Why did Gates' premise that the authentication of Wheatley as the original author of her poetry have repercussions way beyond her own future?

Gates' authentication of Wheatley's authorship challenged prevailing racist beliefs about African Americans' intellectual capabilities and reinforced the idea that people of African descent were capable of producing sophisticated literary works. This had broader implications for the recognition and acceptance of African American literature and culture in society, paving the way for future generations of black writers and thinkers.