Independent Lens

Charley Patton, Grandfather of Delta Blues | RUMBLE

Charley Patton was the "grandfather of Delta blues," a true legend--and part-Native American. He was a profound influence on blues musicians over the years as well as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jack White, Bonnie Raitt, and many others. You can hear the Native music influence in his sound. Learn more about him in this clip from RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World.

Charley Patton, Grandfather of Delta Blues | RUMBLE

2m 28s

  • Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen

    S26 E2 - 1h 25m

    Riddled with survivor's guilt after his unit lost 17 men during "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan, Marine veteran Anthony Marquez makes it his mission to reconnect with the Gold Star families of the fallen. By carving and hand-delivering a battlefield cross for each of the families affected by loss, Anthony finds the path to heal himself.

  • All God's Children | The History of White People in America, Episode 5: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    All God's Children | The History of White People in America, Episode 5

    4m 15s

    In this moving, animated short, poet Ashley M. Jones offers a lyrical historical account of Ann Williams, an enslaved Black woman who won her freedom in the 1830s. When faced with the torturous fate of being separated from her family and sold into Southern slavery, Williams took a literal leap of faith to avoid the dreadful mandate.

  • The Diary of Afong Moy | The History of White People in America, Episode 4: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Diary of Afong Moy | The History of White People in America, Episode 4

    4m 52s

    Acclaimed poet Sally Wen Mao narrates the animated history of Afong Moy, America’s first recorded Chinese woman. She was brought to America by merchants and was exhibited as a circus oddity in 1830s New York City. She was eventually managed and exploited by circus showman P.T. Barnum as a sideshow attraction.

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.