The Hidden Truth in Viola Davis' Family Tree | Finding Your Roots | PBS

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  • Опубліковано 4 лют 2023
  • Official website: to.pbs.org/FYRS9 | #FindingYourRoots
    Viola Davis and Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. dive into her family's past, and with the help of DNA and local records, discover a surprising secret her grandfather kept to himself. Viola Davis is a critically-revered, award-winning actress, producer, and New York Times Best-Selling Author. She is the first black actress to win two Tony Awards (“Fences” & “King Hedley II”), an Oscar (“Fences”) and an Emmy (“How to Get Away with Murder”). Davis also won a Grammy in 2023 for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording.
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    About the series:
    Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides influential guests into their roots, uncovering deep secrets, hidden identities and lost ancestors. Using genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis, Gates guides twenty-one influential guests deep into the branches of their family trees, revealing surprising stories of forgotten ancestors that transcend borders, illuminating an American root system fortified by its diversity.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 927

  • @richredlionable
    @richredlionable Рік тому +986

    I'm so glad she did not judge her family. She saw it for what all of our lives are. Messy, compelling, human.

    • @Toywins
      @Toywins Рік тому +14

      This is everything.

    • @12tyecha
      @12tyecha Рік тому +5

    • @jakestroll6518
      @jakestroll6518 Рік тому +17

      I think she should judge her great grandfather a little. To abandon your child is an evil thing and reverberates through that child’s life. Especially since we know from the orbituary that he grew up knowing who his real father was. Judge bad relatives😏

    • @MizzKru
      @MizzKru Рік тому +17

      @@jakestroll6518 it doesn't make or a break her so why should she?

    • @virtualwhispers
      @virtualwhispers Рік тому +7

      @@jakestroll6518 Exactly what do you get out of judging someone else - None of really have that right to do so.

  • @nissaforyou
    @nissaforyou Рік тому +1935

    Viola has the best skin in the world! Looking like a bronze statue. She is just stunning.

    • @lf1496
      @lf1496 Рік тому +132

      Her hair is beautiful too

    • @CraigGrant-sh3in
      @CraigGrant-sh3in Рік тому +54

      I was thinking the same thing.

    • @richardwilliams4976
      @richardwilliams4976 Рік тому +62

      I love me some Viola Davis. 🙏🏽🥰❤️

    • @11274reece
      @11274reece Рік тому +14

      As a female you're aware of makeup right?

    • @nissaforyou
      @nissaforyou Рік тому +89

      @@11274reece that is her real skin, she isn't gonna put makeup on her arms come on.

  • @Angela-ot7es
    @Angela-ot7es Рік тому +602

    "Messy truth" is usually synonymous with most families.

  • @fredrika27
    @fredrika27 Рік тому +911

    When she said her grandfather was most likely "unwanted", it hit me hard because that's how MANY people feel whose birth makes them unwelcomed in their own families!

    • @jonniehickson5599
      @jonniehickson5599 Рік тому

      My first thought was that her grandfather's mother had unwilling sexually relations with John. Especially if he was married at the time. That she may have been r**ped.

    • @marnasquires155
      @marnasquires155 Рік тому +17

      Preach

    • @melvintribble2218
      @melvintribble2218 Рік тому +5

      @@marnasquires155 I’m

    • @sd247
      @sd247 Рік тому +14

      I feel that pain 😔😔

    • @FromtheeyesofShaun
      @FromtheeyesofShaun Рік тому +11

      Thats such a sad and disgusting feeling to place on your family. Sad that some have felt this 😞🧡

  • @pamelamathis6515
    @pamelamathis6515 Рік тому +1537

    I love this woman. I love her talent & her honesty. I am so happy she got to be an EGOT. I was really rooting for her.

    • @michaeld.williamsiii9026
      @michaeld.williamsiii9026 Рік тому +31

      Same here!!! 💜As a person who’s had such, a broken childhood, loss my dad, abandoned by my biological mom, & sadly recently lost my phenomenal adopted mom. I’ve had my many deepest, darkest, most heart wrenching moments.😔💔😢 Viola inspires me personally I love her.💫

    • @shirl3942
      @shirl3942 Рік тому +20

      Ditto from another messy truth child. I've always knew I was not alone and having such a beautiful person also having family secrets too makes it less messy.

