The NAACP and Its Architects

American Experience

History Series / 15 Seasons

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Watch Latest: S37 E1

1h 52m / TV-14

Student Freedom Ride Day 1: Alicia Skeeter

1m 43s

Alicia Skeeter talks about Day 1 of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride, and her reaction to Diane Nash's statement that lying is institutionalized. "As human beings, we have a right to truth," Skeeter says.

Day 1: May Mgbolu

1m 26s

May Mgbolu speaks about the first day of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride: "I hope that this experience will allow me to bring back personal stories, history and inspiration back to my community in Arizona."

Day 1: Kaitlyn Whiteside

1m 7s

Kaitlyn Whiteside talks about Day 1 of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. "One of the things that most struck me today was the absolute passion and unique experience that the other students are bringing to the table."

Day 1: Carla Orendorff

2m 34s

Carla Orendorff reflects on Day 1 of the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. Diane Nash's comments on creative citizenship struck her: "I think that we need to find more innovative ways to participate in our society."

Meet Ryan Price

2m 59s

A profile of Ryan Price, one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 ride. "There was an article recently that said I broke down stereotypes when I was elected president of my fraternity," says Ryan. "But to me... it was my 109 fraternity brothers who broke down stereotypes when they elected me, just because I'm me and it has nothing to do with my sexual orientation."

Meet Peter Davis

1m 59s

A profile of Peter Davis, one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. "Every generation - the spirit of activism, the spirit of the more perfect union, and fighting for justice - needs to be reborn. It's not transmitted from every generation to the next one," says Peter. "Each generation needs to find inspiration to rekindle that spirit."

Meet Robert Sgrignoli

1m 37s

"Throughout my entire life, I haven't really been exposed to that much of civil rights history, and I think that a lot of college students today think we don't have power to make a change or a drastic change in society, but we really do," says Rob Sgrignoli, one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride from May 6-16.

Meet Tariq Meyers

2m 59s

A profile of Tariq Meyers, one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride from May 6-16. "I've always been told, from a young age, that it's my job to leave the world different than the way I came," Tariq says.

Meet Zilong Wang

2m 59s

A profile of Zilong Wang, one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride in May 2011. "China is going through many of the similar periods as America has gone through 50 years ago," Zilong says. "There's a lot to be learned from America's mistake and its success."

Meet Liliana Astiz

2m 33s

A profile of Liliana Astiz, one of the 40 student freedom riders participating in the 2011 Student Freedom Ride. "The more you take control of what your life is, and the more you take control of what your future becomes," Lily says, "the more you begin to see how much power you really do have."

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