ANTIRACISM AND RACIAL JUSTICE
We must each recognize and hold ourselves accountable for racism in America — from its most granular, interpersonal manifestations to its systemic expression in our communities, economies, institutions and rule of law.
Recognizing bias and unlearning the practice of racism demands education, listening and action on all of our parts, and PBS Wisconsin shares in this collective and urgent imperative. Public media’s strength is providing accessible resources that educate, inform and inspire — shining a bright light on the complexities of our history and gathering our community in dialogue and reflection.
Below we offer a substantial and evolving collection of national and local on-demand media from PBS and PBS Wisconsin to begin (un)learning together. Selections come from trusted programs like Independent Lens, POV, and PBS NewsHour, along with local PBS Wisconsin productions which gather and chronicle the stories of our state.
This collection lends particular focus to the Black experience in America and in Wisconsin, and the persistence of anti-Black racism. It speaks to the institution of slavery in the United States from 1619 and through its manifold echoes that fuel widespread inequality and injustice today.
These resources also see and celebrate Black lives — our American history and present suffused with Black excellence, resistance, joy, love and liberation.
Learn more about our commitment to the communities we serve. Photo/Clay Banks
Featured
Jim Crow of the North
Jim Crow of the North reveals the history and impact of racist real estate covenants.
The History of White People in America
This film examines how skin color has come to define race in our country.
John Lewis - Get in the Way
Follow the journey of civil rights hero, congressman and human rights champion John Lewis.
Ida B Wells : The Advocate
Ida B. Wells was a prominent journalist who exposed racial violence in the South.
From the Abolitionist Movement to #BlackLivesMatter
The abolitionist movement of the 19th century helped galvanize the US against slavery.
We Are The Radical Monarchs
Meet the Radical Monarchs, a group of girls of color at the front lines of social justice.
Langston Hughes on Trial
Author Langston Hughes was called before Sen. McCarthy’s Subcommittee on Investigations.
INDEPENDENT LENS
Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project
Reclusive activist Marion Stokes videotaped TV 24/7 for decades in the name of truth.
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975: Angela Davis
Learn about Angela Davis and her deep impact on global liberation movements.
Charm City
PBS Wisconsin Passport
In Baltimore, the murder rate is high and trust in law enforcement is low—meet the engaged citizens reversing those trends in Charm City.
Always in Season
PBS Wisconsin Passport
A haunting exploration of lynching and racial violence in America.
Tell Them We Are Rising
The rich but undertold history of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
University Place
Policing Blackness after the Second World War
Simon Balto focuses on race, migration to urban spaces and police responses since WWII.
Black Suffrage in Early Wisconsin
Christy Clark-Pujara focuses on the disenfranchisement of black males in early Wisconsin.
Why Is There Black Radicalism?
Cedric Robinson shares the history of the Black Radicalism Tradition.
The Next Chapter for Youth Justice in Wisconsin
Tracy Benson, Sharlen Moore, Erica Nelson and Briana Reilly discuss youth incarceration.
Children Are Not Colorblind
Erin N. Winkler discusses how children form ideas about race.
Panel on Race, Children and Privilege
Panel discussion focusing on young children, race and the inequality of privilege.
Beloit's African-American History
Linda Fair explores the contributions of African-Americans in Beloit.
On the Run: Fugitive Life in an American City
Alice Goffman documents police violence and over-incarceration in Philadelphia.
Race, Gender and Carceral Feminism
Beth E. Richie and Fabu focus on the experiences of African American women who experience incarceration.
Race & Public Discourse in Progressive Cities
Sue Robinson focuses on racial inequity in progressive communities.
Wisconsin's Underground Railroad
Jesse Gant explores the myths and legends surrounding rescues by the Underground Railroad.
An African American Life in Search of Justice
Jody LePage shares the autobiography of Sylvia Bell White.
PBS Wisconsin Documentaries and Digital Series
Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams
The story of civil rights leader Vel Phillips, a woman of many ``firsts`` in Wisconsin.
Hip-Hop U: The First Wave Scholars
A film exploring the innovative work of students in the University of Wisconsin-Madison First Wave – Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives program.
The Light
Zhalarina Sanders tells an autobiographical story of forbidden love woven through three lyrical music videos fusing hip-hop and the theater arts.
Here & Now From PBS Wisconsin
Diversity in the Courts, Justice System
Judge Joseph Donald: Systematic barriers of ignorance, denial, silence create inequality.
Celebrating Juneteenth in 2020
Reggie Jackson of the Milwaukee Independent details his hope for consequential change.
Coronavirus Affecting New Communities in Milwaukee
Milw. Health Dept working with Latinx community partners to build trust, provide resources
Gwen Moore on George Floyd, Structural Racism
U.S. Rep. Moore says death of Dontre Hamilton inspired de-escalation training provision.
