Asian American Documentary

Asian Americans | PBS

PBS's new five-part documentary on the history of Asians in the United States. Each episode focuses on a particular time in Asian American history, also focusing on one main family each episode. This format is more engaging for the reader, but it also leaves out the stories of so many others.

Other than the limitations of the format, the documentary itself was very intriguing. It focused on the hardships of those who traveled to US and how that has affected Asian Americans today. The establishment of the model minority stereotype is explained through the aftermath of the Chinese Exclusion Act. There was also a discussion about nationalism and the choice in loyalty towards either your native country or your new adopted country. 

The documentary itself is mostly heartbreaking, displaying the hardships that were faced. It was sad, and almost defeating, but I think if they had made this a lighthearted documentary, then it would defeat the whole point of the documentary. 

Comments

  1. AmyMarch 21, 2021 at 10:13 PM

    This was an incredibly well made documentary but it would have been much more powerful, I think if they would have been given the full twelve hours that they wanted to make it rather than just five one hour episodes.

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