Young capitalist. Randy Barnes photo
In September 2017 PBS will broadcast in 10 parts, 18 hours of a Ken Burns production look at to our Vietnam experience in length and breadth, using the tools of his past productions and likely new methods and tools. Incorporating social media into the overall show experience is one. This will be Americas first detailed look back at combat in a country named Vietnam and our domestic political/social battle over our involvement. The divisions in our society were deep and wide then and healing has been, and is, slow or we may have regressed into deeper division. Forgiveness by all sides needs to happen and I hope this series can make sense of all the anger and that people that did not experience those times get a comprehensive overview that lets them make sense of what to them is ancient history.
The anger and social divisions still alive and well today make this a risky undertaking for an artist that has a special place for most Americans because of his past work. The Civil War series did not compete with participants while telling the story, Vietnam will and that is a big risk in showing this series on PBS. I hope every American will come with an open mind and a soul with forgiveness, to this series. This may be the our last chance to have a national discussion about our involvement in Vietnam .