    • @belindasims5290
      @belindasims5290 Рік тому +27

      I love Viola Davis too. Her beauty and talent inspire me!

    • @JanMike9
      @JanMike9 Рік тому +15

      Viola is a beautiful person--I could swim in her eyes. As I also am a Rhode Islander and alum of Rhode Island College, I like to claim her as a product of 'The Ocean State', at least in part.

    • @kushitefromrome5830
      @kushitefromrome5830 Рік тому +14

      I also love her, she seems so balanced. Also feel of pride, when ever I see her

  • @chitarah
    @chitarah Рік тому +879

    I respect her for speaking so eloquently about her past. It is true what she said, “ we would like to create a past that benefits us”. While sometimes it can play out that way, other times it doesn’t. How we chose to grow and navigate through the “mess” we call family is what really defines us. I’m glad I watched this. Ms. Viola, kudos to your success.

    • @Forever4God
      @Forever4God Рік тому +21

      couldn't have said it any better. Exceptional how she spoke on this situation.

    • @Rhov9
      @Rhov9 Рік тому +15

      Yea, I think when you do this kind of thing you really HAVE to be open to any kind of answers, even the sad or hurtful ones. The truth is not always comfortable, but it’s comforting to finally KNOW the truth. I don’t know if my family has any surprises like this, but seeing others stories and how common this was, I wouldn’t be surprised if so. People are just people, no matter the amount of decades that separates us.

    • @pupdiogenes2548
      @pupdiogenes2548 Рік тому +10

      The words "artistic genius" get thrown around, but Viola Davis is on the same level as Anthony Hopkins Daniel Day Lewis or Joaquin Phoenix.

    • @TheAmbitiousDiaries
      @TheAmbitiousDiaries Рік тому +4

      That part right there shook me to my core.

    • @PhoenixHealingMinistries
      @PhoenixHealingMinistries 8 місяців тому +1

      Yes❤ love that she is so intoned that way❤

  • @SamAsm367
    @SamAsm367 11 місяців тому +160

    Her great-grandfather was a WWI vet and no one talks about it. The silence is real for so many. Getting the stories is like pulling teeth.

    • @1972Ventura455ho
      @1972Ventura455ho 8 місяців тому +24

      Her Grandfather was not Gable Logan who served in WW1, it was John Young the Farmer.

    • @SCscoutguy
      @SCscoutguy 4 місяці тому +3

      Her great-grandfather was not a WW1 vet.

    • @watermelonlover745
      @watermelonlover745 3 місяці тому

      Look up who owns the research centers and internet...it's the CCP

  • @johncarllarmonie7731
    @johncarllarmonie7731 9 місяців тому +110

    Not only her beauty and talent but the way she speaks. She has air of wisdom and dignity that's fascinating.

  • @amygolden523
    @amygolden523 Рік тому +597

    So, his death certificate, Henry Logan’s, named John Young as his father.
    That means Henry knew, even though his mom died when he was 6 yrs old, and John Young had moved away. Someone in his family told him and he must’ve told his wife, or whoever gave the information for the death certificate. So, yes a secret, but at least a few people did know.
    Very interesting!!
    More please!!

    • @stephaniejames4940
      @stephaniejames4940 Рік тому +36

      Yes, somewhere along the lines other's knew and shared that info. John must've repeated this information to someone very close- the informant on the death certificate.
      If the mother was still married, then it was automatically assumed to be the husband's. Momma's baby, daddy maybe type situation.

    • @kimwhite6784
      @kimwhite6784 Рік тому +43

      @@stephaniejames4940 Possibly, somewhere down the line, John Young returned to Charlotte City? to inform Henry himself, perhaps after his wife passed. OR possibly, the wife, once widowed came back to inform Henry. Or a letter could have been written. ...Or any one of those or their own children, Henry's half-siblings, may have crossed paths at some point and had that conversation....Lots of possibilities. It's even possible that Henry's own mother told him...perhaps as a young child or left a note for him to find later.

    • @Dharmarenee
      @Dharmarenee Рік тому +18

      There’s a saying “Mama’s baby, Papa’s maybe”.

    • @sadiewagstaff890
      @sadiewagstaff890 Рік тому +2

      ​@@Dharmarenee I still say that.

