Watch Asian Americans

Asian Americans is a five-part documentary series on Amazon Prime Video that explores the experiences of Asian Americans and their contributions to United States history. The show features interviews with prominent figures in the Asian American community, including politicians, activists, scholars, and entertainers.

The series covers a wide range of topics, from the history of Asian immigration to the U.S. and the discrimination and exclusion they faced, to the role of Asian Americans in the Civil Rights movement, to the current state of Asian American representation in the media and entertainment industry.

The first episode, "Breaking Ground," provides a comprehensive overview of the history of Asian immigration to the U.S. from the mid-19th century to the present day. It covers the early days of Chinese immigrants on the west coast, the building of the transcontinental railroad, and the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the first major anti-immigration law in American history that targeted a specific racial group. The episode also features segments on the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the fight for Asian American civil rights during the 1960s and 70s, and the rise of the model minority myth in the 1980s.

The second episode, "A Question of Loyalty," focuses on the challenges faced by Asian Americans during World War II, including the internment of Japanese Americans, the forced repatriation of Japanese-Peruvians, and the experiences of Asian American soldiers on the front lines. The episode features interviews with survivors of internment camps, as well as historians and experts on the topic.

The third episode, "Good Americans," covers the post-World War II era, including the influx of Korean and Vietnamese immigrants, the role of Asian Americans in the Civil Rights movement, and the intersection of race and identity in Hollywood. The episode also features interviews with activists, including Yuri Kochiyama and George Takei, and a segment on the fight for justice for Vincent Chin, a Chinese American who was brutally murdered in 1982.

The fourth episode, "Generation Rising," focuses on the experiences of Asian American youth, including their struggles with identity and belonging, the role of education and mentorship in their lives, and the challenges they face in pursuing their dreams. The episode features interviews with Asian American activists, such as Helen Zia, as well as artists and writers, such as Viet Thanh Nguyen and Sandra Oh.

The fifth and final episode, "Breaking Through," explores the current state of Asian American representation in the media and entertainment industry, as well as the rise of Asian Americans in politics and activism. The episode features interviews with actors and filmmakers such as Daniel Dae Kim, Randall Park, and Lulu Wang, as well as activists such as Grace Lee Boggs and Ai-jen Poo.

Overall, Asian Americans is a well-researched and informative series that sheds light on a subject that has long been overlooked in American history. The show serves as a reminder of the resilience and contributions of Asian Americans, and the ongoing struggle for equality and representation in American society.

Asian Americans is a series that ran for 1 seasons (5 episodes) between May 11, 2020 and on Amazon Addon