Bill Moyers: Becoming American

Watch Bill Moyers: Becoming American

  • 2003
  • 1 Season

Bill Moyers: Becoming American is a stirring and moving six-part documentary series that explores the rich and complex history of immigration in America. The series is hosted by legendary journalist and political commentator Bill Moyers, who brings his decades of experience and sharp insight to bear on this timely and poignant subject.

Each episode of the series focuses on a different aspect of the immigrant experience, from the challenges and barriers faced by newcomers to the ways in which immigrants have enriched and transformed American culture. The series is divided into six parts, each of which tells a different story and explores a different aspect of the immigrant experience.

The first episode, "The Century of Immigration," provides an overview of the history of immigration in America, tracing the path of newcomers from Europe, Asia, and Latin America throughout the 20th century. The episode explores the reasons why people came to America in search of a better life, as well as the challenges and difficulties they faced in their new homes.

The second episode, "City of Dreams," focuses on the city of New York as a gateway for immigrants to America. The episode tells the story of the millions of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island and settled in the city, from the early days of Irish and German immigrants to the more recent waves of immigrants from Latin America and Asia.

The third episode, "The Golden Door," explores the relationship between the immigrant experience and the American dream. Through interviews with immigrants themselves and experts on American history and culture, the episode examines how the dream of a better life in America has lured people from all over the world, and how that dream has evolved over time.

The fourth episode, "Remembering the Immigrants," looks at the ways in which immigrants have been remembered and memorialized in American history and culture. The episode focuses on such iconic images as the Statue of Liberty and discusses the social movements and political struggles that have shaped the immigrant experience.

The fifth episode, "Family and Community," delves into the importance of family and community in the immigrant experience. The episode looks at how immigrants forge new relationships and networks in their new homes, and how those relationships help them to navigate the challenges and obstacles they face.

The final episode, "Immigration and the American Future," examines the current state of immigration in America and looks to the future of the immigrant experience. The episode explores the ways in which immigration has become a hot-button political issue and asks what the future holds for the millions of immigrants who continue to come to America in search of a better life.

Throughout the series, Bill Moyers brings his signature style of insightful and incisive commentary to bear. His deep knowledge of American history and politics, coupled with his empathetic and compassionate approach to storytelling, make him the perfect guide for this journey through the immigrant experience.

In addition to Moyers' commentary, the series features a wide range of interviews with immigrants themselves, as well as with historians, experts, and activists who have dedicated their lives to the study and support of immigrants. Through these interviews and their stories, the series paints a rich and complex portrait of the immigrant experience in America, one that is at once inspiring, heartbreaking, and deeply human.

Overall, Bill Moyers: Becoming American is a powerful and moving tribute to the immigrant experience in America. The series offers a nuanced and insightful view of this complex and multifaceted subject, exploring both the challenges and the triumphs of the millions of immigrants who have come to America in search of a better life. Whether you are an immigrant yourself or simply interested in the history and culture of America, this series is a must-watch.

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Seasons
No Turning Back
3. No Turning Back
March 27, 2003
Chinese Americans reflect on their evolving identities in the United States, from their experiences as objects of suspicion and contempt during the Cold War in the 1950s to asserting their rights as citizens during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Looking towards the future, students offer their thoughts on what it means to be Chinese American today.
Between Two Worlds
2. Between Two Worlds
March 26, 2003
The Chinese Exclusion Act produces a bachelor society as Chinese men continue to support families back home, unable to bring their wives to America. World War II offers opportunities for the Chinese, who embark on a new phase of their journey to citizenship.
Gold Mountain Dreams
1. Gold Mountain Dreams
March 25, 2003
Fleeing civil war, flooding, and famine, thousands of young men leave the villages of southern China to seek their fortunes in the California Gold Rush of 1849. Most move on to other jobs in the American West--from fishing, farming, cooking, and washing clothes to working on the first transcontinental railroad.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    March 25, 2003