Ep 1. Where Do We Even Start With White Supremacy?

In the first episode of Season 5 of United Shades of America, host W. Kamau Bell tackles one of America's most significant issues, white supremacy. With recent events such as the Charlottesville protests and the rise of far-right extremist groups, Bell explores the origins and evolution of white supremacy in America, spoke to its victims, and talked to those actively fighting against it.

Bell begins by visiting the birthplace of America's white supremacy, Virginia, and talks to historian Dr. Jane Dailey. She explains the history of white supremacy in Virginia, starting with the founding of the Jamestown colony in 1607, where white Europeans settled to create a new society. Dailey explains that the concept of white supremacy was instilled in America's social norms and structures, such as slavery, Jim Crow laws, redlining, and the prison-industrial complex, which disproportionately affects black Americans.

To understand the impact of white supremacy on the black community in Virginia, Bell meets with community leader and activist Don Gathers. Gathers explains his family's history as descendants of slaves and how it has influenced his work fighting against systemic racism. Bell also attends a Black Lives Matter march, where he talks to participants about the role of white supremacy in police brutality, housing discrimination, and education inequality.

Next, Bell travels to Portland, Oregon, a city struggling with its own issues of white supremacy and far-right extremism. Bell speaks with anti-fascist activists who are fighting against white supremacist groups such as Patriot Prayer, which has been organizing violent protests in the city. Bell also meets with members of Portland's Black community and discusses their experiences with racism and police brutality. They discuss the recent protests in the city and the role of white privilege in the media's portrayal of the events.

In the final segment of the episode, Bell speaks with a white supremacist leader, Richard Spencer, to gain insight into the white supremacist ideology. Spencer, who helped organize the Charlottesville protests in 2017, attempts to justify his beliefs and explain why he thinks white people are superior. Bell challenges Spencer's views and provides counterpoints to his arguments.

Throughout the episode, Bell grapples with the complexity of white supremacy in America and its devastating impact on communities of color. He also highlights the importance of understanding the origins of this ideology and the role it has played in shaping America's institutions. The episode concludes with a call to action for viewers to learn more about white supremacy and take steps to combat it. United Shades of America offers an unflinching look at America's most pressing issues, and this episode is a powerful examination of the deep-seated problem of white supremacy in America.