:36,459 Did he just airball? 198 00:11:39,668 --> 00:11:42,334 Colin. Colin, the coach wants to talk to you. 199 00:11:46,834 --> 00:11:48,209 Today! 200 00:11:50,584 --> 00:11:51,418 [girl] Two more! 201 00:11:51,501 --> 00:11:54,501 What? Come on. What's going on, bud? 202 00:11:54,584 --> 00:11:56,126 Nothing. I'm good. 203 00:11:56,209 --> 00:11:59,168 I just have a little headache, and I'm tired, but I'm good. 204 00:12:00,584 --> 00:12:02,584 Run a couple of laps. See if that wakes you up. 205 00:12:05,001 --> 00:12:08,751 You want me to run? Even though I'm tired and I have a headache? 206 00:12:08,834 --> 00:12:11,126 I want you to run so you know you can do it, 207 00:12:11,209 --> 00:12:13,834 even when you are tired and have a headache. 208 00:12:14,459 --> 00:12:15,876 ["I Am Not My Hair" playing] 209 00:12:17,209 --> 00:12:19,376 ♪ See, I can kinda recall A lil' ways back ♪ 210 00:12:19,459 --> 00:12:21,834 ♪ Small, tryin' to ball Always been Black ♪ 211 00:12:21,918 --> 00:12:24,168 ♪ And my hair, I tried it all I even went flat ♪ 212 00:12:24,251 --> 00:12:26,793 ♪ Had a lumpy curly top And all that crap ♪ 213 00:12:26,876 --> 00:12:28,626 ♪ Now, just tryin' to be appreciated... ♪ 214 00:12:28,709 --> 00:12:29,918 These are too tight. 215 00:12:30,001 --> 00:12:31,709 ♪ Nappy-headed brothers Never had no ladies ♪ 216 00:12:31,793 --> 00:12:33,959 ♪ And I hit the barber shop real quick ♪ 217 00:12:34,043 --> 00:12:36,626 ♪ Had 'em give me lil' twist And it drove 'em crazy ♪ 218 00:12:37,251 --> 00:12:38,918 ♪ Then I couldn't get no job ♪ 219 00:12:39,001 --> 00:12:41,001 ♪ 'Cause corporate wouldn't hire No dreadlocks... ♪ 220 00:12:41,084 --> 00:12:42,084 This isn't right. 221 00:12:42,168 --> 00:12:44,001 ♪ Then I thought about my dogs From the block ♪ 222 00:12:44,084 --> 00:12:46,459 ♪ Kinda understand Why they chose to steal and rob ♪ 223 00:12:46,543 --> 00:12:48,584 ♪ Was it the hair that got me this far? ♪ 224 00:12:48,668 --> 00:12:51,418 ♪ All these girls These cribs, these cars? ♪ 225 00:12:51,501 --> 00:12:53,501 ♪ I hate to say it but it seem so flawed ♪ 226 00:12:53,584 --> 00:12:56,168 ♪ 'Cause success didn't come Till I cut it all off ♪ 227 00:13:08,418 --> 00:13:11,084 Mm. It's seasoned already, honey. 228 00:13:12,834 --> 00:13:13,876 Mm-hm. 229 00:13:13,959 --> 00:13:15,126 Okay. 230 00:13:16,043 --> 00:13:16,876 Mm. 231 00:13:17,668 --> 00:13:18,501 Tasty. 232 00:13:27,418 --> 00:13:30,876 Colin, you ever hear of a thing called decision fatigue? 233 00:13:32,459 --> 00:13:33,293 What's that? 234 00:13:35,376 --> 00:13:37,751 Well, the brain is like a muscle, right? 235 00:13:38,834 --> 00:13:41,751 The more you use a muscle, the more tired it gets. 236 00:13:44,543 --> 00:13:45,376 Okay. 237 00:13:46,293 --> 00:13:51,834 Well, I think you're wasting your brain energy on hairstyles. 238 00:13:53,834 --> 00:13:56,293 -My brain energy? -Yeah. 239 00:13:56,376 --> 00:13:57,668 Mm. 240 00:13:57,751 --> 00:14:01,209 You don't wanna get decision fatigue because you're thinking about your hair, 241 00:14:01,293 --> 00:14:03,334 or what to wear, or anything like that. 242 00:14:03,418 --> 00:14:06,709 You need your brain to focus on more important things. 