''We the People'' is a 2021 American animated educational limited television series aiming to teach kids about

civics In the field of political science, civics is the study of the civil and political rights and obligations of citizens in a society. The term ''civics'' derives from the Latin word ''civicus'', meaning "relating to a citizen". In U.S. politics ...

. Each episode is a 4-5 minute animated music video by a popular performer. Created by

Chris Nee Christine Nee (born ) is an American children's television screenwriter and TV producer, producer. Nee is best known as the creator of ''Doc McStuffins'', which she conceived as ''Cheers'' for preschoolers. She has previously worked as an associat ...

, who executive produced it with

Kenya Barris Kenya Barris (born August 9, 1974) is an American film and television writer, producer, director, and actor. He is best known as the creator of the ABC sitcom ''Black-ish'' (2014–2022). Early life and education Barris, the second-youngest am ...

and

Barack Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who was the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American president in American history. Ob ...

Michelle Obama Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama ( Robinson; born January 17, 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, being married to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United Stat ...

, the series premiered on July 4, 2021 on

Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

Episodes

Production

''We the People'' was conceived by

at a dinner party in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

in November 2018. Nee cites ''

Schoolhouse Rock! ''Schoolhouse Rock!'' is an American interstitial programming series of animated musical educational short films (and later, music videos) which aired during the Saturday morning children's programming block on the U.S. television network AB ...

'' as one of the most significant inspirations for the series.

H.E.R. Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson (born June 27, 1997), known professionally as H.E.R. (pronounced "her" and standing for "Having Everything Revealed") is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B singer. She has won an Academy Awards, Academy Award, a Child ...

described working alongside the Obamas on the series as a "life-changing" experience.

Release

''We the People'' was released on

on July 4, 2021.

Reception

The series received a mixed reception.

Caroline Framke Caroline Framke (born September 30, 1988) is an American writer and critic and is Chief TV Critic at '' Variety''. Formerly, she was a columnist at Vox and has contributed to ''The Atlantic'', ''The A.V. Club'', '' Flavorwire'', ''Complex'', ''V ...

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

described the series as "well-meaning", but "not especially illuminating in the way it would like to be". Ashley Moulton of

Common Sense Media Common Sense Media (CSM) is an American nonprofit organization that reviews and provides ratings for media and technology with the goal of providing information on their suitability for children.

called the series "Modern

Schoolhouse Rock ''Schoolhouse Rock!'' is an American interstitial programming series of animated musical educational short films (and later, music videos) which aired during the Saturday morning children's programming block on the U.S. television network AB ...

" and argued it "makes great bops from U.S. civics." She also said that the videos are "generally non-partisan, but

hat A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...

some of the content leans slightly left" and called it a "superlative effort from a diverse group of talented creators." The series was nominated for a

GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Children's Programming The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Children's Programming is an annual award that honors younger children's programming for excellence in the treatment of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) characters and themes. It is one of several ...

Accolades

References

External links

* * * {{Netflix original animated series and films 2021 American animated television series debuts 2021 American television series endings 2020s American animated television series 2020s American black cartoons 2020s American musical comedy television series 2020s American political comedy television series 2020s American satirical television series American children's animated comedy television series American children's animated education television series American children's animated musical television series Animated music videos Children's and Family Emmy Award-winning broadcasts American English-language television shows Political satirical television series Television series by Higher Ground Productions Television series by Netflix Animation Michelle Obama