Radio Times

Review by:

David Crawford

This series uses both paper trails and DNA comparisons to shed light on the ancestors of famous folk. Dapper Henry Louis Gates Jr is the authoritative yet genial host, and in this opener he is exploring the genealogical chasm of slavery.

All of this episode’s African-American subjects – Condoleezza Rice, Samuel L Jackson and former president of Brown University Ruth Simmons – already know or suspect that they have a white forebear. There are revelations about the tribes in Africa their slave ancestors came from, but these are three tough people who grew up in the segregated South. There are no tears.

About this programme

1/10. Documentary in which prominent Americans trace their ancestry, beginning with actor Samuel L Jackson, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and one-time Brown University President Ruth Simmons - all of who started life as second-class citizens in a racially segregated South. Presented by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Cast and crew

Cast

Contributor

Samuel L Jackson

Contributor

Condoleezza Rice

Contributor

Ruth Simmons

Presenter

Henry Louis Gates Jr

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