    • @dorothysampson7414
      @dorothysampson7414 Рік тому

      @@Dharmarenee h6

  • @debb8152
    @debb8152 Рік тому +366

    The messy truth. Viola Davis lives and breathes that--in her acting, in her truth. I know she said we look for something in our past to elevate us..but in her way it has--profoundly.

    • @Mygraciously
      @Mygraciously Рік тому +16

      She is my favorite person. Her values are her virtue.

    • @ari333
      @ari333 Рік тому +1

      Beautifully written...

    • @jewel74336
      @jewel74336 Рік тому +2

      Well said! 👏🏾

  • @macphallic
    @macphallic Рік тому +127

    All of us, all of us, are birthed out of messy truths, in one way or another, there are messy truths that make up our family trees!

    • @mpr92482
      @mpr92482 Рік тому +2

      That’s the truth, I was told my Grandfather was one person as a teen. Before my Daddy died I told him I wanted to find out for sure who his Dad was. So I found who suppose to be his baby brother, I can’t lie he has the same exact eyes as my Daddy, but he look like his Mom. What is also interesting is that if this is his younger brother, he is the son of one of the famous black quadruplets the Fultz sisters. I told my Daddy about him before he passed away, he was like I would have had a brother younger than my kids? He just laughed, but he told me to keep researching. But before I could take ancestry dna test he passed away. Now that I took the test and got in contact with my potential uncle, I told him he has to take a test too. Because if he is related, there maybe a bigger issue. My Daddy Father side is connected to SC, but he was suppose to be born and raised in NC. If that is his Father, that means the paternity of my Grandfather parents are now in question. My Grandma was adamant to my Daddy who his father really was, it just wasn’t told to us until we were older because his namesake was her husband who she was separated from, but apparently she always said my Daddy Father was someone else. To me I grew up knowing my Grandfather from my Mom side not sure why I didn’t question my Dad side. Either my Grandma was wrong or who suppose to be my Grandfather Parent is now in question. Crazy thing is I know who my Great Grandparents are on my Daddy Paternal side, just not my Grandfather. My Great Grandparents had 4 sons, 3 had ties to NC, 2 were stationed there. But as much as people moved around back then it’s unknown where and how the conception happened. I just know I have 1st cousins 1xremoved which mean those are my Daddy 1st cousins that I am connected to based on dna. It’s a big ol mess smh

  • @cous516
    @cous516 Рік тому +190

    life is an amalgamation of stories and secrets…that’s deep

    • @orangewarm1
      @orangewarm1 Рік тому +3

      That seems obvious

    • @patticake5944
      @patticake5944 Рік тому +3

      So deep and so true.

    • @patrickbyrne5070
      @patrickbyrne5070 25 днів тому

      Seems obvious til you hear how it effects you personally… then it’s something less obvious

  • @pamelahofman1785
    @pamelahofman1785 Рік тому +269

    Viola is a true class act.

  • @cinemaocd1752
    @cinemaocd1752 Рік тому +216

    I think every family tree has secrets in it like this. People in the past had affairs, and children out of wedlock, but were usually incredibly stealth about covering it up. I encourage everyone to look back into their family tree. There will always be surprises.

    • @felixmbandandayitabi4536
      @felixmbandandayitabi4536 Рік тому +14

      🤣 My family secret is that one of my great-uncles used to rob banks. My family was well to do, he went to college but he strayed. For him there is a damnatio memoriae

    • @esterherschkovich5002
      @esterherschkovich5002 Рік тому +1

      Oh yes agree...mine🙂

    • @thedukeofchutney468
      @thedukeofchutney468 4 місяці тому +3

      My family had this. I’m 25 years old and I just found out that my great great grandfather murdered my great great grandmother. And this was casually brought up during Thanksgiving dinner! 😂

  • @thinktank4768
    @thinktank4768 Рік тому +210

    Your history as a child might be a messy truth, but you’re not messy Viola. I’m glad that you share your journey with the public. It’s helpful to know your journey as an African-American woman. 👍🏾👩🏽‍🦱🇺🇸

    • @bsmith5304
      @bsmith5304 Рік тому +7

      Absolutely

    • @Panini-sp9bw
      @Panini-sp9bw Рік тому

      As is any person whether - white, pink, purple, brown, green, woman or male. Identifying as a distinct black woman yet blaming society for calling people of color not any other people’s but black, is because blacks continue to call themselves #black. It’s not racism, unless racism starts with blacks themselves. Stop the weakness. #racecard

    • @thinktank4768
      @thinktank4768 Рік тому +1

      @@Panini-sp9bw African American and Black with a capital. That’s how we do it.

