The Emotional Discovery in LaVar Burton's Family Tree | Finding Your Roots | PBS

[@michaeljohnson9916]

Levar Burton's come full circle - from "Roots" to "Finding Your Roots".

[@cherriledbetter1120]

Well said

[@cathy5072]

Yes!

[@yayadolmo]

So true. Well said

[@charlesdavis1080]

And he traveled in a starship to get there.

[@lovewillwinnn]

I thought the same.

[@briandeschene8424]

If anyone deserves to find something out that makes him feel more pride in himself, it is this man.

[@vw1649]

Yassssssssss indeed.

[@sailirish7]

Levar is a national treasure. Right up there with Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood on PBS).

[@stormangelus6638]

Amen to that. Levar has dedicated his life to education in all its many forms & has worked so hard to be the face of positive educational reinforcement that it only makes sense that he came from educators on both sides. Bless him.

[@Quinoezi]

They didn't show the part when he found out one of his great grandfathers was white. He was so mad he could fight that other man for telling him he had white ancestors. He is so racist.

[@joshuacox5817]

I don't know why LeVar Burton doesn't run for president with Ralph Nader as VP or something. How is LeVar Burton not head of the department of education? I saw every episode of of Reading Rainbow, and bats are my favorite animal, so the episode of him in the cave with Merlin Tuttle is the best crossover for me. But seeing this personal thing about him, and after watching him play a character on Star Trek, this whole thing is just a full circle event. It's so powerful a moment about so powerful a man's life and family.

[@ErroneousTheory]

This made me cry! This man inspired me to become an engineer when I had no educational or vocational prospects back in the late 1980s. Deep love and respect to Levar Burton!

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Wooow that's amazing ❤.

[@songindarkness]

That’s brilliant!

[@TheMusicMan66]

wow.

[@pbnjammy]

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

[@Ocker3]

Burton's years playing Geordie hopefully inspired a whole generation of kids to get into technology, it's awesome that you are among them.

[@ThatGeekyMaker]

LeVar Burton is a wonderful person. About a decade ago, I met his niece, whom my company had hired as an office assistant at one of our other offices. She noticed I had some sci-fi collectables in my office and she asked if I liked Star Trek. I told her Star Trek TNG was my favorite TV show of all time. She told me her uncle was in Star Trek and I asked who her uncle was. She said LeVar Burton. My mouth dropped, I told her I was not only a big fan of him from STTNG but also admired him for Reading Rainbow. We had a nice chat about him. She told me he was as nice a person as he appears on TV. About a week later, an envelope arrived in the mail. I opened it and it was a picture of Geordi LaForge, personally autographed to me. Thank you LeVar! And thank you for continuing to promote reading and education.

[@ajs11201]

What a wonderful story! And it sounds like his niece is just as wonderful a person as he is. Thank you for sharing!

[@fresmontana9214]

The same guy who said he wants to physically attack women he doesn't agree with?

[@SonyaTheSidePieceCrumbSnatcher]

Wow, both him and the neice are nice.

[@fresmontana9214]

@@SonyaTheSidePieceCrumbSnatcher then why does he want to beat up women?

[@Mr44magnum0706]

@@fresmontana9214 are you referring to the joke about mother against books, the same group that got the Bible banned from schools. That joke?

[@janeq1618]

Levar Burton deserves the whole world. From Reading Rainbow to Star Trek and beyond, he's been a light his whole career.

[@nogglebeak]

Roots? Roots? You know..his most important work? Where he got started? Roots? Roots? Star Trek? Reading Rainbow? Great.... but you neglected the most important role in American television in the past 60 years... He changed everything and started a ball rolling toward real cultural equality with that... and you mention everything except that... baffling level of fail.

[@janeq1618]

@@nogglebeak Thanks for lifting the rock I didn't realize I was living under! I apologize for my ignorance.

