Judith Croen

HL Gates is a marvelous host and makes each guest’s story a personal one while embedded in the geo-socio-historical context. Understandably guests are focused on their own family discoveries and feelings. Yet I find it disappointing that more people don’t zoom out to reflect on racial disparity. For instance while most white ancestors faced great hardships, through hard work and/or luck they were eventually able to participate in American democratic processes and institutions and improve life, if not for themselves, at least for their grand children or great grand children. The African American story is entirely different. Slavery and the long shadow of systematic racism are still a blight on our nation, despite the fact that many African Americans have broken the chains and ceilings. Finding Your Roots is an opportunity for us all to reflect on our shared humanity and commit to liberty and justice, once and for all.