The Roots of American Segregation Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email Historian Nicholas Guyatt argues in a new book that segregation originated from the ideas of well-meaning whites in the early republic. ( Jim Bourdier / Associated Press ) Produced by Ellen Frankman Produced by GBH, PRX and WNYC Studios