Ep 9. Anchormen
- March 28, 2023
- 52 min
In the latest episode of the popular genealogy and history show Finding Your Roots, titled "Anchormen," host Henry Louis Gates Jr. dives into the family histories of three of America's most renowned news anchors: Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, and Chris Cuomo.
The episode begins with Anderson Cooper, who has long been a staple of American news media. Through archival footage and interviews with family members and historians, we learn about his great-great-grandfather, who was a wealthy landowner and slave owner in Mississippi before the Civil War. The episode delves into the complicated legacy of this ancestor and explores how Cooper's own family history has informed his journalism career.
Next, the episode focuses on Don Lemon, who has been a prominent figure in American news since the 1990s. Gates discovers that Lemon's great-grandfather was a slave in Louisiana, and Lemon speaks movingly about how this knowledge of his family's past has shaped his own sense of identity and purpose.
Finally, the show turns to Chris Cuomo, who comes from a prominent family of politicians and lawyers. Through historical records and interviews with family members, Gates reveals the surprising and sometimes tragic stories of Cuomo's ancestors, including a great-grandfather who was murdered in an act of political violence.
Throughout the episode, Gates connects the personal stories of these three news anchors to broader themes in American history, such as slavery, immigration, and the struggle for civil rights. He also highlights the power of genealogy and family history to deepen our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
Overall, "Anchormen" is a thought-provoking and engaging episode of Finding Your Roots that sheds light on the complex and often surprising family histories of some of America's most well-known news anchors. Through rich storytelling and insightful commentary, the show offers a poignant reminder of the importance of knowing where we come from as we navigate the present and look toward the future.
