American Trip

American trip

One year on from Donald Trump’s inauguration ARTE takes an American trip from North to South, visiting everyday Americans in out of the way places; from fishermen in Alaska to the muslim community of El Paso, Texas.

Suleiman B. Masoud is Muslim like 1% of the El Paso population. Originally from Palestine, he feels integrated into American society although since Donald Trump’s election he is worried.

American Trip (10/10)

Suleiman B. Masoud is Muslim and feels integrated into American society although Donald Trump’s election concerns him.

Keeping the Faith

Donald Trump promised to build a wall on the Mexican border to stop illegal immigration. Farmer Jim Chilton has wanted this for years. He accuses the Mexican Sinaloa cartel of sending over thousands of migrants carrying tonnes of marijuana into the US over his land adjacent to the border.

American Trip (9/10)

Donald Trump promised to build a wall on the Mexican border. Farmer Jim Chilton has wanted this for years. 

A Cowboy by Trump's Wall

Since Donald Trump’s election hate crime has increased in the USA. Karen Wortham is convinced that her president is partly responsible. In Savannah, Georgia she evokes the sensitive subject of slavery.

American Trip (8/10)

In Savannah, Georgia  Karen Wortham brings up the sensitive subject of slavery.

Black and White

Donald Trump has increased American military spending but this won’t necessarily help army veterans. Kelly Winshurst and her husband receive no pension from their time in the army.

American Trip (7/10)

Donald Trump has increased American military spending but this won’t necessarily help army veterans.

Serving Your Country

Jack Bergeson is 17 years old and standing for election as the next democratic governor of Kansas, a state with no minimum age for election. The high-school student is participating in the state primaries against much more experienced candidates in a strongly republican state.

American Trip (6/10)

Jack Bergeson is 17 years old and standing for election as the next democratic governor of Kansas.

A Teenager in Politics

Times are tough in Greensburg, Kansas. In 2007 a tornado almost completely destroyed the town. The local community saw this as an opportunity and decided to reconstruct according to highest environmental specifications. Greensburg is the first ultra-Republican and Green city in the USA

American Trip (5/10) 

In 2007 a tornado almost completely destroyed the Republican town of Greensburg. They decided to rebuild green.

Green and Conservative

The Pine Ridge Indian Reserve in South Dakota is one of the poorest in the USA where most of the 20,000 native-American inhabitants are unemployed. Darlene High Hawk found a job as a cleaner in the only motel in the area. She is disillusioned by politics but hopes that Washington provides opportunities for young people.

American Trip (4/10)

Darlene High Hawk hopes jobs will come to her Indian reserve.

Trump and the Maid

Every day in the USA there is an average of 121 suicides. In the mid-west state of South Dakota the teenage suicide rate is so high they call it an epidemic. For pastor Corey Harouff the solution is clear: young people need to find God.

American Trip (3/10)

 In the mid-west state of South Dakota the teenage suicide rate is so high they call it an epidemic.

God Against Suicide

Most Alaskans support Donald Trump’s plan to increase oil and gas production in areas of the Arctic currently protected. For the fisherman RJ Kopchak this is unthinkable. He lives in the small town of Cordova close to the site of the one of the worst environmental disasters in history.

American Trip (2/10)

Most Alaskans support Donald Trump’s plan to increase oil and gas production in areas of the Arctic currently protected.

Alaska and Dirty Oil

Only 5,000 miles from North Korea, Alaska fears a nuclear attack from Pyongyang. Eric Hecker is a survivalist, actively preparing for a disaster along with the local militia he has created numbering some 100 members.

American Trip (1/10)

Alaska fears a nuclear attack from Pyongyang. Eric Hecker is a survivalist actively preparing for a disaster.