0:00:02 > 0:00:07# God bless America
0:00:07 > 0:00:12# Land that I love
0:00:12 > 0:00:14# Stand beside her
0:00:14 > 0:00:17# And guide her... #
0:00:17 > 0:00:21The American dream... is dead.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25# God bless America... #
0:00:25 > 0:00:28I will bring it back,
0:00:28 > 0:00:31bigger and better than ever before,
0:00:31 > 0:00:35and we will make America great again.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39America.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43After one of the most roller-coaster years in living memory,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46one woman is leaving London on a mission to find out
0:00:46 > 0:00:47what exactly is going on.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50I like onion.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54Fart...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56SHE FARTS That's better.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01I'm going to America to learn.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03I want to learn...
0:01:04 > 0:01:08..what life's like there, what is the state of the States.
0:01:08 > 0:01:09Very important...
0:01:09 > 0:01:11..is Vegemite.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15- Really?- You can't get it in America, I don't think.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17I'm just a nosy little Jew...
0:01:18 > 0:01:21..and I want to test the waters.
0:01:22 > 0:01:23That's my knickers.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25I'm just going to go and ask questions,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28and I shall go with an open mind,
0:01:28 > 0:01:29a warm heart,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31and a beady eye!
0:01:33 > 0:01:35I lived in America for 16 years.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37But things have changed,
0:01:37 > 0:01:41and the America I'm going to see now is not one I know.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43And I want to know it,
0:01:43 > 0:01:48because I think that it is responsible for changing the world.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Passport, boarding pass.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52This is a big deal. Why on earth are you going now?
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Because...it's to be done.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00If I don't use the capabilities I have, I'm dead!
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Just because I have a weak bladder doesn't mean I'm dead.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04I've got to go on.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06I've got to...discover,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08and share my discoveries.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12That's what I want to do, and I'm bloody well going to do it!
0:02:15 > 0:02:1876-year-old actress Miriam Margolyes is embarking on
0:02:18 > 0:02:20an epic two-month road trip,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24winding her way down the middle of middle America.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28This is a journey that will take her from Chicago, in the north,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30down through the American heartland,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32ending in the Deep South of New Orleans.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Miriam's going to be meeting the people of real America,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39the people whose voices and votes
0:02:39 > 0:02:41are changing the shape of the country.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57I need to go to a taxi.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58A taxi? OK.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59- Yeah.- OK, here we go.
0:03:01 > 0:03:02What's your name?
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- Riali.- Riali?- Yeah.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Americans have such weird names! SHE LAUGHS
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Hi.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Hello. Are you my driver?
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Yes, I am your driver. Welcome to Chicago.
0:03:16 > 0:03:17What's your name?
0:03:17 > 0:03:19My name is Sammad Khan.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21I like to sit in the front, darling.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Oh, yes, that would be my pleasure.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27# This is
0:03:27 > 0:03:31# My kind of town
0:03:31 > 0:03:33# Chicago is... #
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Miriam's road trip begins in Illinois,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38in the gateway to middle America,
0:03:38 > 0:03:39Chicago.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43It may have been Frank Sinatra's kind of town,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45but that was 50 years ago.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Today, the city that gave birth to the skyscraper
0:03:51 > 0:03:53is the third biggest in the States,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56and one of the most important business centres in the world.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00But this is a divided city.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Many of its residents live in poverty.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07And it's become America's murder capital.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11It's here that Miriam will try and find out
0:04:11 > 0:04:15if the American dream is still alive and well.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Have you heard that phrase "the American dream"?
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Oh, yes. That's why I'm here.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23I'm from a different country, I'm from Pakistan originally.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26One day I told my mum, I dreamed that I'm going to America.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- It brought me here. - You dreamed the dream, did you?
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- I dreamed it.- What is it for you, the American dream?
0:04:32 > 0:04:33What does it mean?
0:04:33 > 0:04:35It means, like, it's a land of freedom.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37There are some rules, you need to follow the rules.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41You need to work hard, and you can get anything you want.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42That's why they say God bless America.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Your version of the American dream, you want to be a millionaire?
0:04:47 > 0:04:48No, not really.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50I want to become a billionaire!
0:04:50 > 0:04:52A millionaire isn't enough?!
0:04:52 > 0:04:54- LAUGHING:- It's not enough!
0:04:54 > 0:04:55You're in a big country, think big.
0:04:57 > 0:04:58How d'you like my car?
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Love it.- You think you're going to recommend to the people?
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- I sure will. - That's why I give you my card.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Darling, I knew that! LAUGHTER
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- I wasn't born yesterday! - People say that I'm a salesman, too!
0:05:08 > 0:05:10You have to be, if you want to get on in business.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- That's true.- If you've got something to sell, you've got to sell it!
0:05:14 > 0:05:16The cabbie was interesting.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- Loves America.- Yes.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20I didn't really warm to him.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- We are here. - I think he was very smooth,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27and I'm not...an admirer of smooth.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29Hello!
0:05:29 > 0:05:30- Hello.- How are you?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I'm fine. I'm Miriam, and I'm...
0:05:33 > 0:05:34- I'm Larry.- Nice to meet you, Larry.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Nice to meet you, so happy you're here.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- I'm your guest for a few days. - You are my Airbnb guest?- Yep.- Yes.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- Come on in!- Thank you very much.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45This gentleman is kindly going to put my cases in.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Airbnb don't help with the luggage, huh?!
0:05:47 > 0:05:49No, that's your job, mate!
0:05:51 > 0:05:53You're not a billionaire yet, you know!
0:05:53 > 0:05:55- Here we go. - Wow! What a lovely house!
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Thank you so much.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Miriam has booked herself into an Airbnb.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02It's in Wicker Park,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04a recently gentrified bohemian suburb.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08And it's run by live-in hosts Larry and Jay.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Oh, hi! How are you?
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- I'm very well.- I'm Jay.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- Nice to meet you, Jay. - Nice to meet you.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17So are you married, or just lovers?
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- LAUGHTER - Both!
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Well, you're obviously people who care about design.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27It's very impressive, I like it very much.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Thank you. Let's give you a tour!
0:06:29 > 0:06:33What I'd like to do first is go to the place I'm going to live in.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- OK.- And have a pee.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- OK!- And then I'll be able to go and look at the house
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- and all the rest of it. - Totally! OK.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- This way.- Thank you.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44Wow!
0:06:46 > 0:06:47That's beautiful.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- Thank you.- What a lovely room.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Just show me the loo!
0:06:52 > 0:06:54The loo, the toilet is right in here.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55Let me turn the...
0:06:57 > 0:06:59..air on, so you have privacy.
0:06:59 > 0:07:00If you know what I mean.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02You mean if I fart, nobody's going to hear!
0:07:02 > 0:07:03LAUGHTER
0:07:03 > 0:07:06IN US ACCENT: Listen, when I fart, everybody hears!
0:07:06 > 0:07:09But now I can just have a minute to myself.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10Bye!
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Can I give you a hug?
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- Welcome to Chicago! - Well, it's a bit early for hugs!
0:07:19 > 0:07:23But...thank you for the appreciation.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26I usually give all my Airbnb guests a hug, anyway.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- Do you?- Yeah, I really do.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Like hello and goodbye. - You have to remember, I'm English.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- OK.- So we hug at the end of things.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34Oh, wow, OK.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- Not at the beginning.- Well, we're in America, so there you go, right?
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- I have to learn.- Yeah!
0:07:41 > 0:07:44OK, Miriam, we are going to show you the city of Chicago.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46That's a gorgeous car!
0:07:46 > 0:07:47I've never been in a car like this.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49You've never been in a Beetle, convertible?
