PBS’s Great Migrations: A People on the Move continues this Tuesday with “Streets Paved in Gold,” an episode chronicling the second wave of the Great Migration. Spanning from 1940 to 1970, this period saw a massive influx of African Americans moving from the rural South to the urban North and West, seeking economic opportunities and escaping the pervasive racism of Jim Crow.
This episode examines the profound impact of this migration on the cultural and political landscape of Black America. It wasn’t just about seeking better jobs; it was about building communities, establishing institutions, and fighting for equal rights. “Streets Paved in Gold” will look at the challenges faced by these new arrivals, the triumphs they achieved, and the legacy they left behind.
While the “streets paved in gold” metaphor might seem a bit romanticized, it speaks to the hopes and aspirations that fueled this historic movement. This episode sets out to examine the complicated realities behind the dream, exploring the discrimination, segregation, and economic hardship that often greeted these migrants in their new homes.
Great Migrations: A People on the Move airs Tuesdays at 9:00 PM ET/PT on PBS.