Ep 1. In Search of Our Fathers

In the season 2 premiere of Finding Your Roots, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. helps three guests uncover the paternal side of their family history. In Search of Our Fathers explores the challenges that come with tracing the male lineage, as paternal records are often harder to come by.

The first guest is actress and comedian Wanda Sykes, who has never known her father and wants to learn about his family's roots. Gates uses DNA testing and genealogical records to piece together the puzzle of her father's ancestry. Sykes is emotional as she discovers the surprising truth about her father and the family she never knew.

The second guest is NBA player and coach Derek Fisher, who is curious about his paternal grandparents and their history of activism in Little Rock, Arkansas during the Civil Rights Movement. Fisher's grandfather was a key figure in the landmark 1957 desegregation case at Little Rock Central High School. Gates delves into the family's past and uncovers stories of courage and sacrifice that shape Fisher's understanding of his own identity and legacy.

The third and final guest is journalist and anchorwoman Soledad O'Brien, who has always known her father's name and heritage, but has never had the chance to explore his family's story. O'Brien's father came from a large, close-knit family in Cuba, but fled the country during the revolution in 1959. Gates explains the complexities of tracing a family history that spans multiple countries and languages, and shares with O'Brien the surprising stories of her extended family and their experiences in Cuba and the United States.

Throughout the episode, Gates offers insights into the challenges of discovering one's paternal heritage, which often requires creative research methods and a willingness to confront difficult truths. He also highlights the ways in which these stories of family history intersect with broader themes of American history and identity.

In Search of Our Fathers is a moving and insightful exploration of the father-son (and father-daughter) dynamic, and the ways in which our personal histories shape who we are and how we see the world.