In at least 100 words, explain why Gates's premise that the authentication of Wheatley as the original author of her poetry had repercussions way beyond her own future.

I stand here as a fellow countryman of Thomas Jefferson, in several senses: as a citizen, like all of you, of the republic of letters; as an American who believes deeply in the soaring promise of the Declaration of Independence--housed so near to us in the National Archives; and as a native of Piedmont.