243 00:14:07,376 --> 00:14:09,209 I don't have decision fatigue. 244 00:14:09,293 --> 00:14:10,501 Mm... 245 00:14:12,501 --> 00:14:16,501 From now on, we want you to get your hair done by professionals. 246 00:14:16,584 --> 00:14:20,126 No more of this going rogue business. You don't just go to someone's house. 247 00:14:20,209 --> 00:14:22,043 They probably don't even have a license. 248 00:14:22,126 --> 00:14:25,543 Let me add, I think we should just get your hair cut low. 249 00:14:25,626 --> 00:14:27,459 You won't have to think about it. 250 00:14:27,543 --> 00:14:31,834 I mean, one of the reasons Michael Jordan accomplished so much is because he's bald. 251 00:14:31,918 --> 00:14:33,001 Mm. 252 00:14:33,084 --> 00:14:35,668 I bet you could get to SuperCuts tonight if you hurry. 253 00:14:35,751 --> 00:14:37,834 That's a terrific idea. 254 00:14:37,918 --> 00:14:38,834 SuperCuts. 255 00:14:38,918 --> 00:14:40,959 [Teresa] He has a million things to worry about. 256 00:14:41,043 --> 00:14:43,709 -Hair doesn't have to be one of them. -So, it's settled. 257 00:14:44,418 --> 00:14:45,543 I'll take him after dinner. 258 00:14:50,168 --> 00:14:51,543 [hip-hop music playing] 259 00:15:09,751 --> 00:15:13,084 You already know what it is. They want war, so they invade Afghanistan. 260 00:15:13,168 --> 00:15:15,668 They wanna spy on us, so they give us the Patriot Act. 261 00:15:15,751 --> 00:15:17,668 They wanna control who gets to be American, 262 00:15:17,751 --> 00:15:19,418 so they create Homeland Security. 263 00:15:19,501 --> 00:15:21,084 -I know that's right. -Hey, Shawn. 264 00:15:21,626 --> 00:15:22,501 Hey. 265 00:15:23,834 --> 00:15:24,709 Patrice. 266 00:15:24,793 --> 00:15:25,626 Hey. 267 00:15:32,834 --> 00:15:35,251 -What's going on with you? -Not too much. 268 00:15:35,334 --> 00:15:36,251 Um... 269 00:15:37,209 --> 00:15:38,043 A question. 270 00:15:40,001 --> 00:15:45,376 You know that hairstyle that, uh, Black people like? It looks like ropes? 271 00:15:45,459 --> 00:15:48,376 And they hang off the back of your head. 272 00:15:48,918 --> 00:15:49,751 You know? 273 00:15:50,251 --> 00:15:52,001 You know? What's that singer? Um... 274 00:15:52,709 --> 00:15:53,543 You know, uh... 275 00:15:55,293 --> 00:15:58,793 ♪ Every little time Gonna be all right ♪ 276 00:16:00,459 --> 00:16:03,543 Um, you like basketball, right? 277 00:16:04,584 --> 00:16:05,834 Uh... 278 00:16:05,918 --> 00:16:07,084 Do you know, um... 279 00:16:08,959 --> 00:16:11,584 where I can get my son's hair done like this? 280 00:16:14,084 --> 00:16:15,209 Cornrows. 281 00:16:17,376 --> 00:16:20,084 -That's what they're called. -That's what they're called. 