Keeping the Union together, freeing slaves and being assassinated all added up to creating 'Lincoln the myth.' He overcame a lot of his own prejudices and became what many would consider the first black man's president. Henry Louis Gates addassassinateblack share on social
A more humane form of capitalism is about the best I think we can get. Which might sound very reformist or conservative, but that's basically where I am. Henry Louis Gates basicallycapitalismconservative Change image and share on social
In America one drop of black ancestry makes you black. In Brazil, it's almost as if one drop of white ancestry makes you white. Henry Louis Gates americaancestryblack Change image and share on social
It's not white versus black any more, it's haves versus have-nots. Unless the black middle-classes unite to promote the interests of the black underclass, tension between them is inevitable. What we, the black middle class have to do, is think of a strategy to avert that. Henry Louis Gates avertblackclass share on social
I think that the roots of racism have always been economic, and I think people are desperate and scared. And when you're desperate and scared you scapegoat people. It exacerbates latent tendencies toward - well, toward racism or homophobia or anti-Semitism. Henry Louis Gates antidesperateeconomic share on social
Fortunately, in President Obama, the child of an African and an American, we finally have a leader who is uniquely positioned to bridge the great reparations divide. Henry Louis Gates africanamericanbridge Change image and share on social
In America there is institutional racism that we all inherit and participate in, like breathing the air in this room - and we have to become sensitive to it. Henry Louis Gates airamericabreathe Change image and share on social
In fact, the class divide in the black community is now seen by some as a permanent aspect of our existence. Henry Louis Gates aspectblackclass Change image and share on social
If you share a common ancestor with somebody, you're related to them. It doesn't mean that you're going to invite them to the family reunion, but it means that you share DNA. I think it's fascinating. Henry Louis Gates ancestorcommondna Change image and share on social