Netflix series on the Vietnam War looks at pain across racial lines

A new Netflix-limited series takes a fresh look at the Vietnam War that examines the conflict from the eyes of Black soldiers, Vietnamese fighters and journalists on the 50th anniversary of its end.Why it matters: The Vietnam War has split Americans across ideological and racial lines for much of the last few decades, with those divisions around the U.S. role in the world still evident today.Zoom in: "Turning Point: The Vietnam War," which was released on Wednesday and is now streaming on Netflix, confronts those divisions head-on while trying to make sense of why the United States got involved in Vietnam in the first place.Following in the footsteps of other Netflix series, "Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War" and "Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror," this five-episode docuseries goes beyond military failures and diplomatic moves.Instead, the series examines the political and cultural reckoning that followed the war, which reshaped American society and created generations of distrust.Series director Brian Knappenberger tells Axios the war birthed a "radically different country" in the U.S. and fostered division about government, protests and duty."I think the reason to look back on it is because the Vietnam War just had this lasting impact on us."Knappenberger says his goal was not to glorify the past and political figures but to take an honest assessment, even when it hurt. President Nixon and President Johnson discuss the Vietnam War. Photo: Courtesy of Turning Point: The Vietnam War/NetflixThe intrigue: Unlike many previous documentaries on the Vietnam War, "Turning Point: The Vietnam War" actively uses the voices of Black soldiers to show how the conflict affected them as the Civil Rights Movement hit an apex.Black veterans talking of grappling with their conflicted feelings, fighting for "democracy" in Vietnam while being treated like second-class citizens back home.In addition, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning Vietnamese American author of "The Sympathizer," talks in the documentary about the effects of the war on his family.Flashback: President John Kennedy got the U.S. involved in a civil war in Vietnam amid the Cold War and fears of spreading Communism.After his assassination, President Lyndon Johnson escalated U.S. involvement, sparking anti-Vietnam War protests on college campuses across the nation.President Nixon continued the war, even expanded it to nearby Cambodia, until agreeing to a peace accord. Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese fighters on April 30, 1975.Juan José Valdez of San Antonio, Texas, was the last of the 11 U.S. Marines out of Vietnam before the fall of Saigon. Shootings at Kent State University as students protesting the Vietnam War run from tear gas. Photo: Courtesy of Turning Point: The Vietnam War/NetflixZoom out: The new documentary comes as a new poll shows a majority of American adults, including most Vietnam War veterans, think the United States should have stayed out of Vietnam.The survey by Nexstar Media and Emerson College Polling, released this week, showed that a majority of adults (62%) think the U.S. should have stayed out of Vietnam.A plurality of U.S. adults (44%) think the war in Vietnam was not justified, while 29% believe the war was justified. Dennis Clark Brazil with his aunt the day he returned from Vietnam. Photo: Courtesy of Turning Point: The Vietnam War/NetflixYes, but: Knappenberger says it's also important to take into account the voices of North Vietnamese who were involved in the war and how it transformed their lives.The documentary talks to several Vietnamese figures who recount their experiences and the lingering results decades later.Between the lines: Thousands of returning Vietnam War veterans suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and were shunned by anti-war protesters and war supporters for the defeat.Some Vietnam War veterans, such as the late Sen. John McCain and Sen. John Kerry, ran for office, but none were ever elected president.

Comments

World news

Arizona communities bank on Trump's push for coal to ensure they're not forgotten

Comments

Similar News

Netflix chief Ted Sarandos says cinemagoing is ‘outmoded’ and the streamer is ‘saving Hollywood’

Barry Didcock: Netflix and Amazon now making better Scottish drama than BBC or STV

Barry Didcock: Netflix and Amazon now making better Scottish drama than BBC or STV

Brit 'con mum' who scammed own son charged with fraud after victims watched Netflix show

Brit Netflix ‘con mum’ Dionne Marie Hanna ‘who scammed her own SON’ arrested after victims recognised her from hit show

British 'con mum', 84, who scammed her MasterChef star son to fund champagne lifestyle is charged with fraud after victims watched Netflix show

Netflix star Manuel Masalva, 43, in a coma after contracting 'aggressive' bacterial infection

World news

Arizona communities bank on Trump's push for coal to ensure they're not forgotten

Protesters want Morocco to sever ties with Israel, so they're targeting strategic ports

‘SNL’ cold open mocks Trump’s use of executive orders: ‘Reduce the number of interracial couples in TV commercials’

Australia's re-elected prime minister says voters chose unity over division

Romanians vote in a presidential redo after voided election sparked deep political crisis

Pope Francis left unfinished business after a 12-year papacy. What challenges await the next pope?

