Family Pictures USA Season 1 Episode 2

Ep 2. Detroit

  • TV-PG
  • August 13, 2019
  • 54 min

Family Pictures USA is a documentary series that follows host Thomas Allen Harris as he travels across America, exploring the cultural and historical significance of family photographs. In season 1 episode 2, titled "Detroit," Harris dives into the rich history of the Motor City.

Detroit is known for its iconic automobiles, Motown music, and as the birthplace of the labor movement. But Harris wants to dig deeper, exploring the city's complex history and the people who have made it what it is today. He begins by meeting with artist Jerome Ferretti, who discusses his family's history in Detroit's famed Eastern Market, where his grandparents had a fruit stand. Harris and Ferretti walk through the market, taking in its vibrant colors and smells, and discussing the many ways in which it has changed over the years.

Next, Harris meets with Reverend Joan Ross from St. Matthew's and St. Joseph's Episcopal Church. Reverend Ross discusses the challenges facing Detroit today, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to basic resources. She also reflects on the city's past, including the civil rights movement and the historic 1967 Detroit riots. Harris and Reverend Ross visit the site of the former Algiers Motel, where three African American men were killed by police during the riots. Reverend Ross recalls the profound impact that this event had on the city and its residents.

Harris then visits the Detroit Historical Museum, where he explores the museum's vast collection of artifacts and photographs. He is particularly drawn to a series of photographs taken by Dr. Albert Kahn, a prominent Detroit architect who documented the city's changing landscape from the 1900s through the 1930s. Harris notes the contrast between the pristine images of Detroit's early years and the gritty reality of the city today.

In another segment, Harris meets with artist Olayami Dabls, who has created an outdoor sculpture park in the heart of Detroit's North End neighborhood. Dabls discusses the importance of preserving the city's cultural heritage, and how his work reflects the experiences of African Americans in Detroit. Harris and Dabls tour the sculpture park, which features murals, sculptures, and other works of art that tell the stories of Dabls' ancestors, as well as the many people who have lived and worked in Detroit over the years.

Finally, Harris meets with Hekima and Wakili Lee, a mother and son who have an extensive collection of family photographs and other memorabilia. The Lees talk about the challenges of growing up in Detroit during turbulent times, including the 1967 riots. They also share stories of their ancestors, including Hekima's great-grandmother Mary Ellen Pleasant, who was a prominent abolitionist and entrepreneur in California during the Gold Rush era.

Throughout the episode, Harris weaves together these various stories and perspectives to create a nuanced, multifaceted portrait of Detroit. From the city's industrial past to its present challenges and future potential, Family Pictures USA captures the spirit of this unique and resilient city.

Description
Watch Family Pictures USA - Detroit (s1 e2) Online - Watch online anytime: Stream, Download, Buy, Rent
Family Pictures USA, Season 1 Episode 2, is available to watch free on PBS and stream on PBS Living. You can also stream, download, buy, rent Family Pictures USA on demand at Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    August 13, 2019
  • Content Rating
    TV-PG
  • Runtime
    54 min
  • Language
    English