John Hope Franklin Puts a 'Mirror to America'
Historian John Hope Franklin lives in Durham, N.C., near the John Hope Franklin Center for Interdisciplinary and International Studies at Duke University. Named in Franklin's honor, it opened in 2000. Tina Tennessen, NPR hide caption
Historian John Hope Franklin has spent much of his life -- 90 years, so far -- investigating the legacy of slavery in America.
More from the Interview
In addition to chronicling American history, Franklin has also witnessed it. Here are some more of his memories and thoughts.
On the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921
On Reparations for Slavery
On the Lynching of a Classmate
On FDR's Visit to Fisk University
He has been more than a chronicler of the African American experience. Franklin was, in fact, an important player in the Civil Rights movement, helping Thurgood Marshall and his team craft their landmark Brown v. Board of Education case against school segregation.
Debbie Elliott talks with Franklin about his new memoir, Mirror to America.
Tina Tennessen produced this story.
