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Du Bois used visualized data to confront racism at the 1900 Paris Exposition

Season 40 Episode 4 | 2m 25s

At a 1900 world's fair in Paris, W.E.B. Du Bois curated exhibits using photos, charts, and census data to showcase Black American progress since emancipation. His work directly challenged racist narratives, reframing Black life through visual storytelling. The exhibit won international praise and a gold medal.

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Anita and Jay Kaufman, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The Charina Endowment Fund, The Marc Haas Foundation and public television viewers.
Extras
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Explore the life and legacy of notable Black scholar and civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois.
Reconstruction saw Black progress, then backlash erased gains after brief equality.
How Du Bois used "The Crisis" and NAACP efforts to expose racism and celebrate Black achievement.
Born in 1868, W.E.B. Du Bois rose from hardship to academic excellence.
Trumpeter Lani B. Supreme carries forward a musical legacy that transcends generations.
Musician Hannah Mayree organizes workshops and performances celebrating the banjo's Black history.
Actor John Goodman talks about his work on the film, "The Big Lebowski."
Follow Sudanese musician and ethnomusicologist Alsarah as she leads Alsarah and the Nubatones.
Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.