AllMovie

Actress CCH Pounder narrates this three-part documentary miniseries, which explores the myths, meanings, and importance of racial distinctions in the United States. Most viewers "know" the differences and similarities of the red, black, white, and yellow race bases; Race: The Power of an Illusion goes beyond so-called conventional knowledge and offers the unvarnished truth. Episode one, "The Difference Between Us," utilizes modern science to challenge ancient and venerable assumptions about race. Episode two, "The Story We Tell," is about the "race concept" in North America -- that is, the traditional stereotypes that were fostered during the country's formation and propounded by the media and popular entertainment in the 19th century. The conclusion, "The House We Live In," examines the political, economic and cultural aspects of race. Originally prepared by California Newsreel, a website which provided videos on a number of contemporary topics, Race: The Power of an Illusion made its mainstream TV bow courtesy of PBS beginning April 24, 2003.