[@sinfulkivisian20]

Don't forget voice as Kwame from Captain Planet

[@robbabcock_]

He's truly a national treasure!👏

[@Rscottphillips]

Didya miss the part ? where he says racist things? whew....I loved his TV show as a kid, but yeah I've lost all respect for him based on his racist views.

[@amyliebert]

Think how proud those men would be to know their descendent is alive today helping to educate kids all over the nation

[@thewhiteguar959]

All over the world*

[@stormangelus6638]

And how well-loved he is!

[@SuperMontsta]

He's educating kids? Bad parents

[@TanyaLakeCaribbeanAtheist]

​@@SuperMontstaExactly. I was born in the Caribbean, and the older generation, who are mostly "christian/political" women, have failed when it came to actual/real knowledge. They're still brainwashed by fake christianity, which includes so many fake/negative mess.

[@hyperionzii5889]

Disgusting

[@rosalyndemi512]

" This information is something that we need in order to feel whole. " Powerful!

[@kellycochran6487]

I can empathize a lot. I know nothing about my maternal grandmother family outside of names. I didn't even know that my great grandfather was still alive when I was a boy, no one talked about him at all. All I got was the bald gene, which is nowhere NEAR as cool as finding out your have educators going back to the early 20th century in a society that was still trying to educate itself and knowing you're part of that legacy for millions.

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

I can’t say I relate at all, but it’s nice he got results at least

[@duragonsithlord8569]

And yet wanted to fight a dude cuz he found out he has white folks in his family history.

[@Ochrelotus]

LaVar, you raised me, my sister and my brother. You educated us ALL. Those tears aren't enough. If you knew how much you gave us, you'd never stop crying. THANK. YOU. FOR. BEING. YOU!

[@getplaning]

"Finding Your Roots" is one of the best programs PBS has ever done.

[@MaterialGworlKodi]

Agree!

[@allamaraine8066]

As a 90’s kid, I’ve loved this man for most of my life. Burton was everywhere, man! The Next Generation, Reading Rainbow, Captain Planet… A lot of us look up to this dude. Absolutely wonderful getting to watch him experience this. And fun fact: Burton and I were born in the same hospital!

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

Woow what city and state that's interesting???

[@a.m6523]

Wait a minute LaVar Burton actually voiced Captain planet?! I didn’t know this.😬

[@1WayOfHoliness]

@@a.m6523 He voiced Kwame (who had the power of earth)

[@allamaraine8066]

@@1WayOfHoliness Thanks for clarifying, my friend.

[@BIGMIKESKNUTTS]

He’s related to a white confederate soldier!! Butterflies in the sky LeVar Burton is going to cry Take a look, Burn a book Reading rainbow. 😂😂😂😂

[@MillennialMcGuyver]

I learned English in great deal because of Levar Burton and PBS. As a little immigrant kid who went on to graduate from an Ivy League school, it isn’t lost on me how much his influence has rippled through the ages. I hope he knows how much he means to so many of us. Thank you to his ancestors as well ❤

[@redwoods7370]

Beautiful comment.

[@moscovita]

Same. I learned basic grammar in ESL classes but actually learned how to *communicate* via Sesame Street, Mr Rogers, and Reading Rainbow. Huge influences for me, honestly life changing.

[@Rebel_AF]

Mr. Burton, you made me a lifelong reader ❤ and as a result, a best-selling novelist. You inherited a marvelous trait as an educator. THANK YOU from Hong Kong 🇭🇰

[@NikkiaSings]

❤️ That’s Wonderful

[@dadao8564]

Wow❤

[@themightierpencil]

That's amazing

[@korinda76]

There is something so special about being a teacher, and knowing you come from teachers. There is a love so deep for education in our family that we say it's "in our blood" - I am so grateful LeVar got to have this moment to know it's in his, too.

[@whiskyngeets]

Butterfly in the skyyyyyyyyy 🎵🎵 I grew up watching LaVar. Now I'm a high school teacher. This man was a great role model when I was a kid.