0:07:49 > 0:07:51In a Beetle, but not a convertible.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Oh, my God, you're going to have the best time.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57So now we're about to get on Lake Shore Drive.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58Don't go too fast!
0:07:58 > 0:08:01It's going to get very windy, and it'll be fun.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Isn't it pretty?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05It's very rare that you would find
0:08:05 > 0:08:07a beach and a lake in a city.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08And that's Navy Pier over there,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10do you see that, with the Ferris wheel?
0:08:10 > 0:08:11Yes, it's amazing.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14And look, there's the Trump building. Do you see that?
0:08:15 > 0:08:16Urgh.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17LAUGHTER
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Would you say you're prejudiced?
0:08:22 > 0:08:24I am prejudiced, indeed I am.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27I'm prejudiced against people who voted for Trump.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29I'm prejudiced against the rich.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31I'm full of prejudice.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33I don't like people who have face-lifts.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36But I've got to get over that,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39because you have to get through the things that divide you.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41And that's the whole point of this.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Look at that beautiful skyline.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Tomorrow, Miriam's going to try to meet some of the people
0:08:48 > 0:08:51who've come from nothing and achieved the American dream.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Nearly 2,000 Americans become millionaires every day.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06And over half of the country's super-rich are self-made.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Larry and Jay have arranged for Miriam to meet a friend of theirs.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16She's a sort of society journalist.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19So she's got her finger on the button of Chicago
0:09:19 > 0:09:21and says, she's running off with so-and-so,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24and this painter is going to be very well-known.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28And I don't mix and muddle with people like that.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30But I'm going to be learning,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32and I believe that she's really shit hot.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Small-town girl made good Candice Jordan
0:09:35 > 0:09:38has infiltrated the world of Chicago's wealthy.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Good morning. Thank you very much.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43As the city's leading gossip columnist,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46she gets into all the best parties.
0:09:46 > 0:09:47Thank you.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49And she's going to get Miriam in, too.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53- Hello.- Hi, Professor Sprout!
0:09:53 > 0:09:54LAUGHTER
0:09:54 > 0:09:56How nice to meet you.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57So nice to meet you!
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Thank you for letting me come and have a chat with you.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- I'm looking forward to it. - I'm thrilled to talk to you.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- Do you get tired of people calling you Professor Sprout?- No!
0:10:06 > 0:10:07I'm thrilled!
0:10:07 > 0:10:09LAUGHTER
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Did they take you on a whirlwind tour?
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Yes! I've been on the...
0:10:14 > 0:10:15..on the railway.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Oh, this is very nice.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- Here, look.- What is that?
0:10:19 > 0:10:20It's called a DOOB,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24and it's an exact replica of my husband and my dog and me!
0:10:25 > 0:10:27- That's spooky.- It is spooky!
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Oh, and I want you to meet my husband.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- As an afterthought! - I'm just an extra.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32LAUGHTER
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Thank you for letting us come into your home.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37It's my pleasure to see you in the flesh.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40So I want to hear a bit about your history.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Would you call your background upper middle,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46lower middle, working class?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Oh, working class, definitely working class.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49My dad was a mailman.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51So you were not affluent?
0:10:51 > 0:10:52Oh!
0:10:52 > 0:10:53SHE SPLUTTERS
0:10:53 > 0:10:55The word didn't even ever enter our vocabulary, no.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Not at all.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00So what was the first job that brought you in some cash?
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Oh, Playboy. Definitely Playboy.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- Playboy!- Oh, my God, yes.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07You were... You were...
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- ..a bunny, as they call it? - I was a bunny in St Louis.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12I started there and there was, like, 16 girls that lived at the mansion.
0:11:12 > 0:11:13So you were part of that stable?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Yeah! Well, I wouldn't call it a stable,
0:11:15 > 0:11:18that sounds a little like something unsavoury!
0:11:18 > 0:11:21But I was an employee that happened to live at the mansion.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- But they weren't whores?- Oh, no! No! - LAUGHTER
0:11:23 > 0:11:26No, but, you know, because people imagine all kinds of things.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- They do!- Did you feel in charge of your destiny?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31100%. I mean, I chose to be with Playboy,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33I was thrilled when they chose me.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35As matter of fact, two weeks ago,
0:11:35 > 0:11:39they asked me to recreate my cover that I did 38 years ago.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Oh, here it is.- Crikey!
0:11:42 > 0:11:43How old were you in that one?
0:11:43 > 0:11:45In 1979, let's see,
0:11:45 > 0:11:46I'm 63 now,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48so I was early 20s.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Have you had plastic surgery and done things?
0:11:52 > 0:11:53No, no, I haven't.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Do you believe in the American dream?
0:11:56 > 0:11:57100%. I think I'm living it.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03Was it luck, or was it because you're very beautiful?
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Genetics 100% help.
0:12:05 > 0:12:06I mean, if I didn't look like this,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08I wouldn't have been asked to be a bunny.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12But I think the biggest factor was having the will to succeed.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15So what do you think of someone like me, who is clearly a bit of a mess?
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Well, I think you're not going to be a mess much longer
0:12:18 > 0:12:19after I get through with you!
0:12:19 > 0:12:22It's hard for other people to understand that
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- I want to look like this. - Oh, I know! You're adorable.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27I wouldn't change a thing about you.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29This is just a little enhancement.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30LAUGHTER
0:12:30 > 0:12:33US ACCENT: A little enhancement I could probably do with!
0:12:33 > 0:12:35LAUGHTER
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Candice is planning to take Miriam
0:12:39 > 0:12:41to a charity fundraiser at the Arts Institute.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45It will be full of the city's leading entrepreneurs,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47people who seem to be living the dream.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49And Miriam wants to fit in.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Chicago's Magnificent Mile is home to a string of designer stores.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58If you want to mix with the city's high-flyers,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00this is where you get your outfit.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Do you like shopping for clothes, jewellery?
0:13:04 > 0:13:05No, I loathe it!
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Absolutely LOATHE it.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Even jewellery? Look at how pretty the jewellery is!
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- This is not my kind of experience. - No, not your cup of tea?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Funnily enough,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18I'm more scared going into a dress shop
0:13:18 > 0:13:21than almost anything else.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- Why?- Because it humiliates me.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Because I'm fat.- So now we're going to go right up here.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- OK.- And we're going to see my favourite stylist.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31This is Miriam Margolyes. This is Cynthia.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Hello.- Hello, thank you very much...
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- Oh, my pleasure. - ..for being here this afternoon.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- My pleasure. - She's the best there is.- Oh!
0:13:37 > 0:13:38OK.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43I think that Americans judge people very much
0:13:43 > 0:13:45by their outward appearance.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47I shop in a shop called Marks & Spencer's.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Mm-hm.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Have you ever heard of Marks & Spencer's?
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- No.- Look at that, that's a beautiful colour on you.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57And I think that if I turn up looking like I do now,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59it'll put people off,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01and they'll just think that I'm slightly mad or...
0:14:03 > 0:14:05..disadvantaged in some way.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07This is 1,195.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08But it doesn't have any pockets!
0:14:08 > 0:14:11And how can they charge that much when there's no...?
0:14:11 > 0:14:13It's hardly there! I don't get it.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17You cannot make clothes without pockets.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20What, do you put pencils and things in them?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- No, but you put hankies and hotel room tickets.- Oh, that's true,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- yeah, that's true.- I could see you wearing something like this.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Oh, my God, I love that. I'll take that. Let me look at that.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- Can you see me...?- Yeah. - See, it's got little lipsticks!
0:14:30 > 0:14:32But look at my tits! They're hanging out!
0:14:32 > 0:14:34But they have lips now.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35Lips!
0:14:35 > 0:14:36Tits with lips!