  • @SydneyChandler
    @SydneyChandler Рік тому +129

    I adore Viola Davis because she's so real and honest. Too many times, families bury those "messy truths", pretend they don't exist and that secrecy is detrimental to everyone involved.

  • @libssweet8233
    @libssweet8233 Рік тому +184

    She is so articulate and a class act!

    • @realbeautyness25
      @realbeautyness25 Рік тому +5

      SHE KNOWS HOW TO SPEAK IN SENTENCES I'M IMPRESSED 😁

    • @MM-ng5wc
      @MM-ng5wc Рік тому +17

      All the Black writers and prominent speakers. You all cannot away from this racist tote by always acknowledging a blk person is articulate. Stop believing the stereotypes and learn about all the great black speakers, writers and scholars.

    • @chenziramonashe4581
      @chenziramonashe4581 Рік тому +16

      There always has to be one.

    • @kwamezulushabazz
      @kwamezulushabazz Рік тому +4

      @@chenziramonashe4581 🤣

  • @Desaved
    @Desaved Рік тому +62

    No matter how you got here, we're ever so glad you made it. :D Thanks, John Young!

  • @Jet-xk7ss
    @Jet-xk7ss Рік тому +42

    Her voice is so powerful… gives such depth to her characters.

  • @AlexXDiety
    @AlexXDiety 2 місяці тому +4

    As a black Rhode Islander...i get it.
    Her elegance and grace are something to be spoken of.

  • @Kim-qt7yn
    @Kim-qt7yn Рік тому +86

    Viola is the epitome of grace, poise and elegance while setting a beautiful example for the rest of us. Thank you Viola, messy truths are around all of us then and now. You make us so proud.

  • @j.brown70
    @j.brown70 Рік тому +115

    I listened to Viola’s memoir on audiobook and it was EXCELLENT! I rank it up there with I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and Maya Angelou’s subsequent autobios. It’s a must read.

  • @morningsunshine0216
    @morningsunshine0216 Рік тому +38

    15 year old girl with a 22 year old man… 😳 AND 18 children. I feel so sorry for her grandma 😢. That really turned my stomach.

    • @donny3926
      @donny3926 10 місяців тому +1

      A teenager and a young adult

    • @kkristian8350
      @kkristian8350 9 місяців тому

      ​@@donny3926a child and a grown man

    • @DanaC-ne7bc
      @DanaC-ne7bc 9 місяців тому +9

      It's what happened then. Many married young

    • @donny3926
      @donny3926 9 місяців тому +2

      @@DanaC-ne7bc exactly

    • @ChristineIdokogi
      @ChristineIdokogi 3 місяці тому +7

      Many were married off by parents that young to have another care for them and lessen their load. Their main asset was child bearing and child rearing to the men who married them. The term “barefoot and pregnant” was a real thing.

  • @danawinsor1380
    @danawinsor1380 3 місяці тому +11

    Viola Davis has the most beautiful alto speaking voice.

  • @laurencaulton103
    @laurencaulton103 Рік тому +81

    Viola, you haved bared your life to us, in all its trauma and glory. Your memoir shocked me, almost as much as my own trauma shook me. All those stories you bear fuel your A-list career. Thank you for sharing!

  • @highpsi11
    @highpsi11 Рік тому +16

    She's so correct about wanting a past that "elevates" us. But sometimes the opposite happens, or appears to. We have to decide for ourselves how to elevate ourselves because our predecessors haven't.

  • @pattyajones
    @pattyajones 8 місяців тому +6

    Viola's Autobiography is a MUST READ. Much respect to this human being.

  • @debbiereha1739
    @debbiereha1739 Рік тому +15

    She is such a classy lady.
    She’s not judgemental . She accepts the truth. None of us are better than anyone else. We are all equal. We all should look to her as a wonderful example of an extraordinary human being.

