Watch Latino Americans

Latino Americans is a PBS documentary series that premiered in 2013. The show explores the experience of Latinos in the United States, from the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century to the present day. The series is hosted by a team of experts in Latino studies, including Maurice Ripke, Maria Cristina Garcia, and Maria De Los Angeles Torres.

Over the course of six one-hour episodes, Latino Americans delves into the stories of individuals and communities who have shaped the Latino experience in America. The series covers a wide range of topics, including immigration, labor, politics, culture, and identity. Each episode features interviews with scholars, activists, and everyday people, as well as archival footage, photographs, and artwork.

The first episode of the series, "Foreigners in Their Own Land," examines the arrival of the Spanish in what is now the United States and the impact that colonization had on the native peoples of the Americas. The episode also traces the roots of the Latino community in the United States to the colonial era, when Spanish settlers and their African slaves first arrived in what is now New Mexico and Florida.

The second episode, "Empire of Dreams," explores the impact of the Mexican-American War on the Latino community in the mid-19th century. The episode also examines the role of Mexican-Americans in the struggle for civil rights and the fight against Jim Crow laws.

The third episode, "War and Peace," focuses on the experience of Latinos in World War II, as well as the post-war period. The episode explores the challenges faced by Latino veterans as they sought to reintegrate into American society, as well as the rise of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s.

The fourth episode, "The New Latinos," tells the story of the post-1965 wave of Latino immigration that transformed the United States. The episode looks at the reasons why so many people from Latin America came to the United States in search of a better life, as well as the challenges they faced in adapting to their new home.

The fifth episode, "Prejudice and Pride," focuses on the struggle for civil rights within the Latino community itself. The episode explores issues such as class, gender, and sexuality, and the ways in which they intersect with Latino identity.

The final episode, "Peril and Promise," looks at the current state of the Latino community in the United States, including the challenges they face in areas such as education, immigration, and voting rights. The episode also celebrates the contributions that Latinos have made to American culture and society, and looks to the future with hope and optimism.

Throughout the series, Maurice Ripke, Maria Cristina Garcia, and Maria De Los Angeles Torres provide thoughtful and insightful commentary on the Latino experience in the United States. Their expertise in Latino studies adds depth and nuance to the stories told in the series, and helps to convey the richness and complexity of the Latino experience in America. Overall, Latino Americans is a fascinating and illuminating journey through the history and culture of one of the most important and vibrant communities in the United States.

Latino Americans is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between September 17, 2013 and on PBS