L.A. Fitness Is Now Apologizing After Accusations Of Racial Profiling
WHITFIELD: This week, highs and lows where race is at the core. L.A. fitness is now apologizing after accusations of racial profiling. Videos posted on Facebook show staff members in New Jersey asking two African-American men to leave. Those men say they were targeted, even though they had a valid membership and guest pass to be there. L.A. fitness says they are now exploring ways to better train staff members. This follows the arrest of two black men at a Starbucks in Philadelphia who were waiting for a business colleague. Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz says he is, quoting now, "embarrassed and ashamed." The CEO promised this.</s>KEVIN JOHNSON, STARBUCKS CEO: For me, it's a learning experience. It's an emotional learning experience, and I take it personally. So, yes, I'm affected by it. And I'm going to fix it.</s>WHITFIELD: Contrast that with a couple milestones being celebrated involving two of music's biggest stars. At Coachella, the largest music festival in the U.S., Beyonce is the first woman of color to ever headline it. And rapper Kendrick Lamar becomes the first Pulitzer Prize winner for music that isn't a classical or jazz musician. So what does all of this say about race in America? Joining me right now is CNN political commentator and host of the "VAN JONES SHOW," Van Jones. Van, good to see you.</s>VAN JONES, CNN HOST, VAN JONES SHOW: Good to see you.</s>WHITFIELD: All right. SO how do we assess what's happening when you have new examples of racial profiling juxtaposed against barriers still being broken?</s>JONES: Well, you know, when a train is moving, all the cars aren't in the same place. And I think we may be seeing real progress and real breakthroughs in other places. In some places, certainly, in the arts and communication and in entertainment, you are seeing breakthrough after breakthrough. You know, Ryan Coogler with "the Black Panther."</s>WHITFIELD: At that Starbucks, these two gentlemen, you know, handled it in a really inspiring way. While it was a heartbreaking thing, you know, to say. And you know, one of the gentlemen saying, you know, this is a people thing. And now Starbucks is teaching classes in a month. So is this a starting point or is this a false start that it's a month from now?</s>JONES: No, no. It takes a while to pull the curriculum together and that kind of stuff. I mean, and frankly, if you are going to take a whole day as Starbucks is doing, close all your stores, that's a huge statement, and then try to retrain everybody all at once. You better do it right. If you rush and do it, you know, day after tomorrow and it's a disaster and it doesn't work and makes no difference, that's not good. I think the fact that they said that they are going to do it and are planning to do it, and have brought in some very, very serious people to do it sends a very important signal all the way down the chain that this is not going to be tolerated.</s>WHITFIELD: So these other incredible high points you alluded to, you know, "Black Panther," you know, still dominating at the theaters, this is black produced, directed by, you know, the same, a black man, mostly cast of black talent, huge hit while there also remains this real feeling among black people of being dismissed, being discounted, being disregarded in so many ways.</s>JONES: Yes.</s>WHITFIELD: How do, you know, we understand?</s>JONES: Yes.</s>WHITFIELD: You know, these extremes here.</s>JONES: Yes, well, I mean, there's no celebration when an all-white cast has a movie that's successful. So that lets you know right there that that's the norm. That's already been accomplished. But when an all-black cast does, we rightfully celebrate because it's never happened before. You have an all-black cast, no slaves, no drug dealers, you know, all dignified people, even the enemy, even the opponent has some dignity to him. It's a huge achievement. But listen. It's a tale of two cities. It's the best of times and the worst of times. I mean, you -- both things can be true that good things are happening. But there are things that are happening to ordinary people who don't have the fame, who don't have extraordinary talent, who don't have big studios behind them that's just not fair.</s>WHITFIELD: So there was, you know, this real palpable feeling, you know, of empowerment during the Obama administration, people of color, women out front, you know, and center in leadership roles with real power. So how hopeful are you that there will be this return of that kind of feeling?</s>JONES: You know, listen, breakdowns lead to breakthroughs. Let's not forget the Obama moment came after the George W. Bush moment where some people felt that we were moving in the wrong direction, had gotten into these two wars that we didn't know how to get out of. We had a big recession under George Bush and the collapse of the stock market. So, you know, in that situation, suddenly people turn to an Obama who seemed more hopeful. Who knows what comes after this moment. It could be something even more hopeful, even more beautiful. Things go back and forth. But here's what I do know. The idea that progress is inevitable and can never be rolled back, that idea has to be taken off the table. It is, in fact, every generation's responsibility to fight for more justice and against injustice just because Dr. King's generation made a step forward, doesn't mean that something good is happening in the Starbucks today. Those have nothing to do -- just because Barack Obama was elected nine years ago, doesn't mean that what's happening in that sports center is fair today. You got to continue to be vigilant for what we call liberty and justice for all. It's not automatic. We got to fight for it every day.</s>WHITFIELD: All right. Van Jones, thanks so much. Always good to see you. And of course we will all be watching "THE VAN JONES" tonight, 7:00 p.m. right here on CNN. Thanks so much.</s>JONES: Thank you so much.</s>WHITFIELD: Also tonight, don't miss two all-new episodes of Christian Amanpour, "Sex and Love Around the World." It all starts at 10:00 p.m. Here's a sneak peek.</s>CHRISTIAN AMANPOUR, CNN HOST: For years, marriage and relationships here have been controlled by three sacred pillars. Family, tradition, and state. I'm curious to find out to what extent people are taking back control of their relationships, their love, their desire, and their sexuality.</s>WHITFIELD: All right. Don't miss "Sex and Love around the World" tonight, 10:00 eastern and pacific right here on CNN.