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By Darlene Donloe, Contributing Writer -- 

As part of its Black History Month programming, TV One will look at African American life in films, television shows and music from the 1970s through the ’90s in a series of retrospectives called “Way Black When.”

Each week during February, one of four genres will be highlighted, including “Lords of Comedy,” hosted by Tommy Davidson (Feb. 1 to 5). “Lords of Comedy” takes a look at classic sitcoms like “The Flip Wilson Show” and “The Richard Pryor Show.”

“Soul Soundtracks,” hosted by Chris “Kid” Reid (Feb. 8 to 12), honors music-based films like “Cooley High” and “Krush Groove” that underscored the black experience. “Color TV,” hosted by “A Different World’s” Darryl Bell (Feb. 15 to 19), focuses on classic sitcoms like “The Jeffersons,” “Good Times” and “What’s Happening.”

“Black Power Cinema,” hosted by Mario Van Peebles (Feb. 22 to 26), showcases so-called “blaxploitation” films of the 1970s like “The Mack,” “Cleopatra Jones,” “Foxy Brown” “Three the Hard Way” and “Sweet Jesus Preacher Man.”

Set to air during primetime on weeknights, “Way Black When” will showcase classic films and television shows, interspersed with in-depth discussions with actors, musicians, producers, directors and others who either helped create, were a part of, or were influenced by the various genres.

“The manner in which our culture has been portrayed in film and television provides an interesting and provocative lens through which to view our history over the past 40 years,” TV One senior vice president of Original Programming Toni Judkins said in a statement. “With the help of a number of the actors, comedians, producers and directors involved, we not only want to spotlight that programming, but tell a story about how it relates to where our culture and society are today.”

Some artists involved in the specials include Anne-Marie Johnson, Glynn Turman, Warrington Hudlin, Doug Williams, Brian McKnight, El DeBarge, Marla Gibbs, Kurtis Blow, Fred “The Hammer” Williamson and many more.

I caught up Mario Van Peebles on the set of “Way Black When” to discuss the significance of the show and why he wanted to host the “blaxploitation” segment of the series.

“Honestly, it was a chance to sit with brothas like Fred (Williamson) and Roger (Mosley) and my dad (Melvin Van Peebles) and just be around this history and learn from these cats,” said actor and director Van Peebles, who starred in “New Jack City,” “Heartbreak Ridge” and “Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power.” “I like learning. These were the first movies that showed us not just being beautiful, but bad, classy and (butt)-kicking and name-taking, too. These are the first movies where we won.”

One actor who was known for being tough was former NFL player-turned-actor Fred “The Hammer” Williamson.

Williamson starred in several “blaxploitation” films, including “Black Caesar,” “Hell Up in Harlem” and “Three the Hard Way.” Although he was part of that mix, Williamson said he never understood the “blaxploitation” label.

“I have no idea what it means,” Williamson said. “I’ve been black all my life. Blaxploitation — I don’t know what that means. I wasn’t being exploited. I was happy with the pay. The fans were happy with the outcome. So I don’t know who was being exploited.”

And, although he is a part of the retrospective, Williamson is ambivalent about the importance of looking back.

“It’s not really important unless you assume there are going to be changes,” he said. “This is show number 2,995 that I’ve made talking about the good old days. And nothing has changed. There’s no growth from the time we made our movies in the ’70s to today.”

Roger Mosley, who starred in “Leadbelly,” “The Mack” and on television’s “Magnum PI,” disagrees. He is encouraged by the movement African Americans have made in the industry.

“I’ve seen us become more knowledgeable and aware of our position in entertainment,” Mosley said. But the opportunities are becoming less and less. I’m looking at the last couple of movies to acquire blockbuster status. In ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ we weren’t there. ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Avatar’ don’t have to deal with us.

“If you look at recent movies, there’s no place for us in ‘It’s Complicated,’ ‘Did You Hear about the Morgans?’ There’s a place for us in ‘The Blindside,’ but we need white folks to help us. They don’t have to deal with us with ‘Lord of the Rings.’ As far as African Americans, the industry has decided, let’s eliminate us all together. Still, I’m encouraged.”

Melvin Van Peebles, who wrote, produced, directed, scored and starred in “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song,” is delighted a retrospective is being done highlighting African American accomplishments.

“If you don’t know your mistakes, you’re doomed to repeat them,” Melvin Van Peebles said. “It can also help you with strategy for the future. If you don’t know there is a hole there, then you don’t know to avoid the hole. Then there’s the other side. There’s a lot to be proud of.”