  • @nancyrobbins9190
    @nancyrobbins9190 11 місяців тому +25

    She’s blessed to be able to trace her history and figure this all out. I’m adopted and wish I had this lineage to trace! Beautiful class act she is!

    • @PHlophe
      @PHlophe 6 місяців тому +5

      Nanny, but you can locate distant relatives with DNA test . people do it all the time

  • @deealexander6178
    @deealexander6178 Рік тому +55

    Viola Davis is so beautiful. A truly professional actor, well known for her craft. ❤️🧡💛

  • @godschild6172
    @godschild6172 Рік тому +12

    This is why everyone should have an expert like this man. Your roots are extremely important.

  • @WilliamHunterII
    @WilliamHunterII Рік тому +15

    The thing is, none of this changes who you are. You are still the talented and beautiful Viola Davis that we love.

  • @TheSheGoz
    @TheSheGoz Рік тому +25

    Viola Davis is just an amazing person to behold. She's so authentic and real, incredibly talented, and just absolutely gorgeous. The fact that she's a woman of purpose and integrity, just add to her luster. She's someone I'd love to just have coffee and conversation with... After I got over being totally star struck of course.

  • @susanmark2000
    @susanmark2000 Рік тому +57

    I love her body of work and respect her so much as a person. What an interesting piece of family information for her to discover.

  • @maryj4595
    @maryj4595 Рік тому +12

    She is so well spoken and eloquent.

  • @ZeeGeeBee
    @ZeeGeeBee 2 місяці тому +3

    She is art.. so much talent, intellect and grace. One of my favorite actresses

  • @patricemitchell1
    @patricemitchell1 Рік тому +61

    It was very common it seems. I have heard this from many people. I definitely have secrets in my family history but what I discovered made me realize that this was actually my gift. It actually made me happy to learn my truth. I kept searching and dug up my truth and I’m glad I know now. I bet everyone has a gift buried down there too. I wish you all the luck!

  • @cefcat5733
    @cefcat5733 Рік тому +20

    I enjoy hearing the Professor's voice. I swear I saw him once or twice. Didn't know he was a celebrity. He has all the fun, with these lovely guest stars.

    • @Marcel_Audubon
      @Marcel_Audubon Рік тому

      I find him sorta annoying - wish they would replace him

  • @Hollergirlohio
    @Hollergirlohio Рік тому +84

    To grow to accomplish an EGOT. She is one to aspire to be like.

  • @betsy032785
    @betsy032785 Рік тому +18

    I have so much respect for Viola not just as an actress but as a human being . Such an asset and blessing to the black community.

    • @BA-ef4pr
      @BA-ef4pr 8 місяців тому

      She's an asset to the human race......no need to label her.

    • @kw2756
      @kw2756 4 місяці тому

      …And a blessing to all communities.

  • @johngroves9828
    @johngroves9828 Рік тому +11

    Her voice is amazing. I could listen to her talk all day long. Such a great actress.

  • @anthonydavid5121
    @anthonydavid5121 Рік тому +10

    Hey Viola, we dont know eachother but you and I graduated together from Rhode Island College, Class of 1988!!!! Hello from Barcelona. I loved watching this Viola, and dont so many of us have messy thruths, huh?

  • @SandyRed881
    @SandyRed881 Рік тому +67

    I love Viola Davis‘s work. I love what she said about mess. What if her grandmother was SA or something? I mean we’re talking about a child who’s 14,15 years old and the married man she got pregnant by was well into his late 20s with the same age wife. I know for a fact that horrible things happened to my own grandmother and her sister, when they were younger in South Carolina, and so many other families have stories. I do hate that they didn’t have laws to protect children back then like they do now.

    • @maxwell9084
      @maxwell9084 Рік тому +4

      This was so interesting, so many of us have similar stories

    • @kaiseremmanuel1585
      @kaiseremmanuel1585 14 днів тому

      Always with the "what if’s"
      What if you was exactly sleeping around and actually did that herself.. there’s always someone in the comments trying to remove all the blame from the woman…

    • @kaiseremmanuel1585
      @kaiseremmanuel1585 14 днів тому

      *she

  • @crafty-lady6853
    @crafty-lady6853 Рік тому +30

    She is the Real Deal. Love her and her talent.

