American Experience Season 19 Episode 3 Eyes on the Prize (Parts 5 & 6): Is This America?, Bridge to Freedom

The American Experience season 19 episode 3 is titled "Eyes on the Prize (Parts 5 & 6): Is This America?, Bridge to Freedom". The episode chronicles the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, particularly the events that led up to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Parts 5 and 6 of the "Eyes on the Prize" documentary series aim to capture the essence and significance of the movement's struggle for equal voting rights for African Americans.

The episode starts by showing a montage of the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s. It highlights the bravery of protesters who risked their lives to fight for equality. The violence and brutality that they experienced are also depicted in graphic detail. The documentary features interviews with key figures who were instrumental in the struggle for voting rights, including John Lewis, Julian Bond, and Stokely Carmichael.

Part 5 of the episode focuses on the struggle for voting rights in Selma, Alabama. It outlines the events leading up to the Selma to Montgomery March, including the failed attempts by black citizens to register to vote. The episode features interviews with those who participated in the march, including Joan Baez and Harry Belafonte. It also depicts the police brutality that the marchers faced and the role of the national media in bringing attention to the issue.

Part 6 of the episode, "Bridge to Freedom," centers on the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, which was a pivotal moment in the movement for voting rights. The episode features archive footage of the events leading up to the march, including speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. It also illustrates the violent police response to the peaceful protestors, which provoked widespread outrage across the country. The documentary shows the marchers' tenacity and courage in the face of adversity, culminating in the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Overall, "Eyes on the Prize (Parts 5 & 6): Is This America?, Bridge to Freedom" provides a thorough and compelling account of the Civil Rights Movement's struggle for voting rights. Through interviews with key figures and historical footage, the episode captures the essence of the movement's efforts and the enormous sacrifices made by those who fought for equality. It is a powerful reflection on the progress that has been made and the work still required to make America a more just society.