0:14:36 > 0:14:38LAUGHTER
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Now I want to know how much it costs.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- Give it to me.- About 8,000.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43- Oh, I've got to sit down!- 8,000!
0:14:43 > 0:14:468,000? Somebody's made a mistake!
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- It's gorgeous.- Yeah, that's nice. It's just for another person.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52It's not for me because of my tits.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Rich people don't have breasts.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57It's one of those funny things.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- They've evolved... - I must be very poor!
0:14:59 > 0:15:00Look, you haven't got breasts!
0:15:00 > 0:15:01LAUGHTER
0:15:01 > 0:15:03I would like to think I do have some!
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Tits just, you know...
0:15:05 > 0:15:08I can see that it's going to be very difficult for me
0:15:08 > 0:15:11to find anything in America that's going to go round my body.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Oh, no, no, no. That's not true. There's other areas in this store.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19That's nice.
0:15:19 > 0:15:20It is nice.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- I wonder if I could get into that. - Let's try it. I think you should.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25I love this. And this is dressy.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27LAUGHTER
0:15:27 > 0:15:31They don't like unconventional things in America.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I really make that judgment.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39It fits you!
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- Is it nice?- That's beautiful!
0:15:41 > 0:15:44They feel threatened by,
0:15:44 > 0:15:48or disapprove of somebody standing out...
0:15:49 > 0:15:50Well?
0:15:50 > 0:15:52So I liked those.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56..unless it's the conventional, beautiful way.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- Well, this is 298.- And 278.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02OK. Please may I buy the two black outfits?
0:16:02 > 0:16:03- With pleasure.- You did it!
0:16:03 > 0:16:05High five! Whoop whoop!
0:16:05 > 0:16:07LAUGHTER
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Miriam's transformation is not yet complete.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- This is Charles Ifergan. - What a pleasure to meet you.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- What are we going to do today? - Well, we're going to enhance Miriam.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Candice has booked Miriam an appointment with Charles,
0:16:22 > 0:16:24her own French hairdresser.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26I think all women like having their hair done.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28It's just a...thing we like.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32But I haven't been straddled by a man for a very long time!
0:16:32 > 0:16:33LAUGHTER
0:16:34 > 0:16:36I've forgotten what it's like.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37LAUGHTER
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Thank you so much. Thank you.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Charles came to America in 1969.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46He started off with just 7,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49and now runs a multi-million-dollar hairdressing empire.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52How old were you when you came to America?
0:16:52 > 0:16:53I was 19 years old.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55And why did you come?
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Adventure. America is fabulous, if you come here.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Why is it fabulous?
0:17:00 > 0:17:02It's the freest country in the world.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- You believe that?- Oh, my God!
0:17:05 > 0:17:08What country in the world allows you to burn your own flag
0:17:08 > 0:17:10and not go to prison?
0:17:10 > 0:17:11What country in the world allows you to say
0:17:11 > 0:17:13what we say about our president?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I think people view America in a very negative way.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21This is an incredible country.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It's time now for make-up.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25OK.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26Looks fabulous.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- What is your name?- Halina. - Halina.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32You're doing my moustache!
0:17:32 > 0:17:35We call it upper lip on a woman, not a moustache!
0:17:35 > 0:17:36LAUGHTER
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Are you from Czechoslovakia?
0:17:38 > 0:17:39No, I'm from Poland.
0:17:39 > 0:17:40Oh, Poland, OK.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43So, are you an American citizen?
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Yes, I am. I got married.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- To an American?- Yes.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Did you love him, or was it just to get the citizenship?
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I loved him. I loved him. Just it didn't work, seriously!
0:17:54 > 0:17:57I was very romantic, maybe too romantic.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59Now we are going to highlighter,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02so you're going to look a little bit like Melania Trump.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03Don't you make me look like her!
0:18:03 > 0:18:04LAUGHTER
0:18:04 > 0:18:07If you look nice, it gives you confidence.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09I mean, that's why rich people look different.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- How do you mean? - They look confident.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Cos they've spent a fortune on their appearance.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18Like Marilyn Monroe.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21This is my favourite red.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22Well, it's the best.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26If you're going to wear a lipstick, don't pussyfoot around with pink,
0:18:26 > 0:18:28you know? Get on with it!
0:18:28 > 0:18:30LAUGHTER
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Miriam, you look so beautiful.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35I feel strange.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- Really?- Because it's too elegant.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39You look like a Hollywood movie star.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41I know, that's what worries me!
0:18:41 > 0:18:43LAUGHTER
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- How do you feel?- Rather disturbed!
0:18:47 > 0:18:49I liked them so much,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52but I don't really like looking like this.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56This is not...me.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Now I'd just like to go home and wipe it all off.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Really? Why?
0:19:01 > 0:19:02Because it's not me!
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Invitations to tonight's fundraiser have gone out to
0:19:08 > 0:19:11nearly a thousand of Chicago's elite.
0:19:12 > 0:19:13People who like to support the arts,
0:19:13 > 0:19:14and dress up.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17Candice!
0:19:20 > 0:19:22I'm so pleased to see you.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24I'm so pleased to see you, too.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27And look at you, all dressed up, ready for the party.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Yeah, well, I didn't want to embarrass you, did I?
0:19:29 > 0:19:31You would never embarrass me.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34I can see some canapes wafting about.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35What is that?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Vegetarian pot stickers.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Vegetarian pot stickers?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- Yes.- I think I'm just going to have one of those.- Yup.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Can I barge in on your conversation?
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- Sure.- Would that be acceptable?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Yeah.- What's your business, what do you do?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00I actually own my own business.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I'm in the salt business. The rock salt business.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06So, when it snows and you put rock salt on the ground
0:20:06 > 0:20:10so that people don't slip, and cars can drive, that's...
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- I sell that product.- Well, I would never have guessed that.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15LAUGHTER
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Corporate America allowed me to... be an entrepreneur.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21And that wasn't the family business?
0:20:21 > 0:20:22No.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Isn't she brilliant?
0:20:24 > 0:20:25SHE LAUGHS
0:20:25 > 0:20:28So, you're living the dream, aren't you?
0:20:28 > 0:20:30You're living the American dream.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32You said, "I want to do this," and you did it.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35I guess you could say that. I wouldn't go that far, though!
0:20:35 > 0:20:37But it is, you know...
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Chicago inspires people.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- Clearly.- Living in Chicago is kind of like a bubble.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44I rarely see elderly people.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50It's very rare that I'm out of the element of 25-45,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53it's just like this bubble of adults in a very similar...
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- You know, in a way, we all live in our own little bubble.- Yes.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- What was that like?- Well, I always want to talk to the women.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02And it was interesting.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05They were successful, they were thoughtful.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08And very secure in their world.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12One of them's actually said, you know, I live in a bubble.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13And I think that's...
0:21:13 > 0:21:16..probably true of almost everybody here.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17They live in their own bubble.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20When they're all very confident,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23and they are the sort of people who really want to be here,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27this is, for them, a really nice time.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28What's it like for you?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Not quite such a nice time.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37I'm not totally at home with very wealthy people.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40I think I want to go home now!
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Money is the great divider in America.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48This is a sunny world.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53This is a relaxed and cheerful, slightly tipsy world.
0:21:54 > 0:22:00I think I need to see... a grittier, grimier part of Chicago.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04A place of the have-nots.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05What do you mean?
0:22:05 > 0:22:06These are the haves.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Now we need to see the have-nots.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17The city is on pace to have its deadliest year in decades.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Since 2001, more people have been killed in Chicago
0:22:20 > 0:22:23than the number of Americans who were killed in the wars
0:22:23 > 0:22:25in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Chicago PD is blaming street gangs for the rise in homicide cases...
