PBS American Portrait

In the third episode of PBS American Portrait, people across America film themselves as they try to preserve or change traditions in their lives and communities. From struggles to protect culture to eliminating toxic legacies, it’s an intimate look at the practices we’ve inherited and the ones we’ll pass on.

Dwight is of Gullah heritage, descendants of West African enslaved people who have preserved their culture along the southeastern coastal United States. But with property taxes increasing due to predatory development and intensifying gentrification, Dwight must come up with the money to pay his tax bill or his family's ancestral land will be sold at county tax auction.

The store Patrick manages in Chinatown is struggling with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Patrick has ideas for reinvigorating the area and driving more business.

For years Yolonda has been pushing to end the tradition of using her culture as sports team mascots. Now in 2020, with major league teams dropping offensive team names, a Texas high school student seeks Yolonda's support and guidance to remove his school's offensive mascot.

Frustrated by the race and class bias within her school's Greek life system, Zena shares her experiences and meets with other students to build momentum in their efforts to abolish Greek life on campus.

People around the country share stories of preserving their faith-based traditions.

People around the country share how sports traditions have played a role in their lives.

Everyday people share self-shot stories about their jobs and careers as they navigate the changes they’re experiencing and the goals they’re working towards. From teachers to truck drivers, they explore what it really means to work in America today.

From Florida to Hawaii, educators around the country explain what teaching means to them.

A dairy farmer shares an inside look at her day-to-day life and expenses and explains why she chose the profession.

In New Orleans, sanitation workers, also known as Hoppers, go on strike for better wages. After three months, D’Artanian expresses how the strike is affecting his life.

Teaching has always been Jessica’s passion. But when her school district lays off 200 teachers, Jessica finds herself without a job amidst the COVID pandemic.