282 00:16:22,584 --> 00:16:26,834 Can you help me out? I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing. 283 00:16:28,043 --> 00:16:28,876 Yeah. 284 00:16:30,959 --> 00:16:32,459 I can help you with that. 285 00:16:43,293 --> 00:16:46,793 Oh, but I thought you said we were going to a barber shop? 286 00:16:46,876 --> 00:16:47,709 Yeah. Come on. 287 00:16:50,126 --> 00:16:51,668 ["They Want Efx" playing] 288 00:16:54,918 --> 00:16:56,251 [chattering] 289 00:17:00,376 --> 00:17:01,751 Whoa. 290 00:17:01,834 --> 00:17:05,459 ♪ Bum stiggedy, bum stiggedy bum, hon I got the old pa-rum-pum-pum-pum ♪ 291 00:17:05,543 --> 00:17:07,834 ♪ But I can fe-fi-fo Diddly-fum, here I come ♪ 292 00:17:07,918 --> 00:17:10,376 ♪ So Peter Piper I'm hyper than Pinocchio's nose ♪ 293 00:17:10,459 --> 00:17:12,209 ♪ I'm a supercalafragilistic Tic-Tac pro ♪ 294 00:17:12,293 --> 00:17:15,293 ♪ I gave my oopsy, daisy Now you've got the crazy ♪ 295 00:17:15,376 --> 00:17:16,543 ♪ Crazy with the books... ♪ 296 00:17:16,626 --> 00:17:21,709 [Colin] All right. I know I look amazed, but you have to understand something. 297 00:17:21,793 --> 00:17:24,668 I'd never been anywhere like this before. 298 00:17:24,751 --> 00:17:26,626 It felt like... me. 299 00:17:29,168 --> 00:17:32,459 Let me share a story with you that's not told enough. 300 00:17:32,543 --> 00:17:37,209 During a hot summer in the Bronx, back in 1973, 301 00:17:37,293 --> 00:17:42,668 a young teenage immigrant from Jamaica was discovering his love of music. 302 00:17:42,751 --> 00:17:45,668 ["Give It Up or Turn It a Loose" playing over headphones] 303 00:17:51,126 --> 00:17:53,334 -Don't you have homework to do? -Huh? 304 00:17:53,418 --> 00:17:56,543 -Homework, Clive. -Hold on, Pop. The break about to drop. 305 00:17:58,793 --> 00:18:00,126 [music stops] 306 00:18:02,959 --> 00:18:05,709 It's cool. The breakbeat's too short anyway. 307 00:18:05,793 --> 00:18:08,876 Every party I throw, people go crazy over the breaks. 308 00:18:08,959 --> 00:18:10,751 How was school, Clive? 309 00:18:11,418 --> 00:18:14,918 School is school, Pops. It's boring since they canceled the music program. 310 00:18:15,001 --> 00:18:16,334 You get enough music at home. 311 00:18:16,418 --> 00:18:19,668 Right now, there's nothing more important than your education. 312 00:18:19,751 --> 00:18:22,043 -Got it? -Yes, sir. 313 00:18:24,668 --> 00:18:25,751 Here. 314 00:18:27,959 --> 00:18:32,543 You play it so much, I figure you need a backup. 315 00:18:35,793 --> 00:18:37,043 Do your homework. 316 00:18:37,918 --> 00:18:39,126 I'll see you later. 317 00:18:40,459 --> 00:18:41,376 Right. 318 00:18:53,459 --> 00:18:56,459 ["Give It Up or Turn It a Loose" playing over speaker] 319 00:18:57,459 --> 00:18:58,584 ♪ Clap your hands ♪ 320 00:18:59,543 --> 00:19:01,293 ♪ Stomp the beat, Clyde... ♪ 321 00:19:25,043 --> 00:19:27,709 [Colin] This young man's name was Clive Campbell, 322 00:19:27,793 --> 00:19:33,334 but he would soon become the legendary DJ Kool Herc. 323 00:19:33,418 --> 00:19:36,043 As obvious as it may seem today, 324 00:19:36,126 --> 00:19:41,126 it was the first time anyone had mixed the breakbeat of the same song. 325 00:19:41,209 --> 00:19:46,668 Herc called it The Merry-Go-Round, and everybody loved it. 326 00:19:46,751 --> 00:19:51,334 In fact, they loved it so much, it became a movement. 