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INTERVIEW: ‘Colin in Black & White’: Ava DuVernay Hints At Why Kaepernick Netflix Series Is Special

“Some people think it’s a doc, it’s not a doc. Some people think it’s just a coming of age story, it’s not that either,” she tells BET.com in an interview.

Netflix's latest dive into telling Black stories focuses on the life of civil rights activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Created by the 33-year-old, Colin in Black & White, the six-episode drama series stars newcomer Jaden Michael, who plays Kaep during his high school years as an adopted biracial kid, growing up in an affluent white neighborhood in sunny California.

In an interview with BET.com, the acclaimed director of the show, Ava DuVernay, offers insights into the series' racial tropes and experiences faced by the then three-sport star, as he comes to terms with his Blackness and overcomes struggles while on his way to a professional career.

“I saw all of these interesting things about microaggressions, privilege, access, race, culture and class,” she said, looking back on moments in Kaepernick’s life that helped tie the story together. “Some people think it’s a doc, it’s not a doc. Some people think it’s just a coming of age story, it’s not that either,” she says. “It’s this kind of stew, [made up] of a bunch of different techniques to get across the things that are important to us.”

Kaepernick narrates the racist mistreatment he suffered, navigating his parents' expectations, and even shares his first experiences with Black hair styling throughout the series.

The Netflix series is available now and also stars Mary Louise-Parker, Nick Offerman, Klarke Pipkin and more.

Watch the full interview with BET.com below:

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