BLACK AND JEWISH AMERICA airs Sundays at 9PM beginning February 15
This month, KLCS Public Media premieres a seminal documentary series, Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History, hosted by the preeminent scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In the grand, often painful narrative of the American experiment, few relationships are as historically resonant, creatively prolific, and politically complex as that between Black and Jewish Americans – forged in shared struggle, tested by division, and representing a uniquely American experience. This alliance has profoundly shaped the nation’s culture and conscience. Dr. Gates masterfully chronicles this complex bond with his signature depth and clarity, guiding viewers through a four-part journey that is both unflinching and ultimately hopeful.
The series begins by tracing fundamentally different starting points, yet reveals how entrenched racism and rising antisemitism of the early 20th century drew these communities into a powerful, pragmatic civic partnership. This foundation set the stage for Episode 2, which spotlights the collaborations that reshaped American popular culture itself. From the jazz clubs and Broadway stages to Hollywood studios, Black and Jewish artists forged a creative synergy that defined music and film. The relationship between these communities deepened after World War II, when the atrocities of the Holocaust came to light, reinforcing a sense of common struggle as both communities grappled with the devastating consequences of hatred and intolerance.
The zenith of this political partnership, the civil rights era’s “Grand Alliance,” forms the heart of Episode 3. Here, Gates examines the transformative interracial coalition that fought to dismantle Jim Crow, a period often described as the relationship’s “golden age.” Yet, the series does not shy from the fractures. It traces the imbalances and diverging paths that quickly tested this solidarity as each group turned inward, prioritizing distinct struggles in an increasingly fragmented America. Episode 4 brings the story into the modern era, examining the shifting dynamics from the 1970s onward—political gains, global tensions, and the alarming resurgence of hate crimes that threaten both communities today.
Through conversations with dozens of voices, including Billy Crystal, Tony Kushner, Anna Deavere Smith, Al Sharpton, and David Remnick, Gates weaves a tapestry defined by powerful solidarity and painful division. “Black and Jewish in America” offers more than history; it provides an essential lesson in the difficult, necessary work of coalition-building. At a moment of profound social fragmentation, this series is a compelling reminder of the hope and enduring promise of cross-cultural solidarity against the persistent threats of injustice. It is not merely a look back, but a crucial guidepost for the path forward.