327 00:19:51,418 --> 00:19:53,876 ["I Know You Got Soul" playing] 328 00:19:53,959 --> 00:19:55,709 ♪ You got it I know you got soul ♪ 329 00:19:59,501 --> 00:20:00,501 ♪ Hey ♪ 330 00:20:02,959 --> 00:20:06,001 [Colin] From the music, came the dancing. 331 00:20:07,209 --> 00:20:09,209 And the clothes. 332 00:20:10,501 --> 00:20:14,084 And the hair. And the art. 333 00:20:14,668 --> 00:20:16,876 But not everybody embraced the vibe. 334 00:20:17,626 --> 00:20:21,501 In 2005, the NBA implemented a dress code. 335 00:20:22,251 --> 00:20:25,376 Because one man was helping bring it to the masses. 336 00:20:26,293 --> 00:20:29,168 I don't have to tell you who that one man was, do I? 337 00:20:29,251 --> 00:20:31,918 [Iverson] I don't wanna be Michael Jordan. I don't wanna be Magic. 338 00:20:32,001 --> 00:20:35,376 I don't wanna be Bird or Isaiah. I don't wanna be any of those guys. 339 00:20:35,459 --> 00:20:36,543 When my career is over, 340 00:20:36,626 --> 00:20:39,209 I'm gonna look in the mirror and say, "I did it my way." 341 00:20:41,334 --> 00:20:44,626 Hip-hop was conceived and raised by rebels. 342 00:20:44,709 --> 00:20:46,918 Who wouldn't wanna be a part of that? 343 00:20:52,293 --> 00:20:54,751 Well, now, this can't be the right place. 344 00:20:56,126 --> 00:20:59,001 Hi. Hi. Hi. 345 00:20:59,084 --> 00:21:01,626 Um, is there a barber shop nearby? 346 00:21:01,709 --> 00:21:03,959 'Cause this is the address that I was given. 347 00:21:04,043 --> 00:21:05,626 Shop's in the back. 348 00:21:09,334 --> 00:21:10,626 [hip-hop music playing] 349 00:21:12,418 --> 00:21:15,918 I didn't even tell you. I tried to get a fade at one of them franchise spots? 350 00:21:16,001 --> 00:21:17,501 -What? -You mean a white shop? 351 00:21:18,459 --> 00:21:22,084 -Come on, man. You tried to cheat on me? -I was in a hurry, and I needed a cut. 352 00:21:22,168 --> 00:21:24,959 [Erica] Wow. You know I'm the only person for the job. Come on, now. 353 00:21:25,043 --> 00:21:26,459 [Reggie] Ooh, I know. 354 00:21:27,334 --> 00:21:29,251 Yeah. This looks good. 355 00:21:29,334 --> 00:21:30,834 [barber] Hey, man. Who next? 356 00:21:30,918 --> 00:21:32,001 Here you go. 357 00:21:34,751 --> 00:21:37,084 -All right. See y'all next week. -All right. Peace, Reggie. 358 00:21:37,168 --> 00:21:38,626 [speaking indistinctly] 359 00:21:40,918 --> 00:21:43,126 -[Erica] You must be Colin. -Yeah. 360 00:21:43,209 --> 00:21:45,584 -Hi. -And your mom? 361 00:21:45,668 --> 00:21:47,543 -Yeah. -[Erica] You called me, right? 362 00:21:47,626 --> 00:21:49,293 You want me to bless shorty like the boy AI? 363 00:21:49,376 --> 00:21:54,293 Oh. No, he-- He wants braids, like Allen Iverson. 364 00:21:54,376 --> 00:21:55,876 That's what I said. 365 00:21:58,584 --> 00:22:00,084 Come on, Colin. Let's get it. 366 00:22:00,834 --> 00:22:02,626 Really? Braids? 367 00:22:03,459 --> 00:22:04,334 Go on. 368 00:22:08,084 --> 00:22:10,168 [Erica] You can relax, Mom. It's gonna be a minute. 369 00:22:11,418 --> 00:22:12,251 Okay. 370 00:22:16,959 --> 00:22:18,334 [Erica] All right, you ready? 371 00:22:21,376 --> 00:22:22,334 Well? 372 00:22:24,209 --> 00:22:25,334 I like it. 373 00:22:25,418 --> 00:22:27,209 Oh, that's it? You like it? 374 00:22:27,293 --> 00:22:29,376 -You don't love it? -I love it. 375 00:22:29,459 --> 00:22:31,626 Yeah. That's better. 