The Dominican Republic says 'We're black behind the ears.' And in Mexico, 'there's a black grandma in the closet.' They know, they've just been intermarrying for a long time. But if we did the DNA of everyone in Mexico a whole lot of people would have a whole lot of black in them. Henry Louis Gates blackclosetdna share on social
I rebel at the notion that I can't be part of other groups, that I can't construct identities through elective affinity, that race must be the most important thing about me. Is that what I want on my gravestone: Here lies an African American? Henry Louis Gates affinityafricanamerican share on social
The bottom line is that Wanda Sykes has the longest continuously documented family tree of any African-American we have ever researched. Henry Louis Gates africanamericanbottom Change image and share on social
I want to be a figure for prison reform. I think that the criminal justice system is rotten. Henry Louis Gates criminalfigurejustice Change image and share on social
One principle I've been fighting for that doesn't endear me to a lot of people is that black people can be just as complicated and screwed up as white people. Our motives can be just as base and violent. Suffering does not necessarily ennoble you. Henry Louis Gates baseblackcomplicate share on social
Let's face it - think of Africa, and the first images that come to mind are of war, poverty, famine and flies. How many of us really know anything at all about the truly great ancient African civilizations, which in their day, were just as splendid and glorious as any on the face of the earth? Henry Louis Gates africaafricanancient share on social
It's important to debunk the myths of Africa being this benighted continent civilized only when white people arrived. In fact, Africans had been creators of culture for thousands of years before. These were very intelligent, subtle and sophisticated people, with organized societies and great art. Henry Louis Gates africaafricanarrive share on social
The most ironic outcome of the black Civil Rights movement has been the creation of a new black middle class which is increasingly separate from the black underclass. Henry Louis Gates blackcivilclass Change image and share on social
There are just so many stories that are buried on family trees. Henry Louis Gates buryfamilystory Change image and share on social