# @thirteenwnet on YouTube

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=6IoI5dpDGsA
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68956782-thirteenwnet-youtube
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7d065bbfa5.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-07T19:00:30.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** THIRTEEN (@thirteenwnet) — https://gondola.cc/thirteenwnet

## Caption

Does the American Dream actually work—and who does it work for?

In this 1975 episode of "Assignment America," columnist George Will, poet Maya Angelou, populist chronicler Studs Terkel, and historian Doris Kearns debate a question that is also incredibly important to ask in 2026: Does America still work?

In the 1970s, soaring unemployment, skyrocketing inflation, systemic inequality, and deep political distrust after the Watergate scandal created a sharp divide between "patriotic optimism" and the lives of everyday Americans.

These renowned thinkers clash over whether the American dream is a unifying promise or a selective myth.

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This 1975 episode," Does America Still Work?" from the THIRTEEN Vault is part of "Assignment America," which was a weekly series with alternating interviewers including poet, playwright and author Maya Angelou; Harvard psycho-historian Doris Kerns; syndicated columnist George Will; and populist chronicler Studs Terkel. Each program featured one of the four in a 30-minute film or videotape report on someone who contributed to the ideas and issues of America.
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#America250 #Bicentennial #AmericanHistory #MayaAngelou #StudsTerkel #GeorgeWill #DorisKearns #DorisKearnsGoodwin #AmericanDream #1970s #PublicMedia #THIRTEEN #WNET #PBS

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THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.

## Stats

- **Views:** 527
- **Likes:** 28
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 4

## Tags

bicentennial, pbs, wnet, thirteen, mayaangelou, georgewill, 1970s, publicmedia, doriskearnsgoodwin, america250, studsterkel, doriskearns, americandream, americanhistory

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