376 00:22:31,709 --> 00:22:33,543 You know how to take care of it? 377 00:22:33,626 --> 00:22:34,584 No. 378 00:22:35,168 --> 00:22:37,584 All right. Come on. Let's go get you some products. 379 00:22:40,876 --> 00:22:42,209 You all right, Mom? 380 00:22:43,668 --> 00:22:45,543 I'm fine. He looks great. 381 00:22:45,626 --> 00:22:46,751 Thanks. 382 00:22:46,834 --> 00:22:48,876 Your first time around this many Black people? 383 00:22:49,543 --> 00:22:51,709 No. No, I'm fine-- It's-- I'm... 384 00:22:53,918 --> 00:22:55,209 -Fine. -Mm-hm. 385 00:22:55,709 --> 00:22:58,293 Look. My number's on here. 386 00:22:58,376 --> 00:23:01,334 If he can't catch me here at the shop, try me at the crib. 387 00:23:01,418 --> 00:23:03,626 -It's a little more private. -[Teresa] Thank you. 388 00:23:03,709 --> 00:23:05,001 What can I get you? 389 00:23:06,168 --> 00:23:07,334 Yeah. 390 00:23:07,418 --> 00:23:11,418 They gonna need some shea butter, a couple of those essential oils, 391 00:23:11,501 --> 00:23:14,168 about three or four satin durags, 392 00:23:14,251 --> 00:23:17,626 I'm thinkin' some spray bottles, moisturizer. 393 00:23:19,043 --> 00:23:20,376 That shampoo. 394 00:23:20,459 --> 00:23:23,293 Let's see. Yeah, make sure you get him some tea tree oil too, 395 00:23:23,376 --> 00:23:26,668 for the scalp, rub that on the braids. 396 00:23:26,751 --> 00:23:28,209 Okey-doke. 397 00:23:31,293 --> 00:23:33,043 You'll get the hang of it. Don't trip. 398 00:23:33,126 --> 00:23:35,293 -[register dinging] -["Cot Damn" playing] 399 00:23:37,334 --> 00:23:39,001 ♪ It's a new day ♪ 400 00:23:39,084 --> 00:23:40,293 [school bell ringing] 401 00:23:41,084 --> 00:23:43,168 [Colin] Look, I'm not even gonna front. 402 00:23:43,251 --> 00:23:44,501 When I got my hair braided, 403 00:23:44,584 --> 00:23:47,793 my swag went from zero to 100 real quick. 404 00:23:49,209 --> 00:23:51,459 Your boy was feeling pristine. 405 00:23:52,293 --> 00:23:54,251 [school bell ringing] 406 00:23:54,334 --> 00:23:55,626 You know how you were a kid, 407 00:23:55,709 --> 00:24:00,334 and you'd get a new pair of shoes and you just know you can run faster? 408 00:24:00,418 --> 00:24:04,209 Well, cornrows made me feel like I was faster on the football field... 409 00:24:05,001 --> 00:24:08,501 -[school bell ringing] -...jumping higher on the basketball court 410 00:24:08,584 --> 00:24:11,959 and feeling confident about my skills. Doing the most. 411 00:24:12,043 --> 00:24:15,959 Everything but paying attention to the deterioration of my braids. 412 00:24:16,043 --> 00:24:18,709 -In this moment, I felt invincible. -[school bell ringing] 413 00:24:18,793 --> 00:24:20,793 I was the man. The world was my-- 414 00:24:20,876 --> 00:24:24,168 Boy, you need some moisturizer or somethin', because your hair is a mess. 415 00:24:25,751 --> 00:24:30,793 [Colin] I mean, yeah, over time, I noticed some frizz, but... damn! 416 00:24:30,876 --> 00:24:32,376 That was brutal. 