United Shades of America
Comedic and political gadfly W. Kamau Bell explores the far corners of the U.S. and its various groups and subcultures.
The Woke War
S7 E1
Kamau visits Arizona, on the front lines of a culture war, where the term "woke" has become a fight for control of the nation's future; Kamau talks with parents and educators to hear both sides of CRT and how it is being used as a weapon.
Black in Appalachia
S7 E2
A largely unknown population of Black Americans have called Appalachia home since the time of the conquistadors and contributed to American culture in overlooked ways.
California Is Burning
S7 E4
Years of drought and extreme heat waves in California have seen wildfires grow in frequency, intensity and size; the crisis is fueled by mismanagement of land, corporate greed and climate change.
Asian Americans in the Spotlight
S7 E5
Through interviews with Asian American celebrities, Kamau traces the history of negative stereotypes and the portrayals of Asian Americans in comedy, examining how stereotypes contributed to violence and racism towards Asian Americans.
The Landback Movement
S7 E6
Kamau travels to the Black Hills of South Dakota, known for millennia to Native Americans as "the heart of everything that is"; Native leaders explain the Landback Campaign and demand the United States honor its treaties and return all public lands.
Hawaii for Hawaiians
S7 E7
Encouraged by the state, mainlanders flock to Hawaii during the pandemic; native Hawaiians now beg people to stop visiting and moving to Hawaii, where the rising cost of living makes it the most expensive state in the country.
Policing the Police
S6 E1
Examining the warrior versus guardian mindset of police across the country.
Black to the Future
S6 E2
Kamau digs deeply into the discrimination and racism that lingers in programs like STEM; he looks at efforts to build a more inclusive workforce for the globally competitive future in technology and space.
Power of Protest
S6 E3
Exploring the dynamics of protests in Portland.
The Wealth Gap
S6 E4
Exposing forces working to keep Black families in the US from prosperity.
Thank You for Your Service
S6 E5
Kamau examines the military and how it is beset by the same destructive forces that keep the U.S. divided as a nation.
The Color of America
S6 E6
Kamau explores the shifting ethnic makeup of the U.S. in a celebratory exploration of an increasingly robust mixed-race population and the ways in which they are changing and challenging the culture.
Where Do We Even Start With White Supremacy?
S5 E1
W. Kamau Bell heads to Pittsburgh to take a deeper look into the damaging systemic applications of white supremacy.
All-American Family Farms
S5 E2
W. Kamau Bell examines the history of black farmers who, through racist economic and social practices, have been largely lost to time; he also talks to independent farmers who now face that same fate at the hands of international consolidation.
Going to Public School
S5 E3
A look at the difference between two Cleveland school districts.
The Gig Economy
S5 E4
Gig work is the fastest-growing category of new jobs in the US.
The Time for Reparations
S5 E5
Many scholars believe the first step of reparations isn't money.
Venezuelans in Florida
S5 E6
The treatment of Venezuelans in the US has political implications.
Iranian-Americans in NY
S5 E7
Iranian immigrants discuss their American experience.
Megachurches
S4 E1
Kamau visits Dallas, the home of the megachurch, to find out what is creating the new face of Christianity today in a city where church and state are far from separate.
Not All White People
S4 E2
While in and around Seattle, Kamau takes a look at different forms of activism that white people are using to combat America's history of white supremacy and the rise of extreme right-wing groups across the country.
Hmong Americans and the Secret War
S4 E3
Kamau meets members of the Hmong community brought to America after the Laotian Civil War forced their expulsion, and learns the multigenerational stories of loss, perseverance and hope that make up their American journey.
Body Politics
S4 E4
Kamau visits Jackson, Miss., to explore the divisive world of reproductive rights and reproductive justice, including abortion, sex education and women's health.
The Real D.C.
S4 E5
Kamau takes a look at Washington, D.C., through the eyes of residents who show him the vibrant culture that is distinct from the politics that surround it.
Out and Proud Salt Lake
S4 E6
Kamau visits Salt Lake City to explore the growing LGBTQ community living in the epicenter of the Mormon faith.
Toxic America
S4 E8
Kamau visits Philadelphia and Chester, Pa., to learn about the toxic man-made disasters that have polluted these communities for generations.
The Border
S3 E1
W. Kamau Bell heads to the U.S.-Mexico border to find out what life is like for the people who live there.
Sikhs in America
S3 E2
W. Kamau Bell unravels the stereotypes of one of the most misunderstood religions in America.
The South Carolina Gullah
S3 E3
W. Kamau Bell visits the coast of South Carolina to meet the Gullah Geechee people.
HBCU's
S3 E5
W. Kamau Bell heads to historically black colleges and universities to answer the question on why these schools are important.
The Canadian Way
S3 E6
W. Kamau Bell takes a trip up north to Canada to see if everything is truly as great as everyone says.
Sweet Home (Mobile) Alabama
S3 E7
W. Kamau Bell heads south to debunk some myths while also retracing his family roots with his father.
Native Hawaii
S3 E8
W. Kamau Bell visits the islands of Hawaii to talk to natives.
Chicago Gangs
S2 E2
W. Kamau Bell goes to the heart of Chicago gang territory to explore the truth about violence in the city.
Native 'Americans'
S2 E3
Kamau goes to the Dakotas to bring light onto the indigenous people mistakenly called Native Americans.
Muslims in Small Town America
S2 E4
W. Kamau Bell meets Muslims in Michigan who are eager to explain that practitioners of Islam are not what people assume they are.
Kamau Buys a Gun
S2 E5
W. Kamau Bell, a critic of gun laws in America, buys a 357 Magnum.
Puerto Ricans and Puerto Rico
S2 E6
W. Kamau Bell unlocks some of the myths of Puerto Ricans; a journey from New York City to Puerto Rico itself.
Appalachian Coal Country
S2 E7
The Appalachian region has a rich history and optimism, despite being one of the hardest-hit countries economically; W. Kamau Bell plans to mine.
It's Chinatown!
S2 E8
W. Kamau Bell visits San Francisco's Chinatown; what it means to be American while culturally connected to another country.
The New KKK
S1 E1
Despite their dwindling numbers over the decades, the notorious white supremacist group, the Klu Klux Klan, seek to reignite the flames of white power with a new message; W. Kamau Bell heads to the South to speak to KKK members.
Behind These Walls
S1 E2
W. Kamau Bell speaks to prisoners of the infamous San Quentin prison to hear their individual, real stories about life inside the prison and what it has turned them into.
Latino, U.S.A.
S1 E3
The population of East Los Angeles is over 90 percent Latino; they are predicted to be the majority population of Americans by 2044; W. Kamau Bell speaks to many Latinos who are fighting prejudice and spreading the message of tolerance.
Protect and Serve?
S1 E4
Camden, New Jersey has a reputation as one of the country's most dangerous cities; W. Kamau Bell heads there to see if a newly implemented community policing program is helping the relationship between citizens and the police force.
Off the Grid
S1 E5
W. Kamau Bell visits people in North Carolina and Tennessee who are living completely off the grid; inside the tiny house movement; legendary Summer of Love commune, The Farm; doomsday prepper who refuses to be identified.
Is It Cool to Be Hip?
S1 E6
W. Kamau Bell is off to speak to the people of Portland, Ore., where the result of a massive influx of hipsters appears to be gentrification; he inquires as to how this has affected the local neighborhoods.
The Last Frontier
S1 E7
W. Kamau Bell visits the Inuit people of Barrow, Alaska, 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where this town, only accessible by plane, is fighting to hold on to its traditions as large companies seek to acquire their natural resources.