yophil angelides coming up right now. >> all i know is his name is james, and he needs extra help>> i am james. >> yes. >> to everyone making a difference, you help us all live better. >> nationwide insurance proudly supports tavis smiley. tavis and nationwide insurance, working to improve financial literacy and the economic empowerment that comes with it. your side ♪ >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like thank you. at pbs.org tavis: tarek masoud is an assistant professor at harvard university who has many friends and family-egypt. good to have you on this program. >> thanks for having me. tavis: let me start about asking about your family-egypt. >> there were some pretty rough days early on when the internet was shut off during those nights of chaos, but they are pretty happy right now. tavis: happy about what specifically. >> happy that mubarak is gone. happy that egypt seems to have taken a really important first step on the road to what everyone hopes will be a lasting democracy. tavis: is it a first death in the right direction? >> it was a necessary step.