417 00:24:32,459 --> 00:24:35,876 -I tried to use the recommended products. -["Park Bench People" playing] 418 00:24:35,959 --> 00:24:39,001 But nothing brought back that fresh feeling. 419 00:24:39,084 --> 00:24:41,293 I guess it was time to get braided again. 420 00:24:42,876 --> 00:24:45,959 Hi. Yeah. It's-- It's Colin. 421 00:24:46,043 --> 00:24:48,293 I was wondering if you-- If you could get me in. 422 00:24:49,168 --> 00:24:52,459 ♪ I see an old man Sittin' on a park bench ♪ 423 00:24:52,543 --> 00:24:56,043 ♪ Lookin' in the skies when He can see the mouth-stench ♪ 424 00:24:57,293 --> 00:25:00,709 ♪ Of the range of the people Walkin' and talkin' nonsense ♪ 425 00:25:03,001 --> 00:25:07,251 ♪ In the park I see a man sittin' there ♪ 426 00:25:07,334 --> 00:25:10,584 ♪ With a newspaper Under his head and hair, I think... ♪ 427 00:25:11,626 --> 00:25:14,251 -It's 3657, right? -Yeah. This is-- For sure. 428 00:25:18,084 --> 00:25:19,626 [doorbell rings] 429 00:25:22,793 --> 00:25:24,709 How long do you think this is gonna last? 430 00:25:25,834 --> 00:25:27,543 What, the braids? 431 00:25:28,126 --> 00:25:29,501 All of it. 432 00:25:32,418 --> 00:25:34,251 Hey. Y'all made it. 433 00:25:34,334 --> 00:25:35,918 -Hi. -Hey. 434 00:25:36,501 --> 00:25:37,709 Hi. Come on in. 435 00:25:52,459 --> 00:25:54,376 We just got done eatin'. Y'all hungry? 436 00:25:54,459 --> 00:25:55,584 -Yeah. -No, thanks. 437 00:25:55,668 --> 00:25:57,126 Um, I'll have some. 438 00:25:58,959 --> 00:26:00,376 -Please. -Okay. 439 00:26:03,209 --> 00:26:06,043 [Teresa] He's at the age where he eats all day. 440 00:26:08,793 --> 00:26:10,543 -Can I have this? -[Erica] Yeah. 441 00:26:14,168 --> 00:26:16,376 -[young Colin] Thank you. -[Erica] All right. 442 00:26:16,459 --> 00:26:19,459 You can sit on the floor. Eat while I do your hair. 443 00:26:19,543 --> 00:26:20,793 Mm-hm. 444 00:26:36,168 --> 00:26:39,334 You're gonna want salt and pepper though. He puts it on everything. 445 00:26:39,418 --> 00:26:42,043 No, no. This doesn't need it. This is good. 446 00:26:46,501 --> 00:26:50,668 ["Area Codes" playing on TV] -♪ 3-1-2, 3-1-3, 2-1-5, 8-0-3 ♪ 447 00:26:50,751 --> 00:26:53,293 ♪ Read your horoscope And eat some hors d'oeuvres ♪ 448 00:26:53,376 --> 00:26:55,834 ♪ Ten on pump one These hoes is self serve ♪ 449 00:26:55,918 --> 00:26:59,418 ♪ 7-5-7, 4-1-0 My cell phone just overloads ♪ 450 00:26:59,501 --> 00:27:01,918 ♪ I've got hoes ♪ 451 00:27:02,001 --> 00:27:04,001 ♪ I've got hoes ♪ 452 00:27:04,084 --> 00:27:05,376 ♪ In different area codes... ♪ 453 00:27:05,459 --> 00:27:08,293 I'm gonna run a few errands, so I'll be back in a couple hours. 454 00:27:12,001 --> 00:27:12,959 All right. 455 00:27:18,793 --> 00:27:20,334 ♪ I've got hoes ♪ 456 00:27:20,418 --> 00:27:23,876 ♪ 9-1-6, 4-1-5, 7-0-4 ♪ 457 00:27:28,418 --> 00:27:33,084 [Colin] I was back, feeling fresh, focused, and strong. 458 00:27:40,751 --> 00:27:42,709 -[boy 1] Nice job. -[boy 2] There you go. 459 00:27:42,793 --> 00:27:44,834 What's up with Kaepernick? 460 00:27:44,918 --> 00:27:46,543 That's a nice arm on him, huh? 461 00:27:46,626 --> 00:27:48,876 I'm talking about the hair. Jesus. 