MTV’s ‘White People’ Tackles Race Debate With Uncomfortable Questions (Video)

Jose Antonio Vargas film is part of cable channel’s “Look Different” campaign

It may not be easy being green, but what’s it really like to be white?

Jose Antonio Vargas and MTV set to find out with documentary “White People,” which aims to get young caucasian men and women to talk openly and honestly about race.

“Whiteness often remains unexamined in conversations about race in this country, even as it acts as the implicit norm against which other racial identities are judged,” Stephen Friedman, president of MTV said. “By shining a spotlight on whiteness, we hope ‘White People’ will serve as a powerful conversation starter that encourages our audience to address racial bias through honest, judgment-free dialogue.”

The posted trailer teases Vargas’ journey across America and his conversations with white Millennials of varying social, economic, and educational backgrounds. Along the way, he meets Samantha, Katy, Lucas, John and Dakota: five young white people who share their thoughts on white privilege, affirmative action, and racial identity in modern America.

“White People” was directed and executive produced by Vargas. Erika Clarke serves as executive producer, as well as Craig D’Entrone and Amelia D’Entrone for Punched In The Head Productions. Stephen Friedman and Betsy Forhan are the executive producers for MTV.

The TV film, part of the cable channel’s “Look Different” campaign, airs Wednesday, July 22 at 8 p.m. on MTV. “White People” will simultaneously be made available on MTV.com, the MTV App, MTV’s Facebook page and its YouTube channel, as well as the following morning on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video and MTV’s Video On Demand services.

Watch the trailer above.

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