Indie Films

Local, USA

Culled from public television stations and independent producers from across the country, LOCAL, USA is a half-hour series featuring fascinating stories of diverse people, curated around a single theme.

Chinatown Auxiliary

27m 4s

For decades, Chinese residents have patrolled Manhattan's Chinatown as NYPD volunteer police to protect the few blocks they call home while finding belonging in a foreign, unwelcoming country. From the savage tribulation in the '70s to “Asian Hate” during the pandemic, these stories remind us of the hope the U.S. represented to the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to belong.

Episodes

  • Chinatown Auxiliary: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Chinatown Auxiliary

    S8 E9 - 27m 4s

    For decades, Chinese residents have patrolled Manhattan's Chinatown as NYPD volunteer police to protect the few blocks they call home while finding belonging in a foreign, unwelcoming country. From the savage tribulation in the '70s to “Asian Hate” during the pandemic, these stories remind us of the hope the U.S. represented to the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to belong.

  • Fire Tender: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fire Tender

    S8 E7 - 27m 41s

    Yurok people have been putting fire on the land since time immemorial...but this practice has been disrupted by California settlers. Catastrophic fires in the West, however, has policymakers rethinking their commitment to fire suppression. FIRE TENDER shares the work of Margo Robbins, a Yurok knowledge keeper, seeking to return practices to Yurok territory, and to restore the land and its people.

  • Minnesota's Alt-Meat Revolution: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Minnesota's Alt-Meat Revolution

    S8 E6 - 25m 23s

    As the demand for plant-based alternatives to meat grows, so does the demand for new methods of farming and food production. In Dawson, MN, “alt-meat” is not new - soybean processing dates back to the '50s. Now, PURIS, one of the largest manufacturers of pea protein, has moved in to revolutionize the agricultural system. What impact will it have on the town's residents and surrounding communities?

  • HBCU Week: Tradition and Competition: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HBCU Week: Tradition and Competition

    S8 E5 - 16m 57s

    HBCU Week: TRADITION AND COMPETITION dives into HBCU football culture. Witness the rivalry of Hampton & Howard, a testament to tradition and spirit, and appreciate the intensity of an NC A&T vs. NC Central game, a match steeped in proximity and pride. The episode showcases the blend of camaraderie and competition that defines HBCU sports, highlighting their impact on African American communities.

  • HBCU Week: Beyond the Field: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HBCU Week: Beyond the Field

    S8 E4 - 26m 3s

    HBCU Week: BEYOND THE FIELD takes you inside the heart of HBCUs. Experience the CIAA in Maryland, a cornerstone of Black athletics history, and feel the electrifying atmosphere of Louisiana's Bayou Classic - an annual showdown between Grambling State and Southern University. The episode offers a unique look beyond sports, highlighting the culture, history, and community spirit that define HBCUs.

  • FIRSTHAND: Segregation: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    FIRSTHAND: Segregation

    S8 E3 - 24m 33s

    In Chicago, segregation has a profound impact. From disparities in housing, education and healthcare to economic inequality, FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION illustrates the high cost of division, not just in dollars, but in lives lost and unrealized potential. Through stories, witness the power of individuals to effect positive change as residents strive for a more integrated and equitable community.

  • In the Bubble with Jaime: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    In the Bubble with Jaime

    S8 E2 - 39m 23s

    In South Carolina, African American candidate Jaime Harrison faces incumbent Lindsey Graham for U.S. Senate. As COVID-19 disrupts, Harrison confronts not only the pandemic but deep-rooted racial prejudice. But, in a state with a significant African American population, his campaign against Graham becomes a symbol of hope in a time of crisis, intertwining politics, and race and health challenges.

Extras + Features

  • Chinatown Auxiliary | Protecting the Community: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Chinatown Auxiliary | Protecting the Community

    S8 E9 - 47s

    The auxiliary police of New York City's Chinatown is made up of Chinese seniors who volunteer their time to patrol the neighborhood. Auxiliary Chiu shares his own story as to why he joined and the need for him and his fellow members to keep connecting with the community - to protect and serve the Asian and Asian American residents from hate, especially in the time of the pandemic.

  • Chinatown Auxiliary | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Chinatown Auxiliary | Preview

    S8 E9 - 30s

    For decades, Chinese residents have patrolled Manhattan's Chinatown as NYPD volunteer police to protect the few blocks they call home while finding belonging in a foreign, unwelcoming country. From the savage tribulation in the '70s to “Asian Hate” during the pandemic, these stories remind us of the hope the U.S. represented to the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to belong.

