"Some people are uncomfortable with the idea that humans belong to the same class of animals as cats and cows and raccoons. They're like the people who become successful and then don't want to be reminded of the old neighborhood"

This quote by Phil Donahue is referring to the idea that people are animals, just like cats, cows, and raccoons. Some individuals are uneasy with this idea, and try to distance themselves from it. This is similar to people who become effective and don't wish to be reminded of their past. They wish to forget where they originated from and the struggles they dealt with to get to where they are. This quote is a reminder that no matter how successful somebody is, they still belong to the very same class of animals as cats, cows, and raccoons. We all have the exact same origins, and it is necessary to keep in mind that.