Mobeen Azhar explores racism in the US in new BBC documentary

Mobeen Azhar explores racism in the US in new BBC documentary

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Friday, 16th August 2019
Mobeen Azhar with a member of a far-right group in Oregon (Credit: BBC/Expectation Entertainment Ltd)
Mobeen Azhar with a member of a far-right group in Oregon (Credit: BBC/Expectation Entertainment Ltd)

BBC Two has announced a two-part documentary on racial tensions in the US.

A Black And White Killing: The Case That Shook America centres on the tragic death of Larnell Bruce, a young black man who was run over outside a convenience store in 2016 by Russel Courtier, a member of white supremacist gang European Kindred.

CCTV footage of the incident was released shortly afterwards and went viral across the US, causing many to question if Bruce was killed because of the colour of his skin.

Award-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar travels to Portland, Oregon, to investigate the crime and on his journey discovers the trial has become part of a much bigger story on racial tensions, race and white supremacy in America.

Azhar comes to face-to-face with members of European Kindred, as well as armed neo-Nazis who claim to be ‘patriots’.

From his investigation, Azhar is pointed towards the US prison system where many white supremacist gangs were born, including European Kindred.

The journalist also speaks with the families of the victim and the defendant as the trial continues in the US courts.

“The death of Larnell Bruce was tragic,” said Azhar. “The scars of racial injustice still run deep across America and his story gives us an opportunity to ask some uncomfortable and important questions about race relations in the US.”

"I saw first-hand how polarised the discussion of race has become. I hope this series can shed more light into a dark world of white supremacists and other forces that are at play in driving people apart in America today.”

Colin Barr, Exec Producer, Expectation Factual Productions, added: "A Black And White Killing: The Case That Shook America started as an investigation into the killing of one young man, but became a journey into something much darker and more sinister.”

“Following Mobeen into the heart of America’s violent white supremacist gangs is a troubling, frightening experience but few people could handle it with such fearlessness and journalistic rigour.”

The two-part documentary starts on Sunday 25th August on BBC Two.

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BBC Two has announced a two-part documentary on racial tensions in the US.