Shame of Chicago, Shame of the Nation is a four-part documentary series that lays bare the story of how Chicago devised the nation’s most sweeping system of racially segregated housing—and how it diminished the lives of generations of Black families, creating the vast racial wealth gap that persists to this day.

Told by the people who experienced it, the journalists who documented it, and the scholars who’ve studied it, this series unpacks a pivotal part of American history that textbooks often gloss over or leave out entirely. Centering Black voices and experiences, the series also brings to life the resistance Black Chicagoans mounted throughout the 20th century in the face of systemic and often violent discrimination in the private sector and at nearly every level of government. The series shows how these policies provided the model for other American cities and towns, such that the wealth gap between Blacks and whites deepened throughout the country.

This is more than just a documentary series. It’s an urgent educational tool that will open eyes, join hearts, spark debate, and inspire action. Each episode is designed to stand alone for classroom and community use, as it unfurls a key part of a riveting larger history.

Explore the companion reading list curated by the Shame of Chicago team.