"Holding your identity and your humanity against incredible opposition and brutality- that will always be relevant. There is no right or wrong time to tell that story." - Regé-Jean Page (Chicken George)
Cultural Impact: Alex Haley's Roots: The Saga of an American Family began as a novel following the journey of African Mandinka warrior, Kunta Kinte, and his descendants through the slave trade. Written by a "seventh-generation descendant" of Kunta Kinte himself and published in 1976, an era of growth and movement for civil rights, Roots has always pushed the boundaries of American comfort zones. When it was adapted into a four part television event in 1977, the world met Roots in a new light. In an America in which slavery was often likened to the past at the reality that speaking its name exposes its face, the mini-series was a necessary 'not so fast' to the vicious pattern of oppression. It has always been unproductive to ignore history. We must understand the roots- if you will- of the ugly timeline constructing racial injustice in order to create a present day we can proudly look in the eye.
"We are speaking to the global issue of race relations and the history of Africa and the history of America. That's why we have to do Roots again." - Mark Wolper (executive producer)
A brand new vision: While the original Roots series served us education and honest representation, a combination of new technology and newfound research called for a recreation. The new generation was in need of a visual learning experience that could educate and move us collectively. That's where A&E/The History Channel comes in. Both true to history and raw in its retelling, the compelling force that is Roots 2016 is beautifully rare. We all have a memory connected to our first experience watching the mini-series- many of us having been shown Roots (1977) by our families at some point or another. When Roots (2016) was once again released as a four night showing event, it successfully delivered itself to a new generation of self-sufficient millennials. (Thus, showing us that history is always worthy of learning no matter where we are through the ages.) I have no doubt that it will certainly live on to enlighten future generations just as its senior has. But how does the past relate to the issues today?
"You ain't never seen a fighter like me." - Chicken George
Strength in Spirit: In avoidance of repetition, learning the accurate background of black history better helps us to comprehend and change the issues we face in 2016. Roots has managed to hand us the truth on a visually compelling platter in a rather easily distracted world. Perhaps the most important takeaway from the series is the focus on the strength among slaves amidst suffering. The theme of Roots has always been representative of the African-American spirit that lives to face the racial injustices of today- rising high above unequal grounds. We are still facing prejudice-fueled societal 'norms.' It's important to remember that calling out the flaws in a system does not counteract the progress it has made. Now as much as ever, it is crucial that we extend ourselves to those still victim to the dangerous cycle. The ability to not only go on but hold your head high, even after turn on the news in 2016 and seeing people of your race receiving deplorable maltreatment, is true bravery to me. Parents who can now only hold their child in their heart because they have been wrongfully killed, young African American men with pits in their stomach when they hear sirens, peaceful protesters dedicating their time to standing up for human rights despite criticism and backlash... that is true bravery. A fighting spirit is and will always be empowering no matter what today's issues look like. We, as a whole of humanity, are fighting the good fight when it comes to combating inequality but it will require the strength of spirit that Roots demonstrates to eradicate it in its entirety.
"Papa, I will be strong like you taught me." - Kizzy
Loyalty and Kin: Roots sheds a light on the loyalty within African American families. Finding a foundation in an otherwise traumatic reality is truly to seek shelter from the storm despite living in the eye of it. African strength in spirituality and culture innately translated to strong family connections despite the world around them being turned on its head. One of the most famous lines from the mini-series is "you're name is your shield," a universal truth spoken by Omoro Kinte that speaks volumes to the values passed on all the way from Africa through America and England. Raw performances making up the 2016 installment powerfully gifted us with unrefined vulnerability as history progresses and time takes each generation through slavery. Deep devotion to one another, be it through biological connection, marriage or surrounding community, runs deeply through each character. Today, a sense of family support is not always held to same level of value. We have become so set on ensuring our success is a journey traveled independently so that we can credit ourselves alone that we, as a society, have formed a habit of discrediting the value of having loved ones in our corner. We can take a lesson from the profound respect slaves had for kinship and love.
"They can put the chains on your body. Never let them put the chains on your mind." - Kunta Kinte
Rational Solutions: I am all too familiar with the rage that comes along with the seemingly ever-present news breaking with more racial oppression. I know the helplessness that comes upon watching security footage of an African American being gunned down with his hands up. The next time tears well in my eyes at the disappointment in my world, I will follow the divine courage displayed by slaves in theirs. If they could hold their identities near and dear through their unspeakable pain then surely I can take my anger on the subject and turn it into fuel. I have to believe that helplessness is a state of mind and that change comes from within. If I want a society of integrity, it starts with me. After watching Roots, I did not experience the response I expected from myself- the hot-blooded, angry circle effect that witnessing violence inspires. I was moved past it. I felt inspired like a calm thunder. I needed the in-depth look into the heart of the matter and I got it through tuning in those four nights. I felt like truth had entered my heart in a new