Films include the five-part ASIAN AMERICANS, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “The Chinese Exclusion Act” and AMERICAN MASTERS “Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir"
Arlington, VA; March 24, 2021— At a time of ongoing violence and hateful rhetoric against Asian Americans, PBS stands with the Asian American community. PBS has a longstanding commitment to programs that deepen awareness, foster dialogue and illuminate the many ways in which diversity makes our country stronger. In addition to airing programs from our archives, we will continue to share stories that bring new light to the Asian American experience.
“PBS stands in solidarity with the Asian American community, including our colleagues across the public television system who are hurting,” said Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS. “Over the coming weeks, we will present programs that honor the extraordinary contributions of Asian Americans, and we will continue to use our national platform and community presence to help create a future that is free of intolerance, racism and hate.”
On Saturday, March 27, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. ET, PBS will rebroadcast AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “The Chinese Exclusion Act,” which examines the origin, history and impact of the law that made it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals already here to ever become U.S. citizens.
On Monday, April 12, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET, PBS will premiere INDEPENDENT LENS "Down a Dark Stairwell," a film that examines the experiences of two marginalized communities thrust into an uneven criminal justice system together.
To support parents and educators, PBS LearningMedia offers more than 30 lesson plans based on the ASIAN AMERICANSseries. Teachers may utilize these free lesson plans to explore the ways that Asian Americans have shaped our nation's history.
PBS has also curated a collection on PBS.org, with titles provided in association with the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). In addition, PBS has made several Asian American and Pacific Islander-focused programs available for local broadcast and streaming on the PBS Video app, such as:
- ASIAN AMERICANS: A five-part film series that casts a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played in shaping the nation’s story.
- AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “The Chinese Exclusion Act”: This film examines the 1882 law that made it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals to become U.S. citizens.
- AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “Mr. Tornado”: Learn about the extraordinary contributions of meteorologist Tetsuya Theodore “Ted” Fujita.
- INDEPENDENT LENS “Out of State”: An inside look at the lives of two native Hawaiians sent to a private prison in the Arizona desert.
- NORMAN MINETA AND HIS LEGACY: AN AMERICAN STORY: Meet the statesman who served as cabinet secretary for Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush.
- POV “My Love, Don’t Cross That River”: Follow the love story of 89-year-old Kang Gye-Yeol and 98-year-old Jo Byeong-Man, who have been together for 76 years.
- THE REGISTRY: This film breaks open the hidden history of the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence Service (MIS) during World War II.
- THE STORY OF CHINA: A thrilling and moving epic of the world’s oldest continuous state with the landscapes, peoples and stories that made today’s China.
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, PBS will also encore documentaries and premiere new films that share the rich history and modern-day experience of Asian Americans in the U.S. (Please check local listings.)
On Saturdays, May 1-29, 10:00–11:00 p.m. ET, PBS will rebroadcast the five-part ASIAN AMERICANS. The sweeping series explores the impact of Asian Americans on the country’s past, present and future, told through individual lives and personal histories.
On Monday, May 3, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET, AMERICAN MASTERS “Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir” will provide an intimate portrait of the groundbreaking author that interweaves archival imagery, including home movies and personal photographs, animation and original interviews to tell the inspiring story of Tan’s life and career.
On Monday, May 24, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET, INDEPENDENT LENS “The Donut King" tells the story of Ted Ngoy, who fled Cambodia for the United States and launched a multimillion-dollar fried pastry empire.
Additionally, PBS news and public affairs series PBS NEWSHOUR, WASHINGTON WEEK and FRONTLINE will continue to devote significant coverage to deepening understanding around hate and racism in America. Educator tools are also available from PBS NEWSHOUR on PBS LearningMedia.
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CONTACT:
Michaé Godwin, mmgodwin@pbs.org
Eleanor Hawkins, emhawkins@pbs.org