American Colonialism: 4 Part Series

My name is Salem, and I am a Palestinian storyteller and filmmaker. Growing up, my understanding of the Palestinian struggle was shaped by personal experiences and the stories of my people. But over time, I have come to realize that the fight for justice and liberation is not just about one land, one people, or one cause. Our struggles are connected. Learning from the stories of other oppressed communities around the world has deepened my understanding of our own fight for freedom in Palestine and shown me the power of global solidarity.

Through our work at uncivilized media, we aim to use storytelling as a bridge to connect these dots—to bring together movements and experiences that show how colonialism, imperialism, and apartheid manifest across different histories and geographies. This project is a four-part Youtube documentary series titled "American Colonialism", and I’m reaching out for your support to bring it to life.

Why This Project Matters

This series dives into the dark legacies of American colonialism, examining how it has affected different communities within the United States and around the world. The way it impacted my life in Palestine. These are stories that have been sidelined, silenced, and often erased, but they continue to impact the lives of millions today.

This isn’t just about documenting the past; it’s about understanding the present and finding ways forward towards collective liberation. I believe that by learning from each other’s stories of resistance, we can build stronger, more united movements for justice.

The Four Episodes: A Breakdown

Episode 1: Genocide

This episode focuses on the genocide of Native Americans, exploring how indigenous peoples across the U.S. were systematically displaced, brutalized, and erased in the name of expansion and "progress." We will hear from Native American activists, historians, and descendants of those who lived through this genocide, as they reflect on the ongoing struggle for land rights, cultural survival, and justice for their communities.

Episode 2: Colonialism

In this episode, we examine the colonization of Hawaii and the ongoing fight for Hawaiian sovereignty. While many know Hawaii as a tropical paradise, its story is one of colonial conquest and the overthrow of a sovereign kingdom.

Episode 3: Imperialism

This episode delves into the U.S. occupation of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory whose people have been denied full sovereignty for over a century. We will explore how American imperialism has shaped the island’s economy, politics, and culture, as well as the resistance movements that have risen in response to Puerto Rico’s status as a colony in all but name.

Episode 4: Apartheid

The final episode focuses on segregation in the Jim Crow South, drawing parallels between the racial apartheid that African Americans endured for decades and other apartheid systems around the world, including in Palestine. We will explore the legacies of racism, the struggle for civil rights, and how the fight against segregation continues today in various forms.

Why Your Support is Crucial

To produce these episodes, we need to ensure that we are working closely with the communities whose stories we are telling. Your support will allow us to collaborate directly with activists, historians, and storytellers from Native American, Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, and African American communities to ensure these narratives are told with authenticity and respect.

Additionally, we aim to make this series accessible to as many people as possible by publishing the episodes on YouTube for free, ensuring that these stories can be shared widely. Beyond the online release, we also plan to host screenings for each episode in theaters, where we can gather, watch, and discuss the episodes with community members and activists, building a space for reflection and conversation.

How You Can Help

We invite you to join us in this journey by contributing to our GoFundMe campaign. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal of documenting these critical stories and connecting the struggles of different communities.

By supporting this project, you’re not just funding a film—you’re helping create a platform for global solidarity and understanding. Thank you for believing in this vision and for helping us tell these stories. We can’t wait to share them with you and the world.