[@PNWGardener]

Seeing Mr. Burton cry is like seeing my own parent cry. 😭 What an amazing discovery!

[@simplez4ck]

took the words out nof my mouth. I teared up too.

[@mlbrooks4066]

Several years ago LB gave the Remembrance Day speech in Gettysburg, the anniversary of the dedication of the cemetery and of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. I used to volunteer at those gatherings and heard many speeches, but LB's was the best by a long shot. When he was introduced, he got his biggest applause for Reading Rainbow (not Roots or Star Trek), and his speech told all about his mother's dedication to seeing her children learned to read and learned to love it. The man is seriously dedicated to education and seeing everyone can learn. Now he knows that dedication came down to him from both parents. No wonder he is overwhelmed.

[@Ondrix]

For someone who has given so much, to so many, I'm glad he was able to finally recieve something so special for himself.

[@GratitudeGriot]

Love this for Levar Burton!! 1. ❤ that he got to experience this wonderful surprise that his ancestors were educators too 2. 🖤 that PBS would honor him, his family, and his legacy with the station by featuring their story 3. 💚 the evolution from ancestor to descendant to getting to witness so many chapters of his career. I grew up on Reading Rainbow in the 80s. Currently loving the Levar Burton Reads podcast. It's been such a joy to exist on Earth at the same time as the iconic Levar Burton!!!❤🖤💚

[@BORN-to-Run]

THIS is one of the most POWERFUL clips I've ever seen done on Ancestry PBS. I'm in tears... SOME American history ONLY THE FAMILIES CAN TELL.

[@ForNoOne1]

I grew up as a child having Levar Burton teach me about the joy of reading through Reading Rainbow. Then he brought one of my favorite characters to life on Star Trek. I grew up with him. What a wonderful person he is, I wish him the best in life - thank you, Mr. Burton!

[@vannesavasquez2475]

Thinking back on my childhood, I can thank my momma for getting me a library card at a very young age and Lavar Burton for my first love, which was reading books. I wish I can tell him how much he changed my life and countless others with his passion for reading. I wish I can hug you, Lavar. You're inspirational and loved by millions.

[@galenrandir]

Reading Rainbow had such a profound impact on me as a kid. I am now in my mid 30s and I still love reading with a passion. I hope LeVar knows what an impact he has had.

[@mlbrooks4066]

I think he does. When he spoke at Gettysburg.a few years ago, the crowd gave him the biggest applause not for Roots or Star Trek, but for Reading Rainbow.

[@laerwen]

I feel such absolute joy for LeVar. I know this isn't scientific to say this because life is life but - he's come by his talents genetically, in a sense. What a gift that he knows this now and he can feel more whole. He deserves that.

[@AJ-ks9ef]

Felt so emotional seeing him get so emotional. Glad he was able to receive this information about his roots after being an integral part of helping others to think about their roots, during his career as an actor.👏🏽

[@m.maclellan7147]

Not me tearing up when he did ! 😢

[@AlohaLowah]

I'm over hearing bawling along with Levar. He's such a lovely human being.

[@kornsin]

He has been a part of my life since Reading Rainbow as a 5 year old in the early 80s. I love how his family lineage has come full circle back to him in how teaching others was a foundation for those before him also.

[@sdswood3457]

I grew up listening to this man teach me how to read and imagine, and his character on ST:TNG always ensconced values and friendship. Watching both shows as a child made LeVar seem special, the first actor I recognized on more than one show made him stand out.

[@xelamercedes]

Powerful episode. I spent the last two years researching my family and writing a memoir. Levar and I are the same age. When he said he was having trouble finding words to describe how these discoveries made him feel, I empathized. Some of what I discovered about my ancestors shook me to my core. I was speechless. And yet, I HAD to find the words to write the book. Thanks Dr. Gates for the transformative work you are doing.

