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Independent Lens
The Big Payback
Season 24
Episode 5
An Evanston, Illinois rookie alderwoman led the passage of the first tax-funded reparations bill for Black Americans. While she and her community struggle with the burden to make restitution for its citizens, a national racial crisis engulfs the country. Will the debt ever be addressed, or is it too late for a reparations movement to finally get the big payback?
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55:37
A crew of 12 Mexican tree planters travel the United States regrowing America’s forests.

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1:24:54
Midwestern families deal with unseen mental health issues affecting farmers in America.

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1:24:13
Women and LGBTQ+ journalists launch startup The 19th* to buck a broken news media system.

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55:23
A nun with stage IV cancer teaches others that death doesn’t have to be the end.

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1:23:30
A public housing community in Miami becomes ground zero for climate gentrification.

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1:23:49
In Palm Springs, a Black neighborhood fights to remove a divisive wall of trees.

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54:42
As the trial concludes, the people of Victoria, Texas, grapple with shocking revelations.

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54:12
The town of Victoria’s support for the Muslim community wanes as rebuilding efforts stall.

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54:41
A Texas town is thrown into the national spotlight when a local mosque erupts in flames.

55:43
Muslim chaplains advocate for equality in the military.

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1:25:42
A collaboration changes the course of forensic science and international human rights.

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1:25:23
Conservative beliefs have defined them. Now they’re championing their LGBTQ+ children.