  • Chinatown Auxiliary | New York City's Chinatown: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Chinatown Auxiliary | New York City's Chinatown

    S8 E9 - 1m

    In New York City's Chinatown, senior residents have weathered change in their Manhattan neighborhood. These immigrants, and members of the auxiliary police, have seen waves of crime and prosperity over the years that put them and their fellow neighbors at risk. But police presence during that time also caused unease as they did not have a relationship of trust with law enforcement.

  • Chinatown Auxiliary | Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Chinatown Auxiliary | Trailer

    S8 E9 - 1m 14s

    For decades, Chinese residents have patrolled Manhattan's Chinatown as NYPD volunteer police to protect the few blocks they call home while finding belonging in a foreign, unwelcoming country. From the savage tribulation in the '70s to “Asian Hate” during the pandemic, these stories remind us of the hope the U.S. represented to the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to belong.

  • Against the Current: Life on the Eastern Shore | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Against the Current: Life on the Eastern Shore | Preview

    S8 E8 - 30s

    AGAINST THE CURRENT provides a powerful look at how residents of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, like many coastal towns, are subject to rising sea waters and the challenges it has on their lives and livelihood. Through resilience and perseverance, they learn to co-exist and celebrate their rural home. How can this community shed light on conversations happening around these issues of climate change?

  • Against the Current: Life on the Eastern Shore | Barrier Islands: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Against the Current: Life on the Eastern Shore | Barrier Islands

    S8 E8 - 50s

    The barrier islands of Virginia's Eastern Shore are more than just places to visit - they have helped create the dynamic environments of land and water around them. But with rising sea levels, the islands are vulnerable to the tides that are reshaping them and the community nearby.

  • Against the Current: Life on the Eastern Shore | Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Against the Current: Life on the Eastern Shore | Trailer

    S8 E8 - 1m

    AGAINST THE CURRENT provides a powerful look at how residents of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, like many coastal towns, are subject to rising sea waters and the challenges it has on their lives and livelihood. Through resilience and perseverance, they learn to co-exist and celebrate their rural home. How can this community shed light on conversations happening around these issues of climate change?

  • Fire Tender | Restorative Fire: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fire Tender | Restorative Fire

    S8 E7 - 1m 44s

    In the U.S., fire is seen as destructive. But for Native tribes like the Yurok, it is essential to life. Margo Robbins explains how reclaiming fire and bringing it back to the land is a method of fire suppression known as controlled burning and also reignites the growth of plants that are used to create everyday items like baskets.

  • Fire Tender | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fire Tender | Preview

    S8 E7 - 30s

    Yurok people have been putting fire on the land since time immemorial...but this practice has been disrupted by California settlers. Catastrophic fires in the West, however, has policymakers rethinking their commitment to fire suppression. FIRE TENDER shares the work of Margo Robbins, a Yurok knowledge keeper, seeking to return practices to Yurok territory, and to restore the land and its people.

  • Fire Tender | Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fire Tender | Trailer

    S8 E7 - 1m 10s

    Yurok people have been putting fire on the land since time immemorial...but this practice has been disrupted by California settlers. Catastrophic fires in the West, however, has policymakers rethinking their commitment to fire suppression. FIRE TENDER shares the work of Margo Robbins, a Yurok knowledge keeper, seeking to return practices to Yurok territory, and to restore the land and its people.

  • Fire Tender | The Native Practice of Controlled Burns: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fire Tender | The Native Practice of Controlled Burns

    S8 E7 - 1m

    The Weeks Act of 1911 was signed into law for the creation of national forests, protecting millions of acres of land and water. The Act set up a foundation for fighting forest fires but this meant Native tribes could no longer put fire to land to prevent wildfires and ensure plant growth. Now, the federal government is turning to people like Margo Robbins and their knowledge of controlled burns.

  • Minnesota's Alt-Meat Revolution | Pea Protein: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Minnesota's Alt-Meat Revolution | Pea Protein

    S8 E6 - 47s

    Why is the yellow split pea and its protein so small and mighty? Ask PURIS. The manufacturer behind pea protein powder discovered that its ingredient has many positives including being a complete source of protein, being allergen-free, and being vegan. Plant manager Matt Karels walks us, and host and producer Amanda Anderson, through the process and the diet upsides.

Schedule

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