Don Lemon Meets His Enslaved Ancestors

In this clip, Don Lemon is brought to tears upon meeting his enslaved ancestors.

#FindingYourRoots airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on PBS. In the April 20th episode, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. examines how journalists Gretchen Carlson and Don Lemon were able to overcome biases in their careers, drawing parallels to relatives who met profound challenges of their own.

[veronicadabney]

There are people in this country who don't want this history to be taught because it will make their children "feel bad". I wonder if they ever consider how the people "feel" who KNOW their ancestors went through this trauma. Their work helped make this the richest country in the history of the planet, and yet some people don't want to acknowledge their contributions and their PAIN, because it will "hurt Their FEELINGS"!!!

[gloriouslove]

This has a profound impact on you. When I found my second great grandfather listed by name as a slave on a census register it hit me like a brick. It’s something to be said seeing it with your own eyes.

[kashiaroundtheworld]

1:08 when he realised his family were "valued" at $1800 shit got real. His anger and tears are so appropriate 😭

[patrickbelvin]

Veronica makes an excellent point. I can't imagine the pain and despair Africans felt when they were shipped across the Atlantic, having to endure that entire transport, never to see their family members again. Hurt feelings? Please!

[mmacrini]

So very moving. Such important knowledge.

[yvonnehill]

It's so emotionally to hear about Don Lemon's ancestors. It's amazing how the people of the past are still a part of us.

[angelasuggs]

I understand the tears. I have been working on my own family’s genealogy.

[TheProhetess]

One of the very best and fascinating PBS programs, I am wondering about my roots...

[martinobrien]

I am as stunned as Don . How human beings can be treated as
property still baffles me . Why didn't someone end this madness sooner ?

[chrisP]

"That's their worth?"
Ugh! 💔

[lisadiconti]

I can understand how difficult this would be to hear.

[Nocomment]

Why is this show so hard to find? I love it but I wish it was somewhere else other than Amazon prime.

[SallyBuskey]

How can you put a price tag on human beings????

[nysunra]

I think about this daily. I have my families records. It's motivation to keep going, to survive an alien terrorist invasion we had to have been superior in spirit. This was just a moment, not the beginning and not the last. Blessings to his ancestors!

[alecbrown]

Don Lemon puts humanity in to history for all

[KSUgrad]

Dr. Gates, you MUST do my cousin Roger next: I’m white. He’s black. Old family legend had it that his great-great grandfather John married a slave woman, Elizabeth, maiden name unknown ...but...we don’t know. She’s listed as “mulatto” in South Carolina census records, but...we can find no marriage records in any Charleston, SC records. Elizabeth was black, John was white, it was in the 1840s...so...maybe they weren’t ABLE to be married due to their races? John died young of TB, we don’t know his birth date or place, but...we DO know about his brother Sully, MY great-Great grandfather. Roger and I have been in regular touch, and his name is actor and director Roger Guenveur Smith, who has starred in Spike Lee films. Roger is dying to know more about HIS genealogy, so you ought to contact him! His great-great grandparents are a huge mystery to us BOTH! 😲

[Sunshine-unww]

People have a right to know about their ancestors and the history of their families. History needs to be taught in a humane way thats shows its relevancy to everyone.

[jds]

An entire family was valued at $1800. Wow!!! 😥

[kwilcox]

This is amazing but it pisses me off. My people treated like property and sold for chump change

[mayaozen]

- $1, 800 in 1700 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $134, 668.98 today