ANTIRACISM AND RACIAL JUSTICE
These important PBS news specials and award-winning films are available online to help viewers better understand today’s headlines and reflect on the long history of racial injustice in America that brought us to this point. Included are recent specials by PBS NewsHour, films from American Masters and Independent Lens, two films by Ken Burns, three series from Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and more.
Featured
Bestselling Author Ibram X. Kendi: How to Be an Antiracist
Author Ibram Kendi discusses his new book on fighting racism.
Twilight: Los Angeles
An encore of Anna Deavere Smith’s theatrical work about the 1992 L.A. riots.
Why Are There SO Many Confederate Monuments?
Danielle looks at Confederate and Union Civil War monuments.
Race Matters: America in Crisis
Outrage is pouring onto the streets over police brutality and the death of George Floyd.
A memoir of musical reverence to A Tribe Called Quest
A memoir of musical reverence to A Tribe Called Quest
RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR
April 8, 2019
Reconstruction | Hour 1 Preview
Reconstruction: America After The Civil War explores the transformative years following the American Civil War, when the nation struggled to rebuild itself in the face of profound loss, massive destruction, and revolutionary social change.
James Baldwin from ``The Negro and the American Promise``
James Baldwin's appearance on Boston Public television alongside MLK and Malcolm X.
Alabama Public Television Productions
Justice Without Violence
The story of the now legendary Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-1956. Locally engineered by the African American community, this nonviolent protest to end bus segregation inspired a new era in freedom and human rights struggles around the globe. Never has a movement so successfully united a group of people across class, gender and age.
Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend
Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend explores the extraordinary lives, inspirations, and history of these artists, and also follows them on a poignant and sometimes very comical bus journey to see their quilts exhibited at The Milwaukee Art Museum.
Mr. Dial Has Something to Say
Thornton Dial was self-taught artist that didn't begin his work until after his retirement from decades of building Pullman cars. His work was universally hailed as brilliant but he labored largely in obscurity for most of his art career. This award-winning film explores Dial's work along with the challenges and biases of a larger art world that wasn't ready for his innate genius.
INDEPENDENT LENS
Tell Them We Are Rising
The rich but undertold history of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975: Angela Davis
Learn about Angela Davis and her deep impact on global liberation movements.
Charm City
In Baltimore, the murder rate is high and trust in law enforcement is low—meet the engaged citizens reversing those trends in Charm City.
Project C
Each school year, Alabama Public Television produces one or more Learning Adventures. These webcasts are designed to be live streamed at specific, scheduled times, and feature interactivity. Project C is a 7 part series designed for grades 6-12 that explores the American Civil Rights Movement.
Project C: The Children's March
This first episode explores Birmingham, Alabama as student reporters begin on a journey to discover how the civil rights movement of 1963 is still relevant today by visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Bethel Baptist Church and more, to speak with experts. Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Ahmad Ward, Director of Education for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, answer viewer questions.
Project C: Boycotts and Lawsuits
In part two, our journey to discover the lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement continues. We check in on our community page and follow our student reporters as they visit the Southern Poverty Law Center and meet with activists from the 1960s to learn about how to take action against injustice. Activist Bishop Calvin Woods and civil rights attorney Doug Jones answer viewer questions.
Project C: Taking Action
In this episode of Project C, our student reporters conclude their journey of discovery by meeting with activists working on current issues of inequality and discrimination. Human rights activist Shelly Stewart and Immigration reform activist Arturo Burciaga answer questions submitted by students during the live event.
PBS Series and Specials
Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise
Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise - Part 1
Black America Since MLK looks at the last five decades of African American history.
RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR
Reconstruction | Part 1, Hour 1
The aftermath of the Civil War was bewildering, exhilarating . . . and terrifying.
The Talk - Race in America
The conversation parents of color have with their children about interactions with police.
The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross
The Black Atlantic
Explore the global history that created the African American people.
American Masters
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart
Explore the life of activist and playwright Lorraine Hansberry.
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Dr. Maya Angelou was a singer, dancer, activist, poet and writer who inspired generations.
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
Discover the man behind the legend. With full access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film features never-before-seen footage.
Charley Pride: I’m Just Me
Follow the country music superstar’s journey from segregated Mississippi to Nashville.
Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me
The first major film documentary of the life and art of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.
Basquiat: Rage to Riches
He lived fast, died young and created thousands of drawings and paintings.
POV
POV Shorts: The Changing Same
One man runs a marathon in hopes of lifting the veil of racial terror in his town.
POV Shorts: Positive Images
Two short documentaries explore the history and memory of African-American communities.
POV Shorts: There's No Place Like Home
Portraits and stories from people who live life on the margins.
Stay Close
Home videos and animation tell the story of Keeth Smart, an Olympic Fencer from Brooklyn.
StoryCorps Shorts
StoryCorps Shorts: The Treasures of Mrs. Grady's Library
Judge Olly Neal recounts how a book cover turned him around academically.