[@teresalegler2777]

Knowledge is everything. We learn from our own history, but also, from our ancestors.

[@CATgodzillatheamazing]

I can't even find my great grandparents while everyone is just partying around being shocked finding stuff

[@evangelasmith8849]

I have the deepest reverence for both gentlemen. What a moment ❤

[@josephraffurty9293]

One of my heroes. So amazing to see him on Star Trek and Reading Rainbow, and he has done so much more for our society since. So wonderful for him to find out these meaningful parts of his family history.

[@amyellen3845]

Welcome home, Mr. Burton. Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher and taking on the toughest lessons.

[@harvestcanada]

I Professor Louis Gates at the LSE in London. He is an ASOLUTE gentleman 😀. We were passing each other and just offered his hand to me, we never met, he just gave off this positive vibe. The African American community are very lucky to have him.

[@nancyadams9228]

Many thanks to Levar Burton who enriched my curriculum for 30 years.

[@bahiras]

What a sweet episode. LeVar Burton hosts a great podcast, “LeVar Burton” reads. His voice is calm and soothing

[@jsblake199]

Have loved Levar Burton. Love him more now.

[@rainbowsparkles5304]

What a blessing! Between my Mom and Mr. Burton on Reading Rainbow, I’ve had a life long love of reading. I can remember episodes of RR where the book featured might tackle a difficult subject (death for example), but his voice and manner made it not scary to learn about.

[@thecarbonprop]

I love LeVar so much. I grew up really seeing him in Star Trek. Living in this futuristic new world where everyone worked to get along and be understanding of others cultures and heritage. He was so smart and worked so hard to do the best job he could. I’m all grown up now but still look back at his character and remember how he inspired me. ❤ Thank you LeVar

[@gamesnstuff657]

LeVar Burton is a national treasure. I remember watching reading rainbow, and later in my life I learned to absolutely love Star Trek TNG. His passion and kindness just emanates from his whole being. Thank you Levar for promoting reading in our country, and creating memorable stories through your performances throughout your career.

[@nicolezhang5351]

Few KZbin videos make me tear up, but this one definitely did. So happy for Levar to make this great discovery. He’s always seemed to be such a kind and caring person. He deserves this.

[@jeremyfisher9102]

I am from the same county in Arkansas that that school house is in. Its still being used as a school to this day and I used to drive past it everyday on my way to work.

[@MarianneInmarsilia]

What a gift to reveal the lost heritage to people to give them a better sense and understanding of their origins and who they have become. ❤ Such a healing gift

[@nunyabusiness3516]

There are stories I STILL remember to this day from Reading Rainbow and I'm in my 40s. I will always remember "Bring the Rain to Kapiti Plain", "The Toothnasher Superflash" and "Meanwhile Back at the Farm" they made me love reading but also want to read aloud expressively. Thank you Levar❤❤❤❤

[@tempus_fugit7366]

I love getting to see how powerful and meaningful Levar's connections to education is. Even though he was never close with his father, that "hole" was important to fill. So happy for him!

[@janwlf4628]

I lost it when Levar's voice shook😭

[@m.maclellan7147]

I am so glad that it was Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. that presented this information to him. I can't imagine learning this about my family !

[@jurigagarin3966]

Ich habe mr Burton vor fünfzehn Jahren in Bonn getroffen und er hat mich zur Garderobe bekleidet und mit mir geschwatzt. Er war mit Abstand der Freundlichste Star Trek Schauspieler den ich kenne❤

[@christinacody8653]

In the The United States he has the additional honor of being a host to a public access television program focused on encouraging children to read. He is a huge advocate of literacy as a result.

[@gir2195]

That line about needing to "pry" information out of his mother. That's like talking to my father and grandmother. The generational struggle continues. So happy to hear that Mr. Burton is continuing the family legacy of education.

