For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska

I didn't catch the first 15 min. of this program, but ironically, not being able to handle political TV ads for the 2010 election being held the next day (Nov. 2, 2010), I channel- surfed to KUOW-TV, Seattle's PBS station, since I knew they wouldn't be airing political ads.

Instead I found this fantastic documentary which helped me, an Anglo with some Native American (1/8th Cherokee) blood, understand a segment of U.S. society which I am intrigued with but know so little about because of their stories being dated and not being shared as widely as other civil rights struggles in the U.S.

This is a VERY GOOD documentary which uses a lot of reenactment of scenes from as far back as 70-some years ago, and overall uses these scenarios very well.

There was one scene of a white Alaska Territorylegislator who wasn't in period wardrobe (circa late '40s/early '50s), which was a failing, because the remainder of the documentary did such a good job of that attention to detail. The poorly-suited talent wasn't a key character. Yet it didn't seem clear why this extra was included instead of being edited out since his appearance in current-day business attire was odd and extraneous.

Other than this one mistake, the docudrama honored those who'd acted out their fore bearers' roles. After seeing the producers' budget for the 60-minute piece, they did an amazing job for their set design, wardrobe and other details.

This is definitely an hour of worthwhile viewing.