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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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1:25:18
Three formerly incarcerated mothers fight to rebuild their lives outside of prison.

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1:22:50
A provocative look at what it means to feel safe in an American classroom.

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1:25:19
An activist detective searches for missing migrants in rural South Texas.
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1:25:48
Inside the family-run newspaper keeping local journalism alive.

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54:25
When homosexuality was considered an illness to be “cured," LGBTQ activists fought back.

55:45
The murder of a police sergeant tests the D.A.’s resolve to never seek the death penalty.

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1:35:39
Meet the indomitable Dolores Huerta, who led the fight for racial and labor justice.

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55:02
Part Two of The Graduates

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51:01
Primera parte de Los Graduados

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55:32
Part One of The Graduates

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54:08
The rich culinary tradition of soul food and its relevance to black cultural identity.