0:22:29 > 0:22:33It's estimated that in Chicago a person is shot every two hours.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37The majority of these shootings happen
0:22:37 > 0:22:39on the south side of the city.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Miriam wants to leave Larry and Jay's,
0:22:41 > 0:22:42and head there to investigate.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46What's going to happen in the south?
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- South side, is it rough?- Well...
0:22:48 > 0:22:49Nice knowing you!
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Just kidding, just kidding, just kidding.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54No, but, it's tough?
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Are you really, you're really going there?
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Yeah. We're going to church there.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00OK. And how are you getting there?
0:23:00 > 0:23:04Well, I hope you're going to take me in your nice car.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06JAY LAUGHS
0:23:06 > 0:23:07You're a bit uncertain about that!
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Of course I'm going to take you.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Are you off?
0:23:12 > 0:23:13Yeah, I'm off.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14- OK.- OK.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17Thanks for everything.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19My goodness, Miriam.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Do you think you'll keep the roof down?
0:23:23 > 0:23:26You know Miriam, it doesn't matter whether the roof is up or down,
0:23:26 > 0:23:28if they want us, they're going to get us.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Oh! That's encouraging!
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Do you think the feeling about this part of Chicago
0:23:35 > 0:23:37is a bit...over the top?
0:23:37 > 0:23:39I mean, is it really dangerous?
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Unfortunately, we are going to the highest crime area in Chicago.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45So...
0:23:47 > 0:23:50..realistically, anything can happen.
0:23:51 > 0:23:57Most Chicagoans and Americans never see Inglewood except on the news.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02I've never been in this area before.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04And I've lived here all my life.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Well, I think that's a pity.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Oh, this is the church.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11OK, Miriam, be safe.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13I'll do my best!
0:24:13 > 0:24:14Thanks for the ride.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Of course, my pleasure.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21New Beginnings Church is attempting to bring a sense of community
0:24:21 > 0:24:23to one of the city's most dangerous neighbourhoods.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27How are you? Lovely to meet you at New Beginnings.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- We give love here. We don't shake hands.- You don't mess around!
0:24:30 > 0:24:33We don't shake hands, we give the real stuff in the beginning.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36God bless you, welcome to New Beginnings.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38And this is some of the things that we give out.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I'm just going to give you a handful of these,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43you just say God bless you and welcome to New Beginnings,
0:24:43 > 0:24:44with a smile!
0:24:44 > 0:24:45- I will do it.- Can you do that?
0:24:45 > 0:24:46LAUGHTER
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Welcome to the New Beginnings Church.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50Give her a hug.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51- Can we have a hug?- Yes.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54Thank you.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- How are you? - I'm very happy to be with you.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Have you ever had so many hugs?
0:25:00 > 0:25:01Never in my life!
0:25:01 > 0:25:04My name is Miriam. May I give you one of these?
0:25:04 > 0:25:06- Yes, thank you.- As part of the welcome to the church.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07Well, I'm this guy.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09- I haven't got my glasses on.- Ha-ha!
0:25:09 > 0:25:11- What does it say?- Corey Brooks.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Oh, you're the pastor?
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- I'm the pastor.- Thank you for letting me come.- Thank you!
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- Now give her a hug, Pastor. - Oh, yes. Thank you.
0:25:18 > 0:25:19You know I'm a Jewish girl?
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- Oh, really?- Yup.- It's definitely not like the synagogue,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- so you're going to... - Oh, no, I know. You have joy here!
0:25:25 > 0:25:28And in the synagogue, we have gloom. It's very gloomy.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31It's just a different type of joy, you know?
0:25:31 > 0:25:32- We're a lot more vibrant.- Yeah.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34# I'm free!
0:25:34 > 0:25:36# Free from insecurities
0:25:36 > 0:25:37# Free!
0:25:37 > 0:25:39# The Lord helped me to be
0:25:39 > 0:25:40# Free!
0:25:40 > 0:25:41# Ain't no stopping me
0:25:41 > 0:25:43# I'm free!
0:25:43 > 0:25:45# Freedom... #
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- Are you religious? - I am not religious.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55It's complicated, because I don't believe in Jesus.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00I believe that he was a superb political leader...
0:26:01 > 0:26:02..but was he the son of God?
0:26:02 > 0:26:03For me, no.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07But he did have a message of inclusiveness.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10And I think that's... a wonderful message.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12# Freedom! #
0:26:12 > 0:26:13And I think that it's a comfort.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17And we need comfort in our lives.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22When I found out that it was kids...
0:26:23 > 0:26:25..who live in this neighbourhood...
0:26:25 > 0:26:26Yep, tell em, Pastor.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30..but they scared to walk two blocks...
0:26:30 > 0:26:31Yes, come on!
0:26:31 > 0:26:32Come on, Pastor!
0:26:32 > 0:26:34That's right!
0:26:34 > 0:26:36..tears swelled up in my eyes.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39And I thought, what a prison!
0:26:39 > 0:26:41- CHEERS OF:- Yeah!
0:26:42 > 0:26:45APPLAUSE
0:26:47 > 0:26:50You know this phrase "the American dream"?
0:26:50 > 0:26:51Yeah.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Is that available to people on the south side?
0:26:55 > 0:26:58There are a lot of people who are not experiencing the American dream,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00unfortunately.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02So it's racism and...money?
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I think it's more... economics than anything.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I think that the colour's not black or white
0:27:07 > 0:27:09but it's green - green, money.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I remember that, it's not black or white, it's green.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16There are a lot of individuals who don't have the resources,
0:27:16 > 0:27:17they don't have a job,
0:27:17 > 0:27:19they don't have the means to take care of a family,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21and that drives the crime.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23You can't create businesses,
0:27:23 > 0:27:25it causes educational systems to be failing
0:27:25 > 0:27:27cos we can't have proper schools.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29And so we need a better economy.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Until almost 1950,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35strict housing policies effectively meant segregation.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40Black Americans coming to Chicago in search of their fortune
0:27:40 > 0:27:42were only able to live on the south side.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Many have been unable to make it out.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Miriam wants to find out if the American dream can still be dreamt,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54south side.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58I'm looking at a place called O Block,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02which is a housing development in Chicago on the south side.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07It once was the home of Michelle Obama,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10who has certainly lived the American dream, because...
0:28:12 > 0:28:13..she's not there any more.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18It's considered the most dangerous block in Chicago.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20But I'm going to go there today.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25There is a certain amount of danger in going here.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28You know, I was told, don't go south side.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Why not? Because it's dangerous.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Why is it dangerous?
0:28:32 > 0:28:33"Because poor people live there,
0:28:33 > 0:28:35"and they'll shoot you."
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Well, I don't believe that.
0:28:38 > 0:28:39So I'm... I'm here.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Throughout the south side are social housing developments
0:28:44 > 0:28:45known as projects.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Each one tends to be home to a different gang.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Violence between the gangs means it's unsafe for Miriam
0:28:52 > 0:28:54to be filmed there without security.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Pastor Corey from the church has put her in touch with AZ.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02We're in a fairly dodgy area, I understand.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Yes, a very high-intense area.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- Very high-intense. - Are you my security?
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Yes, I am, I'm your personal executive protection officer.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Have you had to deal with incidents?
0:29:13 > 0:29:14On many occasions.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Hmm.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19I noticed that there were some guys in there
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- who had bulletproof vests on. - Yes, ma'am.
0:29:22 > 0:29:23Do I need one?
0:29:24 > 0:29:25No.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26I'm your vest.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Wow.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33Security man AZ has told Miriam to wait in the car.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38He's arranging a meeting with SP.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39SP lives on O Block
0:29:39 > 0:29:43and was a member of one of Chicago's most dangerous street gangs,
0:29:43 > 0:29:44the Black Disciples.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Fearing he's on a rival gang hit list,
0:29:48 > 0:29:52SP will only agree to meet Miriam next to O Block
0:29:52 > 0:29:54in an abandoned supermarket parking lot.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58Who is this?
