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African American Lives
Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., W.E.B. DuBois professor of the Humanities and chair of African and African-American Studies at Harvard University, takes Alex Haley's Roots saga to a whole new level. Using genealogy and DNA science, Dr. Gates tells the personal stories of eight accomplished African Americans - a neurosurgeon, a TV pioneer/philanthropist, an astronaut, a music entrepreneur, a sociologist, a movie star, a minister and a comedian - tracing their roots through American history and back to Africa.
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Download Questions (PDF file - Adobe Reader required)
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Why do you think Gates chose such high-profile African Americans as the subjects of this series?
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Whose story had the greatest effect on you? Why?
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How important is it to you to trace your genealogy? Have you investigated, or are you now investigating, your family history? If so, what has been the effect on you? Other members of your family?
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What do you think accounts for the increased interest in genealogy in this country?
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Do you think people in other countries are as concerned about genealogy as Americans are?
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Many of the people profiled in the series were surprised to find out that family lore was inaccurate. How much faith do you place in "oral history?" How much faith do you place in DNA analysis?
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How do you think you'd feel if you found out that someone in your family line was a disreputable person?
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Do you agree with Chris Tucker that there's wisdom in knowing where you come from? Why?
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Have you ever visited the country [countries] from which your forebears came? What were your feelings and impressions?
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