PBS American Portrait. A National Storytelling Project
FEATURED COLLECTION
“As a union, we decided to take action...”
Hear the trials and successes of American union workers from all trades.
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The US Labor Movement has made a strong resurgence in recent years. In the tradition of workers who fought for a voice on the job, today’s unions continue to strive for safe workplaces and fair wages. From the strike line to the classroom, workers and organizers are telling their stories.
- My parent(s) wanted me to to support myself, on my own and not depend upon another person, It took me some time, because of lack of education, but I was lucky enough to become a teamster, and with a high school degree,I not only supported myself...
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- Looking ahead, I pray that we can rid ourselves of the current POTUS before his lack of intelligence and inability to think of the welfare of others destroys our country. Please someone get me a bumper sticker that reads "BYE DON" and let us elect some...
- Looking ahead, I really hope that I can achieve my dreams, because I've seen so many people get bogged down by life in general, and it sometimes makes me think that I won't be able to achieve anything.
- Looking ahead, I hope that the world will see how desperately we need to get back to the basics, the simpler things. I realize that this sounds cliche, but it's true. We've gotten "too big for our britches," and have wound up hurting the masses more...
- What do you see ahead of you?Share a Story
- Looking ahead, I look forward to a safe and fun school year. I am happy that I am a JR in high school, Also would like to graduate and go to nursing school.
- Looking ahead, I cannot wait to graduate high school. Once I do, I am looking forward to getting a apartment and live a good life, which is still possible in today's world.
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- My life right now like everyone's is surreal. Never would have predicted a pandemic as that was something that only happened long ago and written about by someone named DeFoe. Nope. Never thought it in 70 years. Have been in an earthquake (small), have sheltered in...
- My life right now has been quiet boring, i got my phone taken away because i didn't do my work and its not good, before the quarantine i hanged out with my friends a lot and played soccer together and did stuff together, now i can...
- My life right now First female ever to work in my male dominated field at this VA in the boiler room and power plant. Among the first few females on an integrated U.S. Navy ship in a war (Desert Storm) I'm blessed to be an American...
- My life right now is getting better, with each day that corona becomes more standardized i become more comfortable and am able to go out more and be myself again.
- What does your life look right now?Share a Story
- My life right now After my military service, I earned a bachelors of art degree with honors from the University of Maryland. In 1956 while i was vice president of the university's International Club, I floated the idea of presidential debates, enlisting the support of Mrs...
- My life right now is as it always has been. The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected my everyday life, except to perhaps open my eyes a little wider to the energies and forces that run this world. I remain a wanderer; always following the twists and...
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- What does work mean to you?Share a Story
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- What’s your American dream?Share a Story
- My American dream I guess would have been joining the military as an Officer. And I did that. Now that I am here, away from my family and home and love, I realize that my “American Dream” took me away from everything I wholeheartedly cared for...
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- At this point in my life I am looking more at my life as past than what is to come. I am in the latter half of my sixties and disabled. I need a walker to get around. I. was always on the go and really...
- At this point in my life I just want to be happy and enjoy the time i get with my family and friends. That's all that matters to me.
- At this point in my life I still have no idea what I'm doing, or even what I'm supposed to be doing.
- At this point in my life for the first time in my life I feel like I am ready to have kids. It's the thing what I've wanted for sooo long and I finally got to that point where I feel like this is the time...
- How does your age shape your perspective?Share a Story
- At this point in my life I'm in between worlds. I'm about to leave the life I've known and enter an entirely new world that I've never known before, and it's scary. It's terrifying. I have no idea what I want to do, or where I...
- At this point in my life I often reflect on where I am and the impact I am making on those that depend on me. I am a 31 and a mother of three. I grew up in a house consumed with addiction and abuse. Try...
- At this point in my life I never expected to be a divorced single mother of 4 young boys & trying to figure out who I am & what I want in life at 30 years old. I was with my ex-husband for over 13 years...
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- Family looks like everyone I come in contact with. Everyone to me is either a mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, or son.
- Family looks like togetherness, love, and happiness. My family is my rock, what makes me happy, and the people who care most about me. My family means the world to me and I know that I would do anything for them and they would do anything...
