A Family of Sharecroppers
Season 1
Episode 7
About the Episode
Brown University President Ruth Simmons grew up in a family of sharecroppers, a notorious system in which farmers pick cotton and live on someone else's land for a share of the profits. But they had to pay such high charges for rent, they often fell into a cycle of debt.
Aired:
| Expires: | Runtime: 1m 24s
Recent Episodes
-
Episode 10, Season 10<br> Viewers Like You
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. solves mysteries for 3 everyday Americans chosen to be guests.| 52:10 -
Episode 9, Season 10<br> In the Blood
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the surprising roots of Michael Douglas & Lena Dunham.| 52:10
Extras
-
Sunny Hostin Explores Her Puerto Rican Roots
Sunny Hostin's traces her lineage back three generations to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.2:36 -
Mean Streets Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps family trees of comedian Tracy Morgan & actor Anthony Ramos.0:32 -
Iliza Schlesinger Discovers Her Connection to the Holocaust
Iliza reacts emotionally to discovering her family's history is tied to the Holocaust.7:51 -
Iliza Schlesinger's Comedic DNA Cousin is Revealed
Iliza Schlesinger is shocked to learn that her DNA cousin is a fellow famous comedian.0:38 -
Bob Odenkirk Learns The He is Descended from Royalty
Bob Odenkirk discovers that his sixth great-grandfather was the Duke of Plune.1:11 -
Ed O'Neill Learns About His Immigrant Ancestor's Harsh Start
Ed O'Neill's maternal ancestors migrated from Ireland escape the Great Potato Famine.7:36 -
The Brick Wall Falls Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares ancestry with actor Danielle Brooks & singer Dionne Warwick.0:32 -
Sammy Hagar Tears Up Over His Mother's Hard Life
Reflecting on his mother's difficult upbringing moves Sammy Hagar to tears.1:13 -
Sammy Hagar Discovers His True Biological Surname
Sammy Hagar's DNA test results show he doesn't genetically belong to the Hagar lineage.7:20 -
Wes Studi's Discovers His Connection to the Trail of Tears
Wes hears the story of his how his ancestor journeyed on the Trail of Tears.7:34
