Culture

PBS American Portrait

PBS American Portrait invites America to participate in a national conversation about what it really means to be an American today. To answer this question, PBS and its partners collected thousands of photos, videos and text submissions from across America to capture the state and spirit of our nation.

"I Rise"

54m 51s

In the fourth episode of PBS American Portrait, go inside the lives of people working to create an antiracist American future. They film themselves doing the hard work, confronting the obstacles and achieving the small victories that could add up to real change in the movement for racial justice.

Episodes

  • "I Rise": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "I Rise"

    S1 E4 - 54m 51s

    In the fourth episode of PBS American Portrait, go inside the lives of people working to create an antiracist American future. They film themselves doing the hard work, confronting the obstacles and achieving the small victories that could add up to real change in the movement for racial justice.

  • "I Keep": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "I Keep"

    S1 E3 - 54m 52s

    In the third episode of PBS American Portrait, people film themselves as they try to preserve or change traditions in their lives and communities. From struggles to protect culture to eliminating toxic legacies, it’s an intimate look at the practices we’ve inherited and the ones we’ll pass on.

  • "I Work": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "I Work"

    S1 E2 - 54m 50s

    In the second episode of PBS American Portrait, everyday people share self-shot stories about their jobs and careers as they navigate the changes they’re experiencing and the goals they’re working towards. From teachers to truck drivers, they explore what it really means to work in America today.

  • "I Dream": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    "I Dream"

    S1 E1 - 54m 49s

    In the first episode of PBS American Portrait, self-shot stories explore the meaning and state of the American dream. From the desire for homeownership to ambitions for higher ed or career success, they show the hard work, opportunities and barriers that come with pursuing this ideal today.

Extras + Features

  • Episode 3 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 3 Preview

    S1 E3 - 30s

    In the third episode of PBS American Portrait, people across America film themselves as they try to preserve or change traditions in their lives and communities. From struggles to protect culture to eliminating toxic legacies, it’s an intimate look at the practices we’ve inherited and the ones we’ll pass on.

  • Saving Ancestral Land From Auction: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Saving Ancestral Land From Auction

    S1 E3 - 4m 8s

    Dwight is of Gullah heritage, descendants of West African enslaved people who have preserved their culture along the southeastern coastal United States. But with property taxes increasing due to predatory development and intensifying gentrification, Dwight must come up with the money to pay his tax bill or his family's ancestral land will be sold at county tax auction.

  • A Small Business In Chinatown Copes With COVID-19: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Small Business In Chinatown Copes With COVID-19

    S1 E3 - 3m 7s

    The store Patrick manages in Chinatown is struggling with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Patrick has ideas for reinvigorating the area and driving more business.

  • Advocating To Change A School Mascot: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Advocating To Change A School Mascot

    S1 E3 - 4m 49s

    For years Yolonda has been pushing to end the tradition of using her culture as sports team mascots. Now in 2020, with major league teams dropping offensive team names, a Texas high school student seeks Yolonda's support and guidance to remove his school's offensive mascot.

  • A College Student Advocates For Abolishing Greek Life: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A College Student Advocates For Abolishing Greek Life

    S1 E3 - 4m 36s

    Frustrated by the race and class bias within her school's Greek life system, Zena shares her experiences and meets with other students to build momentum in their efforts to abolish Greek life on campus.

  • Episode 2 Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 2 Preview

    S1 E2 - 30s

    Everyday people share self-shot stories about their jobs and careers as they navigate the changes they’re experiencing and the goals they’re working towards. From teachers to truck drivers, they explore what it really means to work in America today.

  • Sanitation Workers Strike For Better Wages: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Sanitation Workers Strike For Better Wages

    S1 E2 - 3m 30s

    In New Orleans, sanitation workers, also known as Hoppers, go on strike for better wages. After three months, D’Artanian expresses how the strike is affecting his life.

  • A Teacher Faces Unemployment Due To COVID-19: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Teacher Faces Unemployment Due To COVID-19

    S1 E2 - 3m 25s

    Teaching has always been Jessica’s passion. But when her school district lays off 200 teachers, Jessica finds herself without a job amidst the COVID pandemic.

Schedule

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