[@dadevi]

Mr. Burton is crying, and I'm crying along with him. This whole time, through Roots, The Reading Rainbow, and his other artistic pursuits, he's made an impact on the black community, by being in alignment with his family value of education. Powerful stuff! This is why I started doing family research from the time I was in high school and have never stopped. I'm glad he's found out who he is now.

[@justinhall9231]

I love LeVar Burton. The host of Reading Rainbow on PBS KIDS. 📖 🌈

[@ObsidianRose10]

This is one of my favorites because LaVar has been in my life almost my entire life through the screen. He captivated me with Reading Rainbow as a child, he took me through space odyssey and adventures on star trek as Geordi. TO THIS DAY I CANNOT SEE A BANANA CLIP WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THAT ROLE WITH HIM 😂😂😂 And then he brought it home with our heritage, our roots, with kunta kinte. My mother was the same. She did not want to talk about things. Neither did my grandmother. Neither did my great-uncle. It was very very hush-hush. And we were always told to just leave it be. Didn't realize how much we would need this in our older age, as African-American people living in a tumultuous diaspora. I don't know if I'll ever be able to trace my history to this extent, but I'm glad he was able to. My brother, you came full circle with this. Congratulations. 💙💙💙

[@michellespence7001]

Christ….. this brought tears to my eyes. 😢. So happy for Mr. Levar Burton, talk about full circle.

[@rseward7183]

That is one of the tragedies of divorce. Not knowing a side of your family.

[@tinjadog]

So moving! I love Levar Burton. Such an amazing man. ❤️

[@bobbymoss6160]

I grew up watching LaVar Burton. The man's a national treasure.

[@kathyrama4570]

Oh how I love Levar Burton. I have thought so highly of him over the years. My son is Autistic, but he watched Mr. Burton, and lived him so.

[@willmendoza8498]

I freakin' adore this guy. What a legend

[@vezsidestory]

I just woke up… It’s too early to feel this emotional. Love LeVar

[@Unicorn-jj2og]

LeVar said it and it hit straight home - these stories are not shared in families because they are often very painful so each generation tries to shield the next and it is difficult to ask and so it goes on.

[@eternalsunshine2485]

I absolutely love him! He deserves nothing but the best!!💜

[@cubesurfer4141]

Crying alongside him. LaVar Burton educated generations. An amazing man and legacy.

[@aldakendall4921]

There are so many readers and authors who had our love of reading encouraged by this beautiful man.

[@NikkiaSings]

Amen 🗣️💯🗣️

[@BiancaJames-r7s]

I love Levar…he was comfort after school and I always picked the books he suggested♥️♥️

[@daveemerson6549]

Leave it to LeVar to sum up so powerful an experience so eloquently. Man is a treasure.

[@Liy___444]

I love this guy …. Me and my siblings watched him everyday on Reading Rainbow. He taught us so much

[@davidsimpson4407]

Levar is a national treasure. We are all missing out not having him host Jeopardy.

[@BIGMIKESKNUTTS]

He’s related to a white confederate soldier!! Butterflies in the sky LeVar Burton is going to cry Take a look, Burn a book Reading rainbow. 😂😂😂😂

[@Hun_Uinaq]

I love this black man! He was such an amazing part of my childhood with his Reading Rainbow series. Absolutely beautiful. And it is so nice for him to find this connection with his family. As a Latino person, to us, family is so very important. It makes me sad to know that this was missing in his life so that he knew a little bit of why he is the way he is. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family. 1000 blessings.

[@lewisfrost1815]

It's interesting to see Mr. Burton go from "ecstatic" to "outraged".

[@doctorteethomega]

I couldn't help but cry when LaVar started. He has been a hero and role model for me since I was a small child.

[@iamsuzerain3987]

I really like this guy. Reading Rainbow 🌈 and of course his work on Star Trek🖖...thanks PBS!

[@ddewittfulton]

LaVar is a truly beautiful human being and I am so pleased that he has received such a note echoing the perfect symmetry of his life's calling.

