“Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts” is an award-winning documentary feature that explores the often-contradictory role played by the Black soldiers throughout American history, with particular emphasis on the settling of the American West and colonialism abroad.
After the ratification of the 14th Amendment by Congress in 1868 granting full citizenship to Black men, many of them enlisted in the military, but they faced structural and social barriers to equal opportunity and fair treatment. Black soldiers helped lead the United States' expansion westward; they helped build and guard transcontinental railroads and served as park rangers in places like Yosemite before the U.S. government established the National Park Service.
“The Buffalo Soldiers are key American figures whose tenacity to battle against overwhelming odds in service to the country has forever shaped history,” said Sylvia Bugg, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming at PBS/ “PBS is proud to present this eye-opening and deeply moving story to audiences this summer, directed by one of the selected creators from our Open Call for Emerging Filmmakers.”
“Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts” is a film from PBS’s Open Call for Emerging Filmmakers, which provides support for creators with unique ideas that will resonate, foster dialogue and bring new engagement across the public media system. It will premiere at 9:00 p.m. on Monday, June 12.