StoryCorps Shorts: You Move Me
“Getting off the bus there was a puddle and you took your shirt off and laid it down.``
StoryCorps Shorts: A More Perfect Union
Theresa Burroughs remembers her pursuit of the right to vote in Alabama during Jim Crow.
PBS NewsHour
Turning silence on police shootings into poetry
Marcus Wicker offers his Brief but Spectacular take on beats, rhymes and poetry.
Ben Crump on American racism and a 'long journey to justice'
Attorney Ben Crump on Trayvon Martin, racial hypocrisy and signs of progress.
Why seeing a role model who looks like you is so powerful
Why seeing a role model who looks like you is so powerful.
Why we need to stop sharing American Dream success stories
Why would author Casey Gerald want people to stop highlighting success stories?
An 'unapologetic' black feminist on the pace of change
An 'unapologetic' black feminist on accelerating the pace of change.
A Brief But Spectacular take on appreciating what we have
A Brief But Spectacular take on appreciating what we have.
A young black pastor on preaching hope amid despair
A young black pastor's Brief But Spectacular take on preaching with hope.
Talking about race is hard. Here's why it's worth it
Talking about race with your own mom can be hard. Here's why it's worth it.
There is no 'single story spun on a single tongue'
Why this poet says there is no 'single story spun on a single tongue.'
What white Americans hear in the word ‘race’
Dyson gives his Brief but Spectacular take on white privilege and the American racism.
Artist Paul Rucker on systemic racism in America
Artist Paul Rucker on bringing truth to light around American systemic racism.
How Tongo Eisen-Martin looks to poetry to create revolution
Tongo Eisen-Martin's Brief But Spectacular take on poetry as revolution.
American Experience
Roads to Memphis
The fateful narrative of James Earl Ray who shot Dr. Martin Luther King on April 4, 1968.
The Fight
The famous 1938 heavyweight fight between American Joe Louis and German Max Schmeling.
Jubilee Singers
Former slaves who battled prejudice & oppression to sing their way into a nation’s heart.
Eugene Bullard: An American in France
An American who escaped the racism of Georgia, and fought on the battlefields of France.
FRONTLINE
Documenting Hate: Charlottesville
FRONTLINE and ProPublica investigate the resurgence of white supremacists in America.
Two American Families
From FRONTLINE in 2013, Bill Moyers chronicled two ordinary families -- one black, one white -- for two decades.
UNLADYLIKE2020 FROM AMERICAN MASTERS
Maggie Lena Walker: Civil Rights Activist and Entrepreneur
Maggie Lena Walker was the first African-American woman bank founder and president.
Gladys Bentley: Gender-Bending Performer and Musician
Gladys Bentley was a musical sensation and gender identity pioneer.
Meta Warrick Fuller: Trailblazing African American Sculptor
Meta Warrick Fuller celebrated African American cultural identity through her artwork.
PBS DIGITAL STUDIOS
Should we police our police?
Should we raise the national standard for when police can use lethal force?
Whitescapes - Odili Donald Odita | The Art Assignment | PBS
What is white? What is any color?
Is the Rosa Parks Story True?
So why do we all know a misleading story about Rosa Parks?
Why Did Europeans Enslave Africans?
Why were most slaves in America from West Africa?
Why Does the Government Need to Know My Race?
Why does the government care about race?
The Origin of Race in the USA
How did Americans come to believe that race equals visible physical characteristics?
The Reason #BlackTwitter Exists (And Is Totally Awesome)
Black Twitter continues to be a source of debate, research, and of course endless cackles.
Race Card
A professor, a comedian, and an artist break down their interpretation “race card.``
Gentrification
An author, a professor and a filmmaker discuss their unique takes on gentrification.
Code Words
Examine the current function and long history of American’s use of “code words”.
Welfare
Explore the assumptions and misgivings of pejorative phrases like “Welfare queen.”
BLANK ON BLANK
James Brown on Conviction, Respect and Reagan
A classic lost interview with the ``Godfather of Soul``, James Brown.
Maya Angelou on Con Men
``The only way you can be a mark is if you want something for nothing.`` - Maya Angelou
Nina Simone on Shock
``I feel more alive now than I ever have in my life.`` - Nina Simone
Stevie Wonder on Keys of Life
``If God didn‘t want me to sing it, he wouldn‘t have given me the talent to do it.``
MUSIC AND ARTS
Twilight: Los Angeles
An encore of Anna Deavere Smith’s theatrical work about the 1992 L.A. riots.
Nas Live From the Kennedy Center: Classical Hip-Hop
Nas and the National Symphony Orchestra stage a symphonic rendition of “Illmatic.``
Dave Chappelle: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
Celebrate the work of stand-up comedian and actor, Dave Chappelle.
Why Richard Pryor is Still Funny
Hallease and Evelyn look at how comedy has changed throughout modern history.
Is ``Old Town Road`` by Lil Nas X Real Country Music?
Why was “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X initially removed from the country Billboard charts?
Are Three 6 Mafia the Godfathers of Modern Rap?
Three 6 Mafia created the building blocks for the trap sound.
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