Protesters want Morocco to sever ties with Israel, so they're targeting strategic ports

Japan and China accuse each other of violating airspace around disputed East China Sea islands

Life in the fast lane: Middle East’s first all-women supercar club smashes petrolhead stereotypes

Vehicle crashes into entrance at Manila airport, killing 2 people including a 4-year-old girl

A roofless palace in Italy's Viterbo hosted the first and longest conclave

Leafs, Oilers given starting dates for Round 2

I have endometriosis and it inflamed my psoriasis – but it was a fight to be heard

Should I withhold my son’s inheritance until he’s more responsible with money?

‘I run a pharmacy – but we need more money to cope with NHS pressures’

Why Britain isn’t ready for a trade war with Trump

12 foods that can be secret UPFs – how to pick the best options

The abandoned African ghost town that's one of the world's most remote places

The new incredible night train that will link 2 popular holiday hotspots

The pretty Spanish town so unhappy with its name it's tried changing it three times

Russian economy meltdown as gas and electricity bills soar 40% and mortgage rates rocket

The 'charismatic' cardinal Donald Trump wants as Pope - but key detail may prevent it

The incredible £75bn mega-project that's China's 'new Great Wall'

Pilot killed as small plane crashes into homes in California

Girl, 10, killed as tree falls on family home in Atlanta during storm

Australia’s re-elected government says ‘dark shadow’ of US-China trade war top priority

A legislative session like no other: Key issues that didn't go in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' favor

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv says it destroyed Russian fighter jet using sea drone for first time

Strong 5.3 magnitude earthquake hits remote area of Texas

Lady Gaga puts on her biggest-ever show for free on Copacabana Beach

Israeli pilots' protest letter reveals deepening rift over ongoing war in Gaza

Soldier's guilt ate away at him for 30 years after murdering mum in front of toddler

Jewels linked to Buddha remains go to auction, sparking ethical debate

How Katy Perry became the Hot and Cold popstar

Clair Obscur: How a passion project became 2025's most talked-about game

‘Young people feel very smothered’: Reform’s plan to grab youth vote

Scoop: Hegseth plans Israel visit ahead of Trump's Middle East trip

Young men were getting a haircut ahead of Swedish festival - then they were shot dead

Romania reruns controversial election after earlier vote annulled

Burro racing wins over runners in backcountry ode to mining history

Ohio deputy killed by father of 18-year-old fatally shot by police a day earlier

Quebec drug maker recalls pain medicine amid potentially fatal health risks

Five arrested over alleged terrorism plot

How Carney's election win will change direction of trade war

The Vatican installs chimney to signal the selection of the next pope

Ohio divorce attorney accused of murdering client to avoid trying her case in court

Mexico's president says she rejected Trump's plan to send US troops across the border

Gausman, Bichette shine in Jays loss to Guardians

How the NHS will be able to diagnose cancer cases faster

Europe marks VE Day with Trump on its mind

Crowds flock to free Lady Gaga concert in Brazil

Trump criticised after posting AI image of himself as Pope

Warren Buffett, 94, stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO

Zelensky says talk with Trump at the Vatican was their most productive to date

Post office worker seen on camera beating young girl while in full uniform

AOC town hall descends into chaos as protester calls her a ‘liar’

RCMP called in after derelict ferry burns in ‘suspicious’ blaze overnight

Wednesday is the Real ID deadline. What to know about the new travel requirement.

Poised to Expand Gaza Offensive, Israel Calls Up Thousands of Reserve Soldiers

Virginia Giuffre’s ‘£12m’ Prince Andrew settlement FROZEN amid bitter inheritance battle between her husband & family