0:30:00 > 0:30:01Oh, that's SP.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- Hey.- Did you not want to meet outside of here?
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Not directly on the street.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10That's too open, a little bit, for me.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Someone riding past, see us, they'd probably try to take a shot.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16It's just a probability, so I don't want to risk that.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- Hi.- Hi, how are you doing? Oh, yeah, I recognise you.- You do?
0:30:20 > 0:30:23I'm a fan, of Harry Potter, like, I'm a huge fan.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28You just have to see me as a little old fat lady come to visit.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Just coming to visit.
0:30:30 > 0:30:31What's your life been?
0:30:31 > 0:30:35I grew up probably different than what people'd be used to.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38I didn't have, I always had to go get.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42So you were sort of fending for yourself from when you were how old?
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Yeah, fending, basically...
0:30:44 > 0:30:46I started selling drugs, I was, like, 12 years old.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48- You were selling drugs?! - Yeah, that's how I got my money.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50My hair should go up on end!
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Yeah, that's how I got my money, so, like...
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Well, you were making a lot of money, then?
0:30:54 > 0:30:55Yeah, I was making a lot of money.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57And what did you do with the money?
0:30:57 > 0:30:58I lived.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00I thought I was living, so...
0:31:00 > 0:31:03But I... You know. Party, drunk, women.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Like, now I've got seven kids, I'm 29.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07Well, you're a handsome young man.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09- I try to be. - Even I, I'm a gay woman...
0:31:09 > 0:31:11HE LAUGHS I can see you're handsome!
0:31:13 > 0:31:15You're making me blush, don't make me blush.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17But like, I had to open my eyes because...
0:31:18 > 0:31:20..I recently here got stabbed up real bad.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21Yeah.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- Tell me about that.- Yeah, uh...
0:31:24 > 0:31:26one of my baby mothers,
0:31:26 > 0:31:29we got into it, and she just inked me up.
0:31:29 > 0:31:3132 staples from here on down.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34So then a thought came, like, well, you almost died.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Like, all that stuff I come from,
0:31:37 > 0:31:40all the money I've seen, I don't care about none of that.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42I wants to be here to raise my kids.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Where we're standing now, it's like a car park or something.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Yeah, it's a parking lot.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51- What happens if we go out onto the street?- Well...
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- Well...- Are you safe there?
0:31:53 > 0:31:55It feels like you're trapped here.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Right here, at this light, that's where the opposite gangs come from.
0:31:58 > 0:31:59Walking up there, it's just like,
0:31:59 > 0:32:00you basically playing...
0:32:02 > 0:32:04..the bullet with the one gun.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07- Just crossing into their territory...- A few steps away.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10- ..means that they have the right to shoot you?- No, they don't...
0:32:10 > 0:32:11You know... Nah, it's not legal.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13But I just don't trust people.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16You don't trust people. Why?
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Cos they... I see what they've done.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20The guy came from right in this alley and just started shooting.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23My friend, he actually got killed right here on the side
0:32:23 > 0:32:25- of this walk-through, right here. - In the middle of the day?
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Middle of the day, morning... Ain't no set schedule for this.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32I'm not going to lie to you, I've seen probably...
0:32:32 > 0:32:3630 of my friends literally lying...dead.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38I've seen my little brother take his last breath.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41- Your own brother? - Yeah, he got killed.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44I can't say that I'm not depressed...
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- Oh, I don't want you to be depressed.- ..by what you've told me.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48- Yeah.- Imagine what my life has been.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52- So sheltered.- To tell you the truth, I feel like I lived a normal life.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Because it became normal to me.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55When you wake up, like,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58before the end of the summer, am I going to lose another friend?
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- You just accepted it. - I accept it.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05This is a violent neighbourhood and there are people with guns,
0:33:05 > 0:33:10and they're used to using them and shooting people, who are...
0:33:11 > 0:33:12..in their territory.
0:33:13 > 0:33:19I think it's a vicious circle of crime and violence and poverty.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22That is their life.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23It's not a life I want.
0:33:28 > 0:33:3150% of people on the south side are living in poverty.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Unemployment is rife.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34ICE CREAM TRUCK JINGLES
0:33:34 > 0:33:36It makes it difficult for anyone to leave.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Just down the road is Merrill Park.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45After a string of gang-related killings,
0:33:45 > 0:33:47it's now known as Murder Park.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50MUSIC: On Something by Jmac
0:33:50 > 0:33:55AZ is taking Miriam to meet two people who dream of getting rich
0:33:55 > 0:33:57and getting out of Chicago.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01Local rapping brothers Jmac and Tray Tray.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05I don't know what young people think anywhere in the world.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06Hi.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10I just get so irritated because they use the word "like" all the time.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14If you say, it was, like, Tuesday.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17It wasn't "like" Tuesday.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21It was either Monday or Wednesday, or it was Tuesday.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23There is nothing like Tuesday.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25There is only Tuesday.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26Hi.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29And that's what I want to hear from young people.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31Precision of thought.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35And you don't get that unless they are rapping.
0:34:35 > 0:34:41And when they're rapping, they're using words, and it's thrilling.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43- RAPPING:- I come from the trenches.
0:34:43 > 0:34:44I'm just trying to make it out.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Mum's eating steak now, hadn't made her out.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49I ain't going to talk about the feel,
0:34:49 > 0:34:50cos I'm ready in the field,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52it's kill or be killed.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54I ain't got a record deal, but I'm a go and get them Ms.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57By any means necessary, and they don't understand me.
0:34:57 > 0:34:58No, they don't understand me,
0:34:58 > 0:35:01knock his ass down if the boy can't stand me.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- That's cool. - Wow.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- That's a lil' freestyle.- Thank you.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- Yeah. Like it? - Yes, more than like.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- More than like?- Admire. - Admire.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Do you want to... to get out of Chicago?
0:35:15 > 0:35:19The plan is to get out of Chicago, but, you know what I'm saying,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21it ain't going be right away.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22One way or another, you got to get out.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Because if you don't, they gon... it's going to drag us down.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27They can put us right here. Under the ground.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Some people don't make it out to survive, you feel me?
0:35:29 > 0:35:31But why would you want to kill someone?
0:35:31 > 0:35:34It's not like you want to kill, it's kill or be killed.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Like I said in the rap, it's kill or be killed.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39If you don't kill, you going to get killed.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- And I ain't going to let my mother see me...- Kill or be killed?
0:35:42 > 0:35:44It doesn't make sense.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46It's all about revenge. If you take one of mine,
0:35:46 > 0:35:47we got to take two of yours.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49That's the same way they thinking. They gon take...
0:35:49 > 0:35:51If we take one of theirs, they've got to take two of ours.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Well, somebody should stop that.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56That's why you try to get rich. That's why you've got to move away.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Are you carrying guns now?
0:35:58 > 0:35:59Yeah.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Well...
0:36:01 > 0:36:03I hope the safety catch is on.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05- Because...- Yeah.
0:36:05 > 0:36:06That's scary.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Hey, hold off, man, hold up.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11I haven't been in a place with so many men in my life.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- Miriam, this is Wax right here.- Hi.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15Hiya, how you doing, ma'am?
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Chicago has always been violent.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21And there's always been inequality in Chicago.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23You know, unfortunately,
0:36:23 > 0:36:25blacks has always been like the proletariats,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28the downtrodden, those people...
0:36:28 > 0:36:29At the bottom of the pile.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Absolutely. They're just, we're going give them the leftovers.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34How do we break it?
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Good question. How do we break the cycle?