Wisconsin-wide Protests Over George Floyd's Death Continue
Wausau, Milwaukee, Madison demonstrators chanting for an end to police brutality.
Taking A Hard Look at What is Being Funded at What Level
Lt. Gov. Barnes says state will be short on cash, will need to reallocate funds for safety
Youth Demonstrate for Racial Equality
Noah Anderson details his experience with racism starting in a Madison elementary school.
It Was Only A Matter of Time, Enough Is Enough
Black Leaders Organizing for Communities' Lang advocating racism is public health crisis.
Addressing Systemic Racism
Michael Johnson, Boys & Girls Club of Dane Co., says investments a way to address racism.
How a Protester Defines Peace
Brandi Grayson, founder of Urban Triage, details what protesters are asking for.
Wisconsin Responds to George Floyd
Reporter Will Kenneally shows Wisconsinites' frustration with George Floyd's death.
Governor Outlines First Step, Opportunities to Move Needle
Evers details declaring racism a public health crisis, listening to 'people on the ground'
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.
Toni Morrison On Writing Without the ``White Gaze``
Toni Morrison talks about writing without the ``white gaze.``
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Dr. Maya Angelou was a singer, dancer, activist, poet and writer who inspired generations.
Charley Pride: I’m Just Me
PBS Wisconsin Passport
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.
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
PBS Wisconsin Passport
Discover the man behind the legend. With full access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film features never-before-seen footage.
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.
Wisconsin Life
Ms. Milele
The late Milele Anana's magazine ``UMOJA`` tells the positive story of African Americans in Madison.
Will Green
Will Green is changing the lives of teenage at-risk African Americans in the Madison area.
Curtis and Cake
Monica O’Connell uses her childhood memories and music to influence her baking.
Black Cat Alley
Milwaukee artist Tia Richardson hopes to paint her city in a positive light.
SAAF: The Fortune We Share
Animated adaptation of the comic strip “Something About a Flower,” by Rodney Lambright II
Meet the Actors, Go BTS of “The Fortune We Share`` Animation
Meet the Actors and Go Behind the Scenes of “The Fortune We Share” Animation
Noon Wednesday From PBS Wisconsin
Noon Wednesday: Communities Chart Course to Address Racism
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes discusses police reform and systemic racism.
Noon Wednesday: How a Protester Defines Peace
Brandi Grayson outlines protestor demands and provides her definition of peace.
Noon Wednesday: Milwaukee's Coronavirus Racial Divide
Rep. David Bowen discusses the impact of COVID-19 on Milwaukee's north side.
Noon Wednesday: Success and Shortcomings in Green Bay Equity
Mohammed Bey discusses what diversity and equity looks like in the greater Green Bay area.
Noon Wednesday: WI Cities Rank Worst For African Americans
Milwaukee and Racine were ranked the worst places for African Americans.
Noon Wednesday: Controversial Video Sparks Change
Kingsley-Reigne Pissang of the Student Inclusion Coalition.
Noon Wednesday: The Untold Story of Women’s Suffrage
The 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote, but not all women.
Noon Wednesday with guest Tanika Apaloo
Tanika Apaloo of the Wisconsin Historical Society talks of gathering oral histories.
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
PBS Wisconsin Passport
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.
WISCONTEXT
POLICING PRACTICES AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Where The First Week Of Police Accountability Protests Were In Wisconsin
After the killing of george floyd, demonstrators gathered in dozens of communities across the state.
35 Health Measures Illustrate Disparities Across Wisconsin In 2019
Visualizing the state’s county health rankings and roadmaps data.
The Role The ‘Racial Context Of Childhood’ Plays In Shaping Social Attitudes
How white children develop ideas about race by what goes on around them.
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND RACIAL BIAS
What Effects Do Pretrial Risk Assessments Have On Racial Biases In Justice System?
Researchers seek to better understand whether tools will reduce or perpetuate discrimination.
The Great Migration And Beloit’s African American Heritage
How jbs and family connected mississippi with a small Wisconsin city.
How Redlining Continues To Shape Racial Segregation In Milwaukee
A 1930s lending map reveals the policy roots of housing discrimination.
Wisconsin Remains Among The Worst States For Racial Disparities
An updated UW report shows little improvement since 2013.
How Kids Learn About Race, Stereotypes And Prejudice
UW-Milwaukee scholar finds encouraging ‘colorblindness’ doesn’t prevent children from forming biases.
Wisconsin’s Halting Path Toward Black Suffrage
Slavery, citizenship and securing the right to vote in a new state.
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
PBS Wisconsin Passport
Nas and the National Symphony Orchestra stage a symphonic rendition of “Illmatic.``
Dave Chappelle: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
PBS Wisconsin Passport
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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