WQLN PBS NPR
8425 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509

Phone
(814) 864-3001

© 2026 PUBLIC BROADCASTING OF NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
American Masters

The formation of the NAACP and Du Bois’ magazine, “The Crisis”

Season 40 Episode 4 | 3m 10s

After violent race riots surged across the United States, the NAACP was formed in 1909. W.E.B. Du Bois became its only Black board member and editor of the organization’s magazine, “The Crisis.” The publication used journalism, art, and data to expose racial violence and highlight Black achievement.

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Anita and Jay Kaufman, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The Charina Endowment Fund, The Marc Haas Foundation and public television viewers.
Latest Episodes
American Masters
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Episode: S40 E5
American Masters
W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause
Explore the life and legacy of notable Black scholar and civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois.
Episode: S40 E4
Watch • 1:40:12
American Masters
Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House
Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.
Episode: S40 E3 | 1:40:12
Watch • 1:23:05
American Masters
Sun Ra: Do The Impossible
Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra.
Episode: S40 E2 | 1:23:05
Watch • 1:23:55
American Masters
Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire
Learn about Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize-winning author of Night.
Episode: S40 E1 | 1:23:55
Watch • 1:52:55
American Masters
Starring Dick Van Dyke
Ahead of his 100th birthday, celebrate the life and career of iconic actor Dick Van Dyke.
Episode: S39 E8 | 1:52:55
Watch • 1:36:28
American Masters
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
Learn about Marlee Matlin, Oscar-winning actress and champion of the Deaf community.
Episode: S39 E7 | 1:36:28
Watch • 1:22:55
American Masters
Marcella
Discover how celebrated cookbook writer Marcella Hazan shaped Italian cuisine in America.
Episode: S39 E6 | 1:22:55
Watch • 1:23:45
American Masters
Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny
Discover Hannah Arendt, one of the most fearless political writers of modern times.
Episode: S39 E5 | 1:23:45
Watch • 1:51:14
American Masters
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
Trace the life and music of “Society’s Child” folk icon and LGBTQ+ advocate Janis Ian.
Episode: S39 E4 | 1:51:14
Extras
Watch • 2:37
American Masters
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Preview: S40 E5 | 2:37
Watch • 2:29
American Masters
W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause
Explore the life and legacy of notable Black scholar and civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois.
Preview: S40 E4 | 2:29
Watch • 3:43
American Masters
W.E.B. Du Bois' childhood, family and education
Born in 1868, W.E.B. Du Bois rose from hardship to academic excellence.
Clip: S40 E4 | 3:43
Watch • 2:32
American Masters
A brief history of Reconstruction
Reconstruction saw Black progress, then backlash erased gains after brief equality.
Clip: S40 E4 | 2:32
Watch • 2:25
American Masters
Du Bois used visualized data to confront racism at the 1900 Paris Exposition
At the 1900 Paris Expo, Du Bois used data to present a visually captivating case against racism.
Clip: S40 E4 | 2:25
Watch • 1:48
American Masters
W.E.B. Du Bois passed away on the eve of the 1963 March on Washington
Du Bois’ death at the 1963 March on Washington marked a passing of the torch in civil rights.
Clip: S40 E4 | 1:48
Watch • 1:48
American Masters
Lily Tomlin was inspired by Bella Abzug to fight
Actress Lily Tomlin talks about campaigning for Bella Abzug and how she was inspired to fight.
Clip: S40 E3 | 1:48
Watch • 2:41
American Masters
Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House
Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.
Preview: S40 E3 | 2:41
Watch • 0:55
American Masters
Defining what's missing in our democracy
In 1975, Bella Abzug went on the "Dinah!" show and questioned what was missing in our democracy.
Clip: S40 E3 | 0:55
Watch • 2:10
American Masters
How Bella Abzug elevated feminist causes while in office
While in Congress, Bella Abzug elevated feminist causes, including women's financial independence.
Clip: S40 E3 | 2:10
WQLN PBS Passport
WQLN PBS Passport is a member benefit that provides you with extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming!
Learn More