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- Yeah.- Of ignorance and poverty and destruction.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40- Yeah.- And crime.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Treat us equal.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45- Treat us as equals. - We need more programmes.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49But, you know, after doing 18 years and three months in prison...
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Oh, Jesus, you must have killed someone.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55I... I was convicted, I was convicted,
0:36:55 > 0:36:56and I want to say this,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58I want to say this, because,
0:36:58 > 0:37:00my homie, he was just exonerated,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03and he always say you've got to always emphasise
0:37:03 > 0:37:05that you were innocent.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08- Which I was.- But 18 years, is that a waste of your life?
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Well, it's kind of like a gift and a curse.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Did you learn anything in jail?
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- I learnt a massive amount in prison.- Yeah?
0:37:17 > 0:37:18Yeah, I was able to really...
0:37:18 > 0:37:20You know, in prison, education is free.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21Right?
0:37:21 > 0:37:25So I got my GED, I got two college certificates, I got my degree.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27And I did all of this because I said to myself,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31when I come out of here, my education is going to be my guide.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36So do you believe in the American dream, this phrase that we all hear?
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Is it true, is there such a thing?
0:37:38 > 0:37:40To a lot of us, it's an American nightmare, because we start...
0:37:40 > 0:37:42We've got to pay for our education.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46It's not an equal race, you understand what I'm saying?
0:37:46 > 0:37:49If it was an equal race, like we all start...
0:37:51 > 0:37:52..you know, at the beginning line.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54No, we start, like, ten miles in the back.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- NARRATOR:- One of the rappers' associates has been filming Miriam
0:37:59 > 0:38:01and posting it on social media.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05AZ is worried that rival gangs now know where they are,
0:38:05 > 0:38:07and Miriam could get caught in an attack.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Oh, we've got... I've got to go, I've got to go.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11He insists that she leaves.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14It puts them in danger and their family members in danger.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- And us in danger.- Oh, my goodness. - So we're gonna leave.
0:38:25 > 0:38:26See y'all.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32Well, I feel full of admiration for the young men that I spoke to,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35who were remarkably articulate.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Not just in their rap, which was thrilling.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42But I felt angry at the end,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46to think that I was having to move fast
0:38:46 > 0:38:50because of some tacky little gang somewhere...
0:38:51 > 0:38:54..who thinks they can throw their weight around.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56I mean, I have no doubt that if I lived in this place,
0:38:56 > 0:38:58I would be murdered,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00because I can't keep my bloody mouth shut.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04But, you know, they're just contemptible people
0:39:04 > 0:39:07who think they can push you around like that.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09I'm not used to it, and I don't like it.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13With Miriam safe,
0:39:13 > 0:39:17AZ returns to pick up the crew car from where she met SP.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20It's cordoned off.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22In the last ten minutes, there's been a shooting.
0:39:38 > 0:39:39Is this unusual?
0:39:39 > 0:39:40No, sir.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57What do you know? What's happened?
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Three people were shot, two females and a male.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04On average, one child is killed in Chicago every week.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09First response charity workers try to support the victims' families.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Would it be fair to say that everybody in this area
0:40:13 > 0:40:15- knows somebody who's been shot? - Absolutely.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Every one.
0:40:17 > 0:40:18EVERYONE.
0:40:20 > 0:40:21This is no big deal.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23Do they look upset?
0:40:24 > 0:40:25Do the people...?
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Did the kids stop bouncing the basketball at any point?
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Did any parents pull the kids in?
0:40:31 > 0:40:34If there was a shooting outside your house and you were a kid,
0:40:34 > 0:40:36would your mum let you stand out there and hang out and watch it?
0:40:37 > 0:40:39It's almost no big deal.
0:40:42 > 0:40:47Somebody was killed in the place where I'd been standing
0:40:47 > 0:40:48a few hours before.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51I don't have any...
0:40:51 > 0:40:53..anything clever to say about it,
0:40:53 > 0:40:54I just think it's awful.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58Kill or be killed.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00The American dream
0:41:00 > 0:41:02has become the American nightmare.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04That's what they said.
0:41:04 > 0:41:05The American nightmare.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Well, it is. It is a nightmare.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14The American dream is not available to everybody.
0:41:16 > 0:41:22And it'll be a long time before the dream can come to the projects.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26But until it does,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28I don't think anybody else has a right to a dream.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32If I were American,
0:41:32 > 0:41:37I couldn't sleep easily knowing that children were being slaughtered...
0:41:39 > 0:41:43..in the second-biggest city in this country.
0:41:45 > 0:41:46Maybe third biggest.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49It is not acceptable.
0:41:54 > 0:41:55What does that tell you?
0:41:56 > 0:41:59It tells me the journey's not done yet,
0:41:59 > 0:42:00and I need to go to bed.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Miriam's getting back on the road,
0:42:08 > 0:42:12continuing her thousand-mile journey down to New Orleans.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14I think I'll have a radish.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17To just perk myself up.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25I'm onto the next leg of my exploration.
0:42:25 > 0:42:26Through the heartland.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It's exciting. I had a good time in Chicago
0:42:29 > 0:42:32but I want to see more of this extraordinary country.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36It is...completely baffling to me, this country.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39At this moment, I'm baffled by it.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Miriam's leaving the inner city behind
0:42:42 > 0:42:45and covering the 180 miles south,
0:42:45 > 0:42:49to the rural plains of the neighbouring state Indiana.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51As she heads deeper into middle America,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54she wants to find out why people from all over the world
0:42:54 > 0:42:56are desperate to become Americans.
0:42:59 > 0:43:00What's for lunch?
0:43:01 > 0:43:03I'm going to have some sushi.
0:43:04 > 0:43:05Well, I got a big onion...
0:43:07 > 0:43:08..in Chicago, so...
0:43:10 > 0:43:12..that'll last me for a bit.
0:43:13 > 0:43:14- Hello.- Hello.
0:43:14 > 0:43:15Come on.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18I'm just being nosy, wondering what you guys are doing.
0:43:18 > 0:43:19Well, come and sit down and be nosy!
0:43:20 > 0:43:22Don't talk to them, talk to me!
0:43:22 > 0:43:25- Oh, my God.- Talk to me!
0:43:25 > 0:43:26Yes, ma'am.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28How does it feel now...
0:43:29 > 0:43:31..for you to be an American?
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Are you proud of being an American citizen?
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Well, first of all, my name is Antono Ricardo Rabon,
0:43:38 > 0:43:40I'm classified as a minority,
0:43:40 > 0:43:42so if it wasn't for Martin Luther King, I wouldn't be shit.
0:43:43 > 0:43:46I'd just be another hillbilly from Kentucky, making liquor.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51- Let's be real.- What was the difference that he made?
0:43:51 > 0:43:53Martin Luther King was for everybody.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56Opportunity for everybody, not just the well-to-do and the connected.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59Do you think that's part of the American dream, that anybody can...?
0:43:59 > 0:44:00Absolutely.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02And is it alive and well, now?
0:44:02 > 0:44:04Yes. Yes.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07When you go north, go north about two miles,
0:44:07 > 0:44:10and go to the little gas stations with the little convenience stores,
0:44:10 > 0:44:12and there are people from Jordan, Syria...
0:44:13 > 0:44:16..Pakistan, Palestine. They run those businesses.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20They work hard. Indians, they work their asses off.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24Because it's a better life than what they had.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26- Have a blessed day. Thank you. - You, too.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29Every year, around a million people are issued the green card
0:44:29 > 0:44:32that gives them the opportunity to live and work in America.
0:44:34 > 0:44:35To ensure diversity,
0:44:35 > 0:44:3950,000 green cards are given out in a government lottery.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42But after recent terror attacks,
0:44:42 > 0:44:44Trump is trying to change things.