  • @ceebee4750
    @ceebee4750 Рік тому +13

    I love her courage to look at life and people realistically... then embrace them with grace and wisdom.

  • @texastrustedoralsurgeon6830
    @texastrustedoralsurgeon6830 Рік тому +10

    Why am I drawn to Viola Davis? Seeing her act and seeing her accept awards for her acting make me want to see her more. This video is her not acting, and I am still drawn to her. She has a unique ability, her voice, her expressions, her look are irresistible.

  • @elizabethcamarena6763
    @elizabethcamarena6763 Рік тому +10

    Who doesn’t admire this dynamic woman! Also, she is still down to earth, after all her success!❤

  • @blacklovenlight
    @blacklovenlight Рік тому +8

    I think the saddest part is its hard, if not impossible, to find our truest roots from where our ancestors came from because such little record was kept about slaves that was seen as livestock. I remember trying to find my lineage in high school and only being able to go back to 1919, my great great grandmother but there is so much more.

  • @Keyee1
    @Keyee1 Рік тому +13

    What a beautiful, elegant woman Viola Davis is. I'm such a huge fan of hers. Everyone has a secret in their family, somewhere. I'm so happy that she learned things about her family. We have a fascinating family too. 💗💗💗

  • @theronedawson3236
    @theronedawson3236 Рік тому +12

    I have so much respect for this woman. What she just learned about her family roots is not so uncommon. Especially in the black community, and yet these things do happen with non people of color.
    What is done on the dark shall come to the light.
    Ms. Davis is a beautiful woman of substance.

  • @sialo1
    @sialo1 Місяць тому +1

    Viola is so composed and generous in the face of all this. And man she’s pretty. But I also have to say that Henry Louis Gates is such a fabulous host of this series. He knows when to be somber, when to lighten things up just a tad, and how to draw the innermost feelings out of a person. Kudos to him too.

  • @poltallach
    @poltallach 3 місяці тому +1

    Viola is brilliant and "we would like to create a past that benefits us" is so true of most of us. So very well said!

  • @darkmankind
    @darkmankind Рік тому +12

    My family has a lot of secrets as well. After my mother passed recently. I decided to do a DNA test to see what stories my life held. Hopefully, my journey will begin in April. I congratulate Ms. Davis for sharing her story, and I hope it encourages many more to find their own stories.

  • @tommymorano7254
    @tommymorano7254 Рік тому +27

    I found out that my grandmother was born to an affair in 1908, thru DNA, he never left his wife and my grandmother moved to MT, we were always told we were busby’s, DNA has changed the way we look at our families.

  • @ninja1antelope
    @ninja1antelope Рік тому +13

    Such a beautiful person, Inside and out. I wish the best for her.

  • @glorialange6446
    @glorialange6446 Рік тому +13

    Messy truths. I like Ms. Davis' comment and her view on this. We all have messy truths to confront and overcome. This was great.

  • @Irise.may05
    @Irise.may05 Рік тому +13

    Sadly, the reality is, that somewhere down one's lineage there's bound to be "messy truths". These "messy truths" might not have been by choice for some.

  • @Camiloken
    @Camiloken Рік тому +7

    What a beautiful person. Can’t help but think that when I hear her.

  • @Jvmedina27
    @Jvmedina27 Рік тому +24

    Now an EGOT artist! Amazing!

  • @fayjafa3169
    @fayjafa3169 Рік тому +24

    Viola Davis is such an eloquent speaker, she faces…and excepts the truthfulness of the lives of her ancestors with such candor, insightful- ness, compassion & understanding! She’s a phenomenal actress, a beautiful woman…and a stellar human being! I’m sure her ancestors are proud of her!
    I know I am!

  • @LuckiestStarByFar
    @LuckiestStarByFar Рік тому +8

    She is so beautiful. A woman of character and beauty.

  • @AL-fl4jk
    @AL-fl4jk Рік тому +11

    This woman is mesmerizing

  • @TaWandaJoyner
    @TaWandaJoyner 3 місяці тому +2

    👏👏👏Excellent genealogy research right here!! I love when the Truth /Secrets are exposed. Great work! Hats off to The Logans and The Youngs. You all produced Viola and We Love her!!👊🏽💝🌞🦋

  • @mjchiwara
    @mjchiwara 5 місяців тому +4

    EVERYTHING on Viola is perfection. Skin, lips, eyes, chin, cheeks ... everything.

