America ReFramed

Watch America ReFramed

  • 2012
  • 12 Seasons
  • 7.4  (37)

America ReFramed is a documentary series that aired on WORLD TV in 2012. The show was hosted by journalist Natasha Del Toro, who also served as executive producer. The program identified itself as a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their stories that reframed issues and perspectives in unexpected ways.

Each hour-long episode examined a different topic or issue affecting America, such as immigration, the LGBTQ+ community, the criminal justice system, and environmentalism. The show pulled together a diverse range of voices and perspectives to offer nuanced and thought-provoking explorations of each topic.

One of the strengths of the program was its focus on personal stories. Rather than serving as a platform for experts or talking heads, America ReFramed told the stories of individuals who were affected by the issues at hand. This approach gave viewers a deeper understanding of the issues by letting them see how they played out in people's real lives.

For example, one episode titled "Trust" told the story of a black police officer in New Jersey who was conflicted about his role as a law enforcement officer in a system that often discriminated against people of color. The episode also highlighted the experiences of community members and activists who were working to reform the police department. By hearing from people who were directly affected by policing policies, viewers gained a more nuanced understanding of the issue that could not be achieved through news headlines or policy debates alone.

Another strength of America ReFramed was its attention to diversity. The show featured stories from a range of communities and perspectives across the United States. For example, an episode called "Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese" told the story of a group of Chinese immigrants who settled in the Mississippi Delta in the early 20th century. These immigrants faced discrimination and violence from the white community but formed their own tight-knit community that persevered through hard times. This episode and others like it emphasized the importance of telling stories from lesser-known communities and highlighting their contributions to American society.

Aside from its focus on personal stories and diversity, America ReFramed also had a distinct aesthetic. The show's intro featured a graphic novel style animation that set it apart from other documentaries. Each episode was also accompanied by original music that was carefully chosen to reflect the tone and mood of the content. These small touches gave the show a cohesive and distinct feel that made it stand out from other documentary series.

Overall, America ReFramed was a compelling and thought-provoking documentary series that tackled important issues through personal stories and diverse perspectives. With Natasha Del Toro as its host and a commitment to independent filmmaking, the show was a valuable addition to the landscape of documentary television.

America ReFramed is a series that ran for 12 seasons (149 episodes) between September 9, 2012 and on WORLD TV

America ReFramed
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Seasons
Como Vivimos (How We Live)
6. Como Vivimos (How We Live)
June 13, 2024
In California's Central Valley, Mexican-American youth living in farmworker family housing are missing at least three months of school each year due to an annual, state-mandated displacement. COMO VIVIMOS (HOW WE LIVE) spends a year following the rhythms, resilience, and aspirations of such students and their families. California's migrant family housing centers are one of few affordable housing options available to farmworking families. But these housing centers are only available for residence during the several months of the growing season. Come winter, families are required to completely vacate their homes and move at least 50 miles away for at least three months. Unable to afford market rates, many families pull their children from school and move out of state or to Mexico for the off-season, interrupting children's schooling until families can return to live in the centers in the spring. Many of the residents in these centers are California-born, many the grandchildren of Bracero farmworkers. Yet, despite decades of contributions to California's culture and economy, these annual cycles of moving deprive families of a complete education and the economic mobility promised by it.
In Search of Bengali Harlem
5. In Search of Bengali Harlem
May 9, 2024
As a teen, Alaudin Ullah was swept up by the energy of hip-hop and rebelled against his Bangladeshi roots. Now a playwright contending with post-9/11 Hollywood's Islamophobia, he sets out to tell his parents' stories. IN SEARCH OF BENGALI HARLEM tracks his quest from mid-20th-century Harlem to Bangladesh, unveiling intertwined histories of South Asian Muslims, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans.
Hundreds of Thousands
4. Hundreds of Thousands
April 18, 2024
In HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, a family reeling from the unjust incarceration of an ailing mentally ill loved one, calls on their faith and the strength of community to right a systemic wrong. Music, love and creativity are used to permeate the isolation of a solitary confinement cell, and a public performance on prison grounds is used to challenge the state to do better.
What These Walls Won't Hold
3. What These Walls Won't Hold
April 11, 2024
Transcending the grim realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adamu Chan's WHAT THESE WALLS WON'T HOLD paints a portrait of resilience and hope blossoming within San Quentin State Prison. Chan, formerly incarcerated himself, offers an insider's view delving into his own journey towards freedom, while amplifying the voices of his community and their loved ones on both sides of the prison walls.
A Woman on the Outside
2. A Woman on the Outside
March 28, 2024
After watching nearly every man in her life disappear into prison, Kristal Bush channels her struggle into reuniting other Philadelphia families divided by incarceration. But when her father and brother come home after decades behind bars, she confronts the greatest challenge yet - can she unite her own family without losing herself?
The Cost of Inheritance
1. The Cost of Inheritance
January 8, 2024
THE COST OF INHERITANCE, an America ReFramed special, is an hour-long documentary that explores the complex issue of reparations in the United States using a thoughtful approach to history, historical injustices, systemic inequities, and the critical dialogue on racial conciliation. Through personal narratives, community inquiries, and scholarly insights, it aims to inspire understanding of the scope and rationale of the reparations debate.
Description
Where to Watch America ReFramed
America ReFramed is available for streaming on the WORLD TV website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch America ReFramed on demand at and PBS.
  • Premiere Date
    September 9, 2012
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (37)