0:44:44 > 0:44:48We must immediately suspend immigration
0:44:48 > 0:44:53from any nation that has been compromised by terrorism.
0:44:53 > 0:44:54I am, today,
0:44:54 > 0:44:59starting the process of terminating the diversity lottery programme.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01Diversity lottery.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05Sounds nice. It's not nice. It's not good.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07Confusion as to what the future holds
0:45:07 > 0:45:08has led to a startling increase
0:45:08 > 0:45:11in the number of people already in the country
0:45:11 > 0:45:15rushing to become permanently naturalized US citizens.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19I'm going to meet someone who is...
0:45:20 > 0:45:22..becoming an American.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24He's from the Congo, I understand.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27So he's African.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29And he's choosing to become American.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34And it's coming up towards Independence Day,
0:45:34 > 0:45:36and it's rather nice to be in America for that.
0:45:37 > 0:45:39They really care about it.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43I mean, I don't really care about St George's Day.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46I think it's nice, but I don't really...
0:45:46 > 0:45:47..go a bundle on it.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53Miriam's arrived in a small suburb of the state capital Indianapolis,
0:45:53 > 0:45:54called Geist.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58It's almost like a gated community, this.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00It's too neat, too tidy.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05I've never been anybody who's liked lots of flags.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07I don't like the Olympic Games
0:46:07 > 0:46:09because it's all about flags.
0:46:09 > 0:46:10What's wrong with flags?
0:46:12 > 0:46:13They separate people.
0:46:14 > 0:46:16- SAT NAV:- You have reached your destination.
0:46:16 > 0:46:17It is on your left.
0:46:17 > 0:46:1926 years ago,
0:46:19 > 0:46:23Jose Lucende escaped the brutal dictatorship in the Congo
0:46:23 > 0:46:24for a better life in America.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27It might be the one where the flag's flying, do you think?
0:46:28 > 0:46:30He's now a university fundraiser.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34This week, Jose's American dream will be completed
0:46:34 > 0:46:36as he becomes an official US citizen.
0:46:37 > 0:46:39He's celebrating with his neighbours.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42Oh, you are here! The BBC team is here!
0:46:42 > 0:46:44- Yes.- Welcome!
0:46:44 > 0:46:46Yes, you're going to join us to eat, eh?
0:46:46 > 0:46:47- You bet!- Yes!
0:46:48 > 0:46:50Did you notice the flag?
0:46:50 > 0:46:51It's hard to miss it.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54Yes. It's like landing on the moon.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57When the man landed on the moon.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59So it's like, OK, Jose landed in America.
0:47:01 > 0:47:02Everything is symbolic.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05I've got you a globe here.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07This is where I was born, the Congo.
0:47:08 > 0:47:09In the midst of the jungle.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11If you look at it on Google Earth,
0:47:11 > 0:47:12you can see nothing but jungle.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16For a kid who was born in the jungle,
0:47:16 > 0:47:19to live here and to live my American dream,
0:47:19 > 0:47:20it's amazing.
0:47:20 > 0:47:24My story will never happen in any other place in the world
0:47:24 > 0:47:25but here.
0:47:25 > 0:47:26This is me as a teenager.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28Handsome boy!
0:47:28 > 0:47:30This is when I first came to America.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33It says, "Everything started 1974,
0:47:33 > 0:47:35"when Muhammad Ali and George Foreman
0:47:35 > 0:47:36"fought The Rumble In The Jungle,
0:47:36 > 0:47:39"and I used to look a little bit like Ali, as you can see."
0:47:39 > 0:47:42- Oh, you think so? - I have some features of Ali.
0:47:42 > 0:47:44He is my hero.
0:47:44 > 0:47:45- Look.- Yes.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48Well, he was a person worthy of being a hero.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50- He was.- I bought a lot of flags.
0:47:50 > 0:47:52LAUGHTER
0:47:52 > 0:47:54And I'm giving to everybody.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56When you see this flag or any other flag,
0:47:56 > 0:47:58I want you to remember these seven words.
0:47:58 > 0:48:04Never ever take this country for granted.
0:48:04 > 0:48:05I know it's not perfect,
0:48:05 > 0:48:08but the United States of America is still the best country
0:48:08 > 0:48:09on the face of the Earth.
0:48:09 > 0:48:10Brenda's a singer.
0:48:10 > 0:48:14- ALL:- # God bless America
0:48:14 > 0:48:17# Land that I love
0:48:17 > 0:48:18# Stand beside her... #
0:48:18 > 0:48:21Jose seems quite excited.
0:48:21 > 0:48:27He's just thrilled to bits with the reality of his dream.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30His dream was to come to America and be an American,
0:48:30 > 0:48:32and tomorrow it's coming true.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35He's lucky that he's got money, clearly,
0:48:35 > 0:48:38and he's educated, and he's happily married,
0:48:38 > 0:48:39and he's got lovely children.
0:48:39 > 0:48:45But I just feel that they're missing a lot here,
0:48:45 > 0:48:47and that disturbs me.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50# ..Sweet...
0:48:50 > 0:48:53- # ..home! # - CHEERING
0:48:53 > 0:48:56They believe America's the greatest country in the world.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59I do not believe that.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01- Why?- Because it isn't!
0:49:02 > 0:49:06Because there is horrible crime and deprivation here.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09America cherish their liberty,
0:49:09 > 0:49:12but it's also the spirit of yes, we can do this.
0:49:12 > 0:49:13We can handle it.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15When there is a fire here,
0:49:15 > 0:49:17before the fire truck comes,
0:49:17 > 0:49:19the neighbours will come.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21That's America. That's how this country was built.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23I hope that it's everywhere.
0:49:23 > 0:49:24I don't think it's just America.
0:49:24 > 0:49:26More here than anywhere else in the world.
0:49:26 > 0:49:28You see this world where there's natural disasters
0:49:28 > 0:49:31happening around the world. Who goes there first?
0:49:31 > 0:49:34Well, you're going to tell me the Americans.
0:49:34 > 0:49:35The Americans.
0:49:35 > 0:49:37There is no other place in the world, again,
0:49:37 > 0:49:40- because of the historical uniqueness...- No, I challenge you.
0:49:40 > 0:49:41- I challenge you.- Please do!
0:49:41 > 0:49:44The most generous nation in the world,
0:49:44 > 0:49:46per head of population,
0:49:46 > 0:49:48are the Northern Irish.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51This is not to say that Americans are not generous,
0:49:51 > 0:49:52because we know that they are.
0:49:52 > 0:49:55But it's not just an American...
0:49:56 > 0:49:59..trait to care about people in trouble.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01You don't have a monopoly of generosity,
0:50:01 > 0:50:03and you want to remember that.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06Because one of the things that we don't like
0:50:06 > 0:50:07is when Americans tell us that...
0:50:08 > 0:50:10..they're the best country in the world
0:50:10 > 0:50:13and they're better than any other country. You don't know that.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16I would never say that Britain was the best country in the world,
0:50:16 > 0:50:17because I don't know!
0:50:17 > 0:50:18I think they're a bit shocked.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20- Good.- Why?
0:50:21 > 0:50:24Because...
0:50:24 > 0:50:26it riles me, this certainty.
0:50:27 > 0:50:28I can't have it.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32This morning, at a ceremony in Indianapolis,
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Jose will become one of 97 new Americans.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41They've all passed a ten-step naturalization exam
0:50:41 > 0:50:43proving they're English speakers
0:50:43 > 0:50:46with a good knowledge of American history and government.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50I've been talking about the American dream.
