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PBS African American Lives 2 - Chris Rock, Morgan Freeman, Don Cheadle, Maya Angelou, and More
January 31st, 2008 by PG Chic
If you haven’t heard, Havard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. completed “African American Lives 2″, which is second of the PBS “African American Lives” special series that originally aired in February 2006. “African American Lives 2″ is a second, very interesting look at the geneaolgy of more African Americans. The four-part special premieres on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 9pm on PBS. The participants this year include Linda Johnson Rice, Don Cheadle, Chris Rock, Tome Joyner, Peter Gomes, Maya Angelou, Morgan Freeman, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Tina Turner, Kathleen Henderson, and Bliss Broyard.
Chris Rock was on Oprah last week helping to promote the PBS special and a few clips from his geneaology were shown. Can you believe that Chris Rock shed tears during the special? He became understandably emotional as Professor Gates revealed that his maternal great-great-grandfather was a slave for 20 years who went on to become an elected official and left 65 acres to his family upon his death. Chris Rock said that he doesn’t even own 65 acres. It was really powerful stuff and made me want to start tracing back my roots if not only for a better understanding of who I am. I think geneaology helps people to make sense of their life paths.Fascinating stuff…I am looking forward to the premiere.
Note: There have been a few repeats airing of the first series from February 2006, which included Oprah’s geneaolgy–she is a descendant of many educators. The other participants of part one included Dr. Ben Carson, Whoopi Goldberg, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Dr. Mae Jemison, Quincy Jones, Dr. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, and Chris Tucker.
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