[@checle4499]

Way cool - double dose of genetics. Every person has been given many gifts that can be found by knowing where you came from and who you are. Love this series.

[@DefaultUsername156]

This man is wholesome incarnate. Give this man the world.

[@masterofnonetech]

Levar Burton is a national treasure

[@TheDaggwood]

The pride from funding his parents were educators speaks volumes for his values. I truly love this man!

[@beahorob5189]

Love to you Lavar Burton❤❤

[@Eudiamonia77]

A beautiful human being. Grateful for him.

[@popunkid]

Every 80s kid alive cheers this man.

[@rosemarieroberts9168]

I was a 60's kid with much respect for him after 'Roots', as a West Indian I can identify with the struggles of our African ancestors in the new world. However, I am a bit disappointed that the African American and African West-Indian, haven't begun to unite as descendants of Africa. This would be beneficial for us.

[@knux5796]

& 90s

[@iammichaeldavis]

So much love and respect for this man, it fills my heart with joy to see him so overcome with emotion. This dude was such a profound part of my childhood due to Reading Rainbow and Star Trek. 🕊️➕❤️ to Mr Burton and anyone reading this 🙏

[@jessicatsao92]

Love Levar Burton! The man inspired me to read books as a child, and this ability and drive has served me well ❤ Love Reading 🌈

[@frankierizzo]

LaVar Burton has been a hero of mine since childhood. The theme song to Reading Rainbow is in my head to this day. Reading Rainbow had such a huge impact on me as a child.

[@jenniferk4336]

Love you Geordie! Glad you found fulfilling details.

[@ladylightning1741]

Imagine how proud his grandparents and great-grandparents would be of him and all he's done for kids. From encouraging them with "Reading Rainbow" to inspiring them as Geordi La Forge.

[@durangodoug338]

Makes so much sense!

[@melodieneil712]

How awesome to be able to witness the missing puzzle pieces LaVar just discovered. Thank you. I have had a tremendous respect for Mr. Burton’s work. It’s been a gift to all of us. Congratulations!

[@gl15col]

The children in that school, in their beautiful starched pinafores and the lovely handwriting of the teacher on the blackboard, the start of a new day for the people who attended. I just bought a t-shirt with LaVar on it, and below his picture it says "Read banned books". The educational apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

[@jabine59]

I'm so glad Levar Burton got to find out about his dad's family. One can tell it's a piece of his life that he needed so badly. And he 's been such a great mentor for education. I find lately that true stories of history have so much more emotional meaning to me, than fiction.

[@1cruzbat1]

That was beautiful. Both the revelation and the reaction.

[@camh1149]

What a lovely man LB is. He seems to be kind person and compassionate. Proud.

[@johnathanmartin1504]

There are scientists (myself included) who never would have reached their potential if not for LeVar Burton.

[@renastone1270]

Levar and Reading Rainbow were a huge part of my son's life growing up! As a teacher from a family of educators, this was thrilling information! His ancestors would be so proud of him and what he's done for the world.

[@terrenceharris-hughes4436]

It's in his genes

[@BIGMIKESKNUTTS]

He’s related to a white confederate soldier!! Butterflies in the sky LeVar Burton is going to cry Take a look, Burn a book Reading rainbow. 😂😂😂😂

[@docholliday4489]

Watched him as a child. He inspired me to be whatever I wanted to be I could and I did just that. Thank you sir for being my childhood inspiration.

[@SusanBame]

This was just beautiful. Thank you.

[@blackglitteremoji3054]

We love LaVar! Changing children's lives through reading is a gift and to know there's a great legacy he comes from

[@joydavis4087]

Very happy for LaVar.

[@pamelahuff1268]

Wow, hearing LeVar speak in this video brought my entire childhood memories back. Everything about the way he speaks and carries himself is excellent.

[@mariapilarme]

Bless his heart ❤

[@peacefulbliss323]

I love reading because of this man. I am so happy he was able to connect with his family.