0:50:51 > 0:50:58And this ceremony is... the American dream come true.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02How are you doing, sir? I need the letter and the permit register.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04Jose, he's a very sweet man,
0:51:04 > 0:51:08but he's so uncritical of America.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10All righty.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13I just don't see how you can be.
0:51:13 > 0:51:14I'm critical of everything.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16That's my nature.
0:51:16 > 0:51:17Please silence your cellphones.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19We are getting ready to start.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21If everyone could please have a seat.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25- Miriam! How are you? - Hi! Good. How are you feeling?
0:51:25 > 0:51:27Excited. And mixed emotions, too, eh?
0:51:27 > 0:51:30- Yes.- With giving up the Congolese nationality today...
0:51:30 > 0:51:33I'm not a Congolese citizen any more. In 20 minutes.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36- In 20 minutes!- Well, you're the same, the same man you always were.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39- Yes.- But with something extra.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42The Honourable Sarah Evans Barker, Judge, presiding.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45This is a very happy day...
0:51:46 > 0:51:50..and we are gathered here to usher into citizenship,
0:51:50 > 0:51:53as members of the national family,
0:51:53 > 0:51:5697 new Americans.
0:52:04 > 0:52:06You've made it!
0:52:06 > 0:52:09# Oh, beautiful
0:52:09 > 0:52:13# For spacious skies... #
0:52:13 > 0:52:15We all see clearly, all of us here, don't we,
0:52:15 > 0:52:18that the rewards of living in our country have to be earned?
0:52:18 > 0:52:20The promises of success and happiness
0:52:20 > 0:52:24that brought you here from far away are achievable,
0:52:24 > 0:52:26but they won't be free
0:52:26 > 0:52:28and they won't come easily.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31What you are receiving in becoming a citizen
0:52:31 > 0:52:33is the opportunity to flourish.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Not the guarantee.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37# America
0:52:38 > 0:52:41# America... #
0:52:41 > 0:52:46Out of many birthplaces, we are one.
0:52:46 > 0:52:48Anyone here from Argentina?
0:52:49 > 0:52:50Oh, right away!
0:52:50 > 0:52:53Shake hands. You forgot the handshake.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56- The handshake! - Out of many ancestors...
0:52:57 > 0:52:59..we are one.
0:52:59 > 0:53:01- Burma? Burma! - APPLAUSE
0:53:01 > 0:53:03Did you leave anyone behind in Burma?
0:53:03 > 0:53:05LAUGHTER
0:53:05 > 0:53:07# Oh, beautiful... #
0:53:08 > 0:53:12Out of many relationships, likes, dislikes,
0:53:12 > 0:53:15personalities, out of many...
0:53:15 > 0:53:19we are one.
0:53:19 > 0:53:20Congo, Kinshasa.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23- Oh, here, good. Oh! - APPLAUSE
0:53:24 > 0:53:27# America, America
0:53:27 > 0:53:30# God shed her grace on thee... #
0:53:30 > 0:53:33What a wonderful tie you have on.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37# And crown thy good with sisterhood... #
0:53:37 > 0:53:39APPLAUSE
0:53:42 > 0:53:43You are America.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47- # From sea to shining sea... # - And no-one...
0:53:47 > 0:53:52..no-one can take that away from you.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55May God bless you,
0:53:55 > 0:54:00and make God forever bless the United States of America.
0:54:00 > 0:54:04- I thank you. - CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:54:08 > 0:54:11- I, state your name... - Jose Lucende.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14..hereby declare on oath...
0:54:14 > 0:54:16..hereby declare on oath...
0:54:16 > 0:54:19- Do you know now what it means to be an American?- Oh, yes.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22Oh, yes. I get it. I get it.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24- Congratulations.- Congratulations,
0:54:24 > 0:54:26you're now citizens of the United States.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:54:28 > 0:54:32I've been slightly bogged down by the negative aspects
0:54:32 > 0:54:34that come through the news.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38But when you see the people,
0:54:38 > 0:54:43and when you hear educated people, with a sense of responsibility,
0:54:43 > 0:54:46talking about their country,
0:54:46 > 0:54:50and the obligation that each citizen owes to the country,
0:54:50 > 0:54:58I get a sense of the pride and the reason for the pride in America.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01I didn't get it before.
0:55:02 > 0:55:03Now I do.
0:55:03 > 0:55:05- Wow.- You left the Congo behind today.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08Yes. So now I can say I'm a native of the Congo,
0:55:08 > 0:55:11but I'm a citizen of the United States because I pledge allegiance.
0:55:11 > 0:55:13I took oath.
0:55:13 > 0:55:14- Legally.- Yes, you did.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16In front of a federal judge.
0:55:16 > 0:55:17I said this is my country now.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20I could see that it meant something to you.
0:55:20 > 0:55:22Thank you so very much.
0:55:22 > 0:55:23It meant something to me, too.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25- Thank you.- I was, I was...
0:55:25 > 0:55:26It was moving. I was in tears.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29Me, too! It had a power.
0:55:29 > 0:55:30It did, it did.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32In fact I will ask my family, the day I die,
0:55:32 > 0:55:34to bury me with this flag.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36It has to go in my coffin.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38- Well, we won't talk about dying.- Ha!
0:55:39 > 0:55:40He's thrilled.
0:55:40 > 0:55:42He's buzzing.
0:55:42 > 0:55:43He's ten foot tall.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46This is the biggest moment of his life and it's wonderful!
0:55:49 > 0:55:53To celebrate him becoming American, Jose's invited Miriam
0:55:53 > 0:55:57to the neighbourhood's Fourth of July Independence Day party.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59My first Fourth of July, you know...
0:55:59 > 0:56:02- As an American. - ..as a US citizen.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04- Yes.- And it's big.
0:56:05 > 0:56:06Bigger than big.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08I know. HE LAUGHS
0:56:08 > 0:56:09That's why we got the flag.
0:56:09 > 0:56:10Exactly, exactly!
0:56:10 > 0:56:12- To celebrate.- And I have two flags.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15Do you see my flags? One here, one here.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17- You're covered in flags. - In my head and in my heart.
0:56:18 > 0:56:20- OK.- Thank you, sir. - What a lovely boat.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23When I left Chicago,
0:56:23 > 0:56:27I felt fairly sure that money was what ruled things,
0:56:27 > 0:56:32that decided whether the American dream worked for you or not.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34Oh, that's a lovely one up there.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36Now I'm leaving Indiana.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39I've seen a different side of things.
0:56:39 > 0:56:44I've seen a ceremony where people gloried in becoming American,
0:56:44 > 0:56:48where they felt they had a chance to taste the American dream,
0:56:48 > 0:56:50and they are tasting it,
0:56:50 > 0:56:53and it's very satisfying to see.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57There, I heard the voice of the America that I love.
0:56:58 > 0:57:01The voice of generosity, of welcome, of inclusion,
0:57:01 > 0:57:04of wanting things to be better,
0:57:04 > 0:57:05and that made me feel happy.
0:57:07 > 0:57:09Because that's the America that I remember
0:57:09 > 0:57:10from when I was a little girl.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13The America that stretched out her arms.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18And in Chicago you just see that.
0:57:24 > 0:57:29Miriam's adventure continues south, to find out how Americans are made.
0:57:31 > 0:57:33It's a journey that takes her to summer camp.
0:57:33 > 0:57:37There's something about hundreds of kids screaming
0:57:37 > 0:57:39that drives me mental, actually.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41Let me hear you.
0:57:41 > 0:57:42Trump, Trump, Trump!
0:57:42 > 0:57:45And into the jail run by a Trump-loving sheriff.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47Her name is Miriam,
0:57:47 > 0:57:48she's on the mic,
0:57:48 > 0:57:52she's up in Bullitt County Jail park in the daylight.
0:57:52 > 0:57:53That's priceless.