September MPB Classics series explores upholding constitutional freedoms

JACKSON, Miss. – You’ve Got That Right!, a five-part series from 1991 that explores real-life court cases that reveal how complicated upholding constitutional freedoms can be, is the MPB Classics series for September 2021. 

The Bill of Rights was written in 1791 to grant United States citizens freedoms not explicitly listed in the Constitution. But the country and the world have changed quite a bit since then. How are these 10 amendments relevant in the modern age? Emmy Award winner Alfre Woodard hosts this five-part series on how complicated protecting these freedoms can be.

MPB Classics is a collection of original television programs by Mississippi Public Broadcasting. The programs document the local culture and history of Mississippi through literature, visual arts, folklore, music, storytellers and more.

Every month for the next three years, a new set of MPB Classics programs will be available for free on-demand viewing at video.mpbonline.org for two months. Afterward, they will be accessible through MPB Passport for paid subscribers. 

The September 2021 MPB Classics series You’ve Got That Right!, will be available for free on-demand viewing until October 31. The series includes the following: 

• The Bill of Rights: An Overview: The Bill of Rights was put in place to grant specific protections and freedoms to all Americans, even if “all Americans” might hold beliefs others may disagree with.
• The First Amendment: Freedom of Speech: In 1989, rap group 2 Live Crew was charged with obscenity over lyrics on their album As Nasty as They Wanna Be. Is music protected under the First Amendment? Where is the line between explicit content and obscenity?
• The Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure: After a string of crimes and injuries at concerts in Seattle, Washington, the city implemented mandatory pat downs to enter music venues. This raised the question: Does searching civilians without a warrant stand directly against the Fourth Amendment? If so, how can law enforcement adequately prevent crimes?
• The Fifth Amendment: Self-Incrimination: When a Connecticut teenager was imprisoned for the murder of his mother, even though none of the evidence suggested he was guilty of the crime, the legitimacy of his confession was called into question. Why would someone confess to a crime he didn’t commit? How can the Fifth Amendment help with this issue?
• The Bill of Rights in the Future: It’s no secret that the world is a scary, complicated and messy place. In this society, certain rights aren’t guaranteed, but should they be? With discussions regarding housing, healthcare, criminal records, the environment and much more, it begs the question: What rights could we see added to the Bill of Rights in the future?

MPB is a state agency that also operates as a PBS and NPR affiliate broadcasting station. For more information visit www.mpbonline.org. Find all MPB press releases here.

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Mississippi Public Broadcasting provides relevant instructional and public affairs programming to Mississippians through its statewide television and radio network.  MPB enhances the work of educators, students, parents and learners of all ages by providing informative programming and educational resources.  MPB’s locally produced programming focuses on the people, resources and attractions that reflect Mississippi’s unique culture and diverse heritage. Children’s television programs constitute a major portion of the daytime and weekend morning schedules.  MPB provides a valuable resource to Mississippians in disseminating information as part of the state’s emergency preparedness and response system.  Since 1970, MPB has won over 350 national, regional and statewide awards, including Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow and Parents’ Choice® Awards.