462 00:27:48,959 --> 00:27:50,251 Glove down, would ya? 463 00:27:51,543 --> 00:27:52,668 What about it? 464 00:27:53,751 --> 00:27:56,501 What--? Are you looking at what I'm looking at? 465 00:27:56,584 --> 00:28:00,501 Something climbing out the back of his hat. That is not acceptable. 466 00:28:00,584 --> 00:28:05,251 [Colin] But what I didn't realize is what one person embraces, 467 00:28:05,334 --> 00:28:07,376 another person despises. 468 00:28:08,834 --> 00:28:09,751 Whew! 469 00:28:18,709 --> 00:28:21,251 Mom said your baseball coach called today. 470 00:28:23,126 --> 00:28:24,043 About what? 471 00:28:26,459 --> 00:28:28,043 They want you to cut your hair. 472 00:28:29,459 --> 00:28:30,501 [snickers] 473 00:28:30,584 --> 00:28:31,418 What? 474 00:28:34,168 --> 00:28:36,834 You have to cut your hair if you're gonna stay on the team. 475 00:28:39,168 --> 00:28:41,959 Oh. You're-- You're joking, right? 476 00:28:42,043 --> 00:28:45,251 This is about your "brain energy" thing or whatever? 477 00:28:45,334 --> 00:28:46,918 It's a team rule, Colin. 478 00:28:47,709 --> 00:28:50,334 -What team rule? -Well, it makes sense. 479 00:28:51,209 --> 00:28:53,959 Truth be told, you do look unprofessional. 480 00:28:54,043 --> 00:28:55,876 Unprofessional? 481 00:28:55,959 --> 00:28:58,376 Why am I supposed to look professional? 482 00:28:59,668 --> 00:29:01,084 I'm 14. I'm a kid. 483 00:29:01,168 --> 00:29:04,043 Okay. Rules are rules. 484 00:29:04,876 --> 00:29:05,918 What rule? 485 00:29:07,418 --> 00:29:08,959 I play on that team every year, 486 00:29:09,043 --> 00:29:11,084 -and I've never heard of this. -[Teresa] Well... 487 00:29:12,209 --> 00:29:15,834 if you wanna play this year, you'll do what your coaches say. 488 00:29:22,209 --> 00:29:23,668 You guys won't talk to them? 489 00:29:24,918 --> 00:29:27,209 You think they should change the rules for you? 490 00:29:27,293 --> 00:29:30,418 No, but it's a stupid rule, whatever it is. 491 00:29:31,043 --> 00:29:33,668 -You're cutting your hair, Colin. -I don't want to. 492 00:29:33,751 --> 00:29:35,126 -Too bad. -Why? 493 00:29:35,209 --> 00:29:37,084 We told you. It's a team rule. 494 00:29:37,168 --> 00:29:40,209 -But why? -Because you look like a thug. 495 00:29:44,584 --> 00:29:45,543 What? 496 00:29:56,001 --> 00:29:57,668 [Colin] What is a thug? 497 00:30:00,001 --> 00:30:01,709 The earliest use of the word "thug" 498 00:30:01,793 --> 00:30:04,043 described a religious group called Thuggee, 499 00:30:04,126 --> 00:30:06,084 who worshiped the god Kali. 500 00:30:06,168 --> 00:30:09,293 If you've seen Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 501 00:30:09,376 --> 00:30:12,209 you've seen the Western world's depiction of the Thuggee. 502 00:30:12,293 --> 00:30:13,501 [screaming] 503 00:30:16,251 --> 00:30:19,459 But I'm sure that's not what's meant when someone's called a thug today. 504 00:30:21,959 --> 00:30:24,959 So let's take a look at a more contemporary definition. 505 00:30:25,626 --> 00:30:27,251 A quick Google search will tell you 506 00:30:27,334 --> 00:30:29,459 that a thug is described as a violent person, 507 00:30:29,543 --> 00:30:30,918 especially a criminal. 