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"Asian Americans," A Film Series

Labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Larry Itliong

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, PBS and the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) will  debut "Asian Americans," the most ambitious television chronicle of the Asian American story in the United States. It premieres on PBS during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on May 11 and 12, 2020. "Asian Americans" is a production of WETA Washington, D.C. and CAAM for PBS, in association with the Independent Television Service (ITVS), Flash Cuts, and Tajima-Peña Productions. It is a five-part history series that explores the evolving identity, contributions, and challenges experienced by Asian Americans.





"Asian Americans" delivers a bold, new perspective on the Asian American experience that will surprise, move, and inspire audiences. The conventional view of Asian Americans has been one of a small minority, on the sidelines of America’s story. The five-part documentary series from PBS turns that perception on its head.

“Asian Americans” traces 150 years of immigration, race relations, cultural innovation and the search for American identity. It is a timely, clear-eyed look at the role that Asian Americans have played in defining who we are as a nation. As the United States is rapidly becoming more diverse, but also more divided, how do we move forward together as a nation? Through the lens of the country’s fastest-growing population, “Asian Americans” illuminates the way one group of Americans, who were long excluded and considered outsiders, have pursued two visions of the American Dream: one of opportunities and a better life, but also the pursuit of ideals of equality and a more perfect union. Their stories are a celebration of the grit and resilience of one group that reflects the experience of all Americans.

Learn more about the series here. Use the hashtag #AsianAmPBS on social media to share your thoughts. Access the social media toolkit for sample posts.

Local Partnerships with CAAM and PBS

CAAM and PBS are working with local PBS stations on digital activities for “Asian Americans.” They are working across the country and are looking for local partners in the following cities:

• Anchorage, Alaska
• Eureka, California
• Redding, California
• New Mexico, New Mexico
• Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
• Erie, Pennsylvania

Want to learn more about how to partner with CAAM? Email Donald Young, CAAM Director of Programs, at don@caamedia.org. Funding opportunities are available to support your coordination and outreach.

Join a Digital Town Hall: Asian Americans In the Time of COVID-19

In connection with the upcoming series, CAAM, WETA, and Asian American community leaders will host a digital town hall exploring how lessons from Asian American history can help us understand the experience of Asian Americans in the time of COVID-19.

Thursday, April 30, 2020 
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM HT
  • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PT
  • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM MT
  • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CT
  • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
Facebook Live on facebook.com/caamedia

Panelists include: Writer Viet Thanh Nguyen, Journalist Amna Nawaz, Filmmaker Renee Tajima-Pena, Journalist and Activist Helen Zia, and Comedian Hari Kondabolu.

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