  • @1006kathleen
    @1006kathleen Рік тому +6

    I love Viola she's such a kind caring intelligent young lady " I hope to see more of her on the screen .People who have her in their lives , friends and family are very blessed . 💖💕❤

  • @Mreffs101
    @Mreffs101 Рік тому +3

    "Silence is always interesting." Love this!

  • @mayetchells8884
    @mayetchells8884 6 місяців тому +2

    She is an exceptional actress, a beautiful woman, and it seems like she's kind and compassionate too

  • @PenelopeHighet
    @PenelopeHighet 3 місяці тому +1

    She’s wise person to engage with truth with acceptance and humanity and heart. I really appreciated this

  • @esterherschkovich5002
    @esterherschkovich5002 Рік тому +4

    Respect for all who served💛

  • @jernesehill1808
    @jernesehill1808 Рік тому +7

    It’s soooooo many secrets our down south elders hold on to. They were NOT big on talking even when it came to evil acts

  • @ladymary22
    @ladymary22 2 місяці тому +1

    She is so poetic in her manner

  • @charlesbeloved7951
    @charlesbeloved7951 Рік тому +12

    Fascinating history to one of our most gifted American actresses

  • @aboutdawntoday
    @aboutdawntoday Рік тому +24

    I loved Rhode Island but the racial tension made me not miss it when I left, like an abusive relationship.

    • @dila4834
      @dila4834 Рік тому

      I heard about that. They have nothing but are racist. Mind-boggling

  • @agl5132
    @agl5132 Рік тому +16

    Exactly. Love Viola. We all have a messy truth in our DNA. Those who claim perfection too hard often have the biggest messes. I hope she has made some connections with her newfound relatives.

    • @JanMike9
      @JanMike9 Рік тому +2

      One only has to look at the royal families' trees--if they were merely messy, that would be a huge improvement.

  • @vivienmcnaul109
    @vivienmcnaul109 Рік тому +12

    Secrets are in every family. My nanny was big one for not talking about certain things.

  • @srashworth
    @srashworth Рік тому +4

    Fascinating. I've watched this multiple times. Skip said that when Henry and Mozell Logan married in 1942, they had at least 18 children. I think I know why. Henry's mother died when he was 6. His birth father moved to Charlotte. That left Mozell's elderly parents to raise him. In the 1940 census, he is listed as being 15 years old, a couple of years off. His grandfather is 74 and his grandmother is 72. There were other cousins living with them who were 7 and 5. What that tells me is that Henry had his fill of being alone. When he got married, I think he said to Mozell, "We are going to have a BIG family so we never have to be alone ever again!"

  • @dianaeldemireveira2511
    @dianaeldemireveira2511 Рік тому +6

    Love Viola’s thoughtful responses

  • @octopussy888
    @octopussy888 Рік тому +15

    Life is soooo funny. Viola’s family history and life are very interesting. It’s just so twisted that he (John) just left his young child and acted like nothing ever happened. I also wonder why Gable never returned to South Carolina. And when it comes to messy truths, I guess we all have them.

  • @srashworth
    @srashworth Рік тому +2

    I did some digging and found Gable Logan in Newark, New Jersey, where he lived for the rest of his life. He never returned to St. Matthews.

  • @MsKISS6
    @MsKISS6 Рік тому +2

    I love that she calls our hometown of St. Matthews, S.C. home. ❤️❤️❤️

  • @fayc1804
    @fayc1804 Рік тому +6

    It's amazing that even though she was like the only Black child at the school and her family seemed to not have a choice and had to go to Rhode Island (like they were owned by somebody),
    she still excelled at that school and the teachers ALLOWED her to excell.

  • @sharone.langley2923
    @sharone.langley2923 Рік тому +9

    Some of Viola's family story reminds me of FENCES.

  • @emasters8619
    @emasters8619 10 місяців тому +1

    My goodness. PBS airs some of the best programs. I have not been into television viewing for awhile, but I'm grateful to be able to catch clips of this one here on UA-cam.

