of america is built on slavery. is that an over statement? >> it's not. slavery was essential to the rise of american capitalism. it made people wealthy in the 19th century. it allowed folks, their folks, descendents to accumulate wealth have security stability and opportunities that weren't available to the enslaved population or oh descendents. >> yet is ben affleck right that we don't deserve credit or oh blame for our ancestors? it occurs to me that part of how the finding your roots series is set up from the beginning is the idea that we'll find stories and the stories will reveal something about who you are. so if you have someone this the past who was great then you are meant to feel good about that. well, if you have shn in the past who participated in the peculiar institution of slavery then aren't you also meant to then somehow feel responsible for that? >> i don't think we have to feel responsible for our ancestors.