- What does “family” mean to you?Share a Story
- Family looks like a place were you can be who you are. A place in which you won't be judged for you are, with people who care about you and will be there for you when you need them.
- Family looks like a place where you are able to feel all emotions. You are able to feel safe, loved and free when surrounded by these people.
- Family looks like a safe place, especially when you don't know where you belong in the world. I grew up in a family that made me feel like I was not enough. My thoughts and opinions were criticized, and my gifts were seen as flaws. I...
- Family looks like the people who smile back at you, who raise you up when you are low, and who will give you the kick you need when you start to let yourself down. Family looks like the people who choose to be in your life...
- Family looks like the close connection knit between a group of people. Not only does family consist of the people that you are related to, but also the people whom you have formed a strong connection with and those you can always count on to be...
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- Now is the time to do everything you ever dreamed of doing. You can do anything! Life is too short to do nothing. Stand up for your neighbor. Tell your crush that you like them. Spread positivity. Go on the mission trip. Be kind to those...
- What are your hopes for this moment?Share a Story
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- I was raised to believe that all men and women are created equal. You treat someone how you want be treated. Right? Unfortunately, life just isn't fair. Should it stay unfair? Should we stay sitting and watching? Life happens once. Once it is taken it won't...
- I was raised to believe that anything is possible and that dreams can be tangible things. Despite the lacks my depression aged parents had in their lives, they still saw the power of potential. For me books were the doors to so many wonderful new worlds...
- What were you raised to believe?Share a Story
- I was raised to believe in God and my faith. I am proud to be a Catholic, and I wish that other Catholics, felt the same passion that I do. Our beliefs are rich in history and there is always something new to learn.
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- I was raised to believe that lesbians were gross and angry. My dad used to call lesbian couples slurs and complain about them right in front of me when I was smaller and I never understood why that made me so uncomfortable. Boy was my dad...
- I was raised to believe in God, have respect for your parents, love your family and be the good in the world that you want to see. Also, to work hard to create a strong future and get married and have a family.
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FEATURED COLLECTION
“Coming from a Latin country, the tradition I carry on...”
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by exploring stories from people with Latin roots.
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With a population of 52 million, Hispanic and Latino Americans make up the second largest ethnic group in the United States. From stories about art and activism to tales of food, family, and traditions, hear voices from the Latinx community.
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- The tradition I carry on is ... When I was younger, my family and my cousin's family went on a few vacations to the mountains together. My mom and aunt would make my grandmother's enchiladas (what they considered our secret family recipe), along with family-picked fresh...
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- What’s a day’s work for you?Share a Story
- A day's work is waking up at 7 am Monday-Friday, helping my little brother get to all 7 of his zoom classes with his school work in between his classes. My other brother and I have 4 classes a day and 7 on Friday. Our first-class...
- A day's work is waking up every morning around 7:30, grabbing my mask and eating a quick breakfast with my whole family, and then driving me and my two sisters to school. We grab our masks and desk shields and then continue a 'normal' day at...
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- My greatest challenge is having people take me seriously. I'm 18 years old and I moved out March of 2020 mid pandemic. I have a passion for food and I've been working over the past two years more seriously towards my last to get myself where...
- My greatest challenge is seeing the world for what it truly is. It's not a wonderful place as I thought when I was younger, but at the same time it's not nearly as bad as some people make it out to be.
- What is your greatest challenge?Share a Story
- My greatest challenge is knowing and accepting I will go blind. I have a rare condition that will take if not all then most of my vision. Im afraid that I will be part of the group that looses all of my vision and I won't...
- My greatest challenge is to change this world make it better. make people what to come here and feel good about themself make sure everything I do the people can see what I'm doing. I what people to come together and be one I what the...
- My greatest challenge is not being overly critical of myself all the time. my self confidence suffers constantly from my own criticism. It causes rifts in every aspect of my mental health.
- My greatest challenge is having a positive body image. Every single day I look at myself in the mirror and hate what I see. I am not fat but feel like I am and it has been a challenge for the longest time to love my...
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