POV Season 11 Episode 13 Family Name

In POV season 11 episode 13, titled "Family Name," viewers are taken on a journey of discovery alongside filmmaker Macky Alston as he explores the history and origins of his family name.

Alston, a white man from the American South, had always known that his family had once been slave owners. However, it wasn't until he started digging deeper into his family's past that he realized the full extent of their involvement in the institution of slavery.

Through interviews with family members, genealogical research, and visits to slave plantations, Alston grapples with the legacy of slavery and the ways in which it still impacts his family today. He also looks at the ways in which white Americans have struggled to come to terms with their role in slavery and the ongoing fight for racial justice.

As Alston delves deeper into his family's history, he is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths. He learns about his ancestors' brutal treatment of their slaves, and the economic benefits that they gained from their labor. He also discovers that his great-great-grandfather was a founder of something called the "Lost Cause" movement – a movement that sought to romanticize the Confederacy and downplay the horrors of slavery.

Throughout the film, Alston grapples with his own identity as a white southerner. He admits that it's hard to confront the truth about his family's past, but that he believes it's necessary in order to move forward. He also interviews a number of prominent historians and activists who shed light on the broader historical context of his family's story.

Ultimately, "Family Name" is an exploration of the ways in which the past continues to shape the present. It's a deeply personal film that asks important questions about race, identity, and our shared history. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a thought-provoking documentary, this episode of POV is worth checking out.