Skip to Main Content

Who Can Become American? | The History of White People in America, Ep 6

Special | 5m 30sVideo has Closed Captions

Catchy, musical short chronicles the 175-year-long arbitrary system of race in America.

This catchy, musical short chronicles the arbitrary system of race in the United States, which kept people who were not white in an ongoing battle of identity. See how immigrants had to play "race roulette" with a biased court system due to the Alien Naturalization Act of 1790, which set the standard for citizenship in America and remained law for 175 years.

12/18/2024 | Expires 10/07/2029

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Who Can Become American? | The History of White People in America, Ep 6

Special | 5m 30sVideo has Closed Captions

This catchy, musical short chronicles the arbitrary system of race in the United States, which kept people who were not white in an ongoing battle of identity. See how immigrants had to play "race roulette" with a biased court system due to the Alien Naturalization Act of 1790, which set the standard for citizenship in America and remained law for 175 years.

12/18/2024 | Expires 10/07/2029

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

How to Watch Independent Lens

Independent Lens is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.

Sci-Fi's Take on Real Space Isolation
Blog

Sci-Fi's Take on Real Space Isolation

From 2001: A Space Odyssey to Moon, Project Hail Mary and Star Trek's holodeck, explore the psychological challenges of astronaut loneliness found in sci-fi, drawing parallels to real-life ISS experiences and proposing solutions like virtual reality companionship and induced hibernation.

Support for PBS provided by:

or

By creating an account, you acknowledge that PBS may share your information with our member stations and our respective service providers, and that you have read and understand the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Discover More from PBS

Watch Without Nebraska Public Media Passport

  • Watch new specials and currently airing PBS shows
  • Enjoy Live TV from Nebraska Public Media

Watch MORE with Nebraska Public Media Passport

Donate $5 per month or $60 per year and:

  • Get extended access to past seasons of PBS shows
  • Stream early releases of new series
  • Binge watch your favorite PBS shows

Your donation goes to your local station!

Get Passport

Are you sure you want to remove null from My List?