  • @rebeccamd7903
    @rebeccamd7903 14 днів тому

    Viola is so spiritually intelligent and strong. I love that she embraces hard truths. Our ancestors were human and just like the rest of us. Knowing the truth of how you came to be can be beautiful if you allow it. 🥰

  • @linedanzer4302
    @linedanzer4302 Рік тому +2

    Her candor is everything! The *messy truth* thrives all around us. Some own it and deal with it. Some bury it.

  • @daisycocoa2557
    @daisycocoa2557 Рік тому +4

    She handled this well.

  • @Sopra555t
    @Sopra555t 11 місяців тому +2

    Viola is amazingly talented and brilliant .

  • @alvarovaldovinos6836
    @alvarovaldovinos6836 Місяць тому

    This womans patience and compassion is just amazing.

  • @latricemoore4658
    @latricemoore4658 Рік тому +3

    I am so glad I watched this; especially after reading her book.

  • @Tavosmother
    @Tavosmother Рік тому +5

    My gosh! Viola is so absolutely beautiful!

  • @be.amazingkelly
    @be.amazingkelly 4 місяці тому

    OMG.....I just love how eloquent she speaks....always have the right words to express herself .

  • @stevenavarette9334
    @stevenavarette9334 Рік тому +4

    Everything Viola Davis plays in, is incredible!
    I just saw the woman King...
    Ahhh man what a great movie!
    Blessings and prayers to Everyone
    💜✨🙏🕊️🙏✨💜

  • @customcalendars4u2
    @customcalendars4u2 Рік тому +3

    Viloa Davis what a talent..... Millions of families around the globe got this story full of innuendo's, hidden secrets and open secrets. One thing I learned about parent's who raise they're children, they never tell you what they've done (mistakes made in life) but instead always telling you what they DON'T want you to do which is why it's hard for children to humanize their parents. This constant projecting of fears onto us is what let's us know that our parents have done it all and to the fullest!

  • @zanthus7
    @zanthus7 Рік тому +20

    Wow. I wonder who took care of Henry after his mother died? Both of his fathers (alleged and biological) were gone and Henry was only 4 years old.

    • @LostinMayberry
      @LostinMayberry Рік тому +11

      I did some poking around on Ancestry for his childhood. In 1940 he’s 15 living with his Grandparents William and Minty Ravenel. His WW2 registration mentions Willie Ravenel as his next of kin. There was a William Jr and Sr so it could have been his Uncle or Grandfather who lived to 1953. I can’t find a census record for William or Minty (Mittie) in 1930 so I don’t know if he lived with them in 1930, but hopefully so. His mother had a sister Alice or Alicia and must have had another sister as gchildren named Burton are living with William and Minty in 1920 so he could have been with an Aunt or Uncles family as well. It definitely looks like based on the census I can find Henry’s grandparents kept family close.

    • @misssterling3094
      @misssterling3094 Рік тому +6

      His parents had 18 children, so there were probably older siblings there to support.

    • @angeliquediablo84
      @angeliquediablo84 Рік тому

      @@LostinMayberry Do you research people's lineage? Can you give me some tips?

    • @LostinMayberry
      @LostinMayberry Рік тому +1

      @@angeliquediablo84 I’m just an enthusiastic amateur. Is there something I can help you with?

    • @lyndaslocs
      @lyndaslocs Рік тому

      @@angeliquediablo84 Census records.

  • @flitv6093
    @flitv6093 4 місяці тому

    Viola is a favorite of ours. Thank you for letting us get to know her. Amazing.

  • @nunyabusiness3920
    @nunyabusiness3920 Рік тому +2

    A very rare PBS video that they forgot to turn the comments off.

  • @ramonacain-jackson3153
    @ramonacain-jackson3153 Рік тому +3

    It is certainly life affirming! There’s nothing new under the sun, for sure. Gracious lady to share some of her tree with us!

  • @dakotac180
    @dakotac180 Рік тому +3

    She's amazing and her story holds true to the head on her shoulders.
    I have the same story with my grandpa's dad not being his real dad, don't know the story though...but I'm Kansas

  • @darryltara773
    @darryltara773 Рік тому +2

    Man, we all have secrets in our families. I'd love for them to dive into my family's past, I love this type of stuff.

  • @barrychilds109
    @barrychilds109 Рік тому +1

    I am a huge admirer of all of Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s documentary work