It turns out one of my ancestors fought in the Continental Army, so I was inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution. Henry Louis Gates americanancestorarmy Change image and share on social
The historical basis for the gap between the black middle class and underclass shows that ending discrimination, by itself, would not eradicate black poverty and dysfunction. We also need intervention to promulgate a middle-class ethic of success among the poor, while expanding opportunities for economic betterment. Henry Louis Gates basisbettermentblack share on social
So, Mexico, Brazil, they wanted their national culture to be 'blackish' - really brown, a beautiful brown blend. And finally, I discovered that in each of these societies the people at the bottom are the darkest skinned with the most African features. Henry Louis Gates africanbeautifulblackish share on social
I want to get into the educational DNA of American culture. I want 10 percent of the common culture, more or less, to be black. Henry Louis Gates americanblackcommon Change image and share on social
All historians generalize from particulars. And often, if you look at a historian's footnotes, the number of examples of specific cases is very, very small. Henry Louis Gates caseexamplefootnote Change image and share on social
The thing about black history is that the truth is so much more complex than anything you could make up. Henry Louis Gates blackcomplexhistory Change image and share on social
People don't realize what a brilliant politician Lincoln was. Looking back, we want to ascribe a level of providence to his every decision but he was a cunning and calculating politician; from the cultivation of his image as a hayseed from Illinois, to his ability to keep this country together under dire circumstances. Henry Louis Gates abilityascribeback share on social
We can't all work in the inner city. And, I don't even think that it is incumbent upon an African-American intellectual to be concerned in their work with problems of race and class. It's just one of the things, that we here at the DuBois Institute, are concerned about. Henry Louis Gates africanamericancity share on social
There are two things that have always haunted me: the brutality of the European traders and the stories I've heard about Africans selling other Africans into slavery. Henry Louis Gates africanbrutalityeuropean 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