From Slate Magazine · Sam Adams · · 1m 30s
Bucks County USA: A Documentary on Polarization
PBS documentary shows Bucks County teens navigating political divides with their parents' opposing views
In brief
PBS documentary shows Bucks County teens navigating political divides with their parents' opposing views The documentary fails to address how political polarization affects children's safety and education Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
Bucks County's Political Divide
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, split presidential votes by fewer than 300 in 2024 with a Republican school board banning pride flags and symbols of support.
“Bucks County, USA generated controversy even before it aired, when a scheduled screening at Bucks County Community College was abruptly canceled for unspecified safety concerns last week.”
Two Girls' Friendship
Evi Casey, a theater student who loves Hamilton, and Vanessa Martino, a STEM student, form a friendship despite their parents' political differences.
“The two might seem like an odd pair even if it weren’t for the political divisions between their families.”
Parents' Political Influence
Vanessa's father, Paul Martino, spent half a million dollars backing far-right candidates for the Bucks County school board in 2021.
“The unprecedented sum had the desired effect in Bucks County but also fanned the flames of similar movements across the country”
Social Media Outbursts
The documentary features vitriolic social media comments labeling opponents as bigots, pedophiles, COVID deniers, anti-americans, and nazis.
“The screen regularly fills with vitriolic comments taken from social media”
Parental Disconnection
Evi says her parents only discuss school board elections during family dinners, creating an aggressive atmosphere.
“It’s really aggressive, she says”
Teacher Conflict
Kitty Semisch, a retired teacher, and Vonna DeArmond, a third grade teacher, have a strained relationship over political issues.
“By the fifth, Vonna’s insisting there’s proof that Haitians ate pets in Ohio, and acting shocked when Kitty insists otherwise”
Documentary's Shortcomings
The documentary minimizes severe political violence against children and fails to address how polarization impacts their safety.
“The show eats its own tail when the final episode catches up to the Sundance premiere”
Political Reality
Bucks County's political divide is asymmetrical, with one side having significantly more influence than the other.
“For Bucks County, USA to work, the sides must be evenly matched, in rhetoric and in power”
Documentary's Impact
Audience reactions after screenings show the documentary reopened old wounds rather than promoting healing.
“The postscreening discussion between the documentary’s subjects, some of whom had never met before, goes even worse”
Center of Polarization
The documentary assumes the political center is equidistant from both extremes, ignoring how polarization affects children's safety.
“Bucks County, USA is mired in the fatal fallacy that the center lies an even distance from each extreme”
The takeaway
The documentary fails to address how political polarization affects children's safety and education
