Ep 5. The Revolt

America Inside Out with Katie Couric is a documentary series that explores hot button issues and trends shaping the United States of America today. Host Katie Couric travels around the country meeting with real people, experts and leaders to get their unique takes on what is happening, what is driving the changes and how people are reacting. Season one, episode five is titled "The Revolt" and it takes a deep dive into the growing political divide that is reshaping America.

The episode begins with Katie Couric introducing viewers to two people, who despite living in the same community, have vastly different views on politics. They are both middle-aged women and both are mothers. However, their political leanings are completely opposite. One is a staunch conservative, a devout Christian and an ardent supporter of the current president. The other is a lifelong Democrat, a feminist and an advocate for social justice. Despite these stark differences in their viewpoint, they are friends and coexist peacefully in their small town. Couric asks them how they manage to be friends despite their diverging political ideologies. The women respond that they focus on their common ground, which is their love for their families, their community and their country.

Next, the episode delves into the larger political divide that is playing out across the nation. There is a growing sense of political polarization, where people are retreating into their own camps, refusing to engage with those who disagree with them. This is happening not only at the individual level but also at the institutional level. There is less and less bipartisan cooperation in government, as lawmakers are becoming more beholden to their party than their constituents. The result is a fundamental breakdown in the democratic process, as people are no longer able to communicate with one another across the aisle.

Couric travels to the heartland of America, where she meets with several politicians who have been swept up in this current of polarizing politics. She interviews a Republican senator who has been a vocal supporter of the Trump administration, as well as a Democratic candidate who is running for office in a conservative district. Despite their differences, the two politicians share a concern for the future of democracy. They believe that the increasing polarization is a threat to the country itself, and they are both committed to finding solutions that can bridge the gap between left and right.

The episode then turns to the issue of race, which is at the forefront of the current political climate. Couric travels to a predominantly African American neighborhood in Baltimore, where she meets with activists who are fighting for civil rights. She also speaks with a white nationalist group, who claim that they are the victims of reverse discrimination and who advocate for the creation of a separate white ethno-state.

The final segment of the episode features a candid conversation between Couric and a group of young people who are fed up with the way politics is being conducted today. They believe that the system has failed them, and they are determined to find a new way forward. They are turning to activism, organizing protests, and running for office themselves, in order to create change.

Overall, the episode paints a picture of a deeply divided nation, where people are retreating into their own camps and refusing to engage with those who disagree with them. The episode is timely, given the current state of politics and the growing sense of polarization that is playing out across the country. Couric does an excellent job of presenting both sides of the political divide, giving viewers a glimpse into the motivations and beliefs of those who are driving this growing rift. The episode is a thought-provoking and important look at the state of our democracy, and it provides a valuable starting point for discussions about how we can bridge the gap between left and right.