Henry Louis Gates Jr., a renowned professor and cultural critic from Harvard, and Robert P. George, a prestigious legal scholar at Princeton, share their powerful reflections on growing up in West Virginia. They explore themes of identity, resilience, and the importance of community while recounting personal stories that shaped their paths. From nostalgic fishing tales to discussions on educational inequalities and family legacies, their dialogue highlights how humble beginnings can inspire extraordinary futures.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. believes we must understand who we were in order to understand who we are. That goes for individuals, which is at the core of his PBS series Finding Your Roots, as well as society, which is the reason he made the new documentary series Making Black America. Marc talks with Professor Gates about the foundation of America, the progress that’s been made, and the inequality that remains, as well as the professor’s own unique upbringing that informs a lot of his thinking. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Louis Gates Jr., a distinguished scholar and filmmaker, and Robert P. George, a prominent legal scholar, reflect on their West Virginia roots and the challenges of their upbringing. They discuss the significance of resilience amidst societal tensions, emphasizing the power of place in shaping identity. Their nostalgic fishing tales and personal stories highlight connections to family and cultural heritage. The dialogue is enriched with themes of race, education, and the legacy of political families, offering an inspiring look into how humble beginnings foster extraordinary futures.

Renowned historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reflects on his upbringing during school desegregation, the power of genealogy, and the shifting landscape of racial discourse. He discusses his latest book, 'The Black Box: Writing The Race,' examining the impact of affirmative action and the backlash to America's first Black presidency on African American studies. Tune in for insights on race, history, and cultural identity.

Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discusses recovering enslaved peoples' perspectives from archives, literature, and art. The podcast explores topics such as white supremacy, Jim Crow racism, the importance of African-American studies, the challenges faced by artists in preserving black history, the distribution of wealth crisis in Africa, and the urgent need for action to address social and racial inequalities.