508 00:30:31,001 --> 00:30:34,126 A ruffian, hoodlum, bully. 509 00:30:34,209 --> 00:30:38,876 Examples of this would be a Nazi or a skinhead. Even some politicians. 510 00:30:38,959 --> 00:30:41,709 Very fine people on both sides. 511 00:30:41,793 --> 00:30:46,043 When you see these thugs-- I said, "Please don't be too nice." 512 00:30:46,126 --> 00:30:48,584 No one's looking online for the definition of a thug. 513 00:30:48,668 --> 00:30:52,334 The medium that informs us more than any other is television. 514 00:30:53,001 --> 00:30:56,001 So let's take a look at how TV defines the word. 515 00:30:56,084 --> 00:30:58,251 I wanna get your response to some violence 516 00:30:58,334 --> 00:31:02,376 outside events of yours that's committed by people opposed to you. 517 00:31:02,459 --> 00:31:05,043 -By thugs. By thugs. -What is your message--? 518 00:31:05,126 --> 00:31:06,834 -No justice! -[all] No peace! 519 00:31:06,918 --> 00:31:08,501 -No racist! -[all] Police! 520 00:31:08,584 --> 00:31:12,376 [Trump] And that wasn't-- Remember this. That wasn't friendly protesters. 521 00:31:13,209 --> 00:31:16,251 They were thugs. They were thugs. 522 00:31:17,293 --> 00:31:19,043 So I guess that's what it is. 523 00:31:19,126 --> 00:31:22,959 Some people get called thugs just for standing up for their human rights. 524 00:31:23,043 --> 00:31:26,251 While others get called more polite terms. 525 00:31:26,334 --> 00:31:28,459 [reporter 1] I've seen officers with their guns drawn 526 00:31:28,543 --> 00:31:32,584 in a confrontation with these people who have entered the capital. 527 00:31:32,668 --> 00:31:35,959 [reporter 2] This is a huge victory for these protesters. 528 00:31:36,043 --> 00:31:37,376 I know your pain. 529 00:31:37,459 --> 00:31:41,668 [all] Heave-ho! Heave-ho! 530 00:31:41,751 --> 00:31:45,668 -I know you're hurt. -[all] Hang Mike Pence! Hang Mike Pence! 531 00:31:45,751 --> 00:31:49,376 [Trump] We love you. You're very special. 532 00:31:49,459 --> 00:31:51,001 But they think I'm a thug? 533 00:31:51,084 --> 00:31:53,376 Not because I'm a violent criminal. 534 00:31:54,668 --> 00:31:56,459 Because they said so. 535 00:31:56,543 --> 00:31:59,168 [Rick] You have to play by the rules, Colin. 536 00:32:00,334 --> 00:32:04,126 Your mother and I would not tell you to do something if it wasn't okay. 537 00:32:04,209 --> 00:32:05,043 Right? 538 00:32:07,209 --> 00:32:08,793 If it wasn't for your own good. 539 00:32:19,126 --> 00:32:20,126 Okay. 540 00:32:28,459 --> 00:32:31,501 [Colin] After that, I didn't get braids again 541 00:32:31,584 --> 00:32:33,959 for another 14 years. 542 00:32:36,126 --> 00:32:37,834 I never felt good about it. 543 00:32:40,334 --> 00:32:41,834 I knew it wasn't right. 544 00:32:43,834 --> 00:32:48,043 But I didn't have the knowledge, wisdom, or language to fight back. 545 00:32:50,501 --> 00:32:53,209 I couldn't rebel because I didn't know how. 546 00:32:56,793 --> 00:32:57,793 But now? 547 00:33:01,543 --> 00:33:02,876 Now I know how. 548 00:33:03,793 --> 00:33:04,918 And I will. 549 00:33:05,001 --> 00:33:06,418 [upbeat music playing]