One of the most influential and enlightening scholars in contemporary academia who focuses primarily on African American issues, both past and present, is undoubtedly Henry Louis Gates, Jr . Born in 1950 and raised in the small, middle-class "colored" community of Piedmont, West Virginia, Gates' acclaimed 1995 autobiography, Colored People, takes readers to a place and time in America where both borders racial groups that the definition of progress changed weekly. Colored People, however, is not specifically about race. Rather, it is a story about how his family existed during a unique time in American history, a time when attempts at desegregation were just beginning. Starting with a preface that takes the form of a letter written to his daughters, Maggie and Liza, and continuing throughout the rest of the book, Gates – despite graduating summa cum laude from Yale and earning a Ph.D. from Cambridge University - writes his autobiography in such an accessible conversational tone that it seems as if he is telling his story to the reader in person and for the first time, thus making us understand and empathize with it more. Through her story, she provides details on all the characters who influenced her life: from Uncle Earke the turkey, who loved to rail against the female sex, to her grandmother Big Mom, who founded the local Episcopal church, to her very first love, little bookworm Linda, and finally Reverend Monroe, who inspired everyone who came in contact with him, but pay particular attention to the description of his mother. Based on what was written in Colored People, Gates' mother was one of the most courageous, knowledgeable and determined people... middle of paper... ored People shows, minorities, if they have access to the right sources, can succeed in America and it does. It is only those – although there are many, as Colored People also demonstrates – who are truly disadvantaged who need government assistance to obtain essential resources – income, family stability, housing, education and positive peer support. peers – so they can become more mobile. Ultimately, Gates, through his personal family and life experiences, emphasizes that color is truly only on the surface. We are all human beings, and the reason inequality exists in America has nothing to do with color, but rather access to resources. Works CitedGates, Henry Louis, Jr. Colored People: A Memoir. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1995. Gross, George R. Selected Essays on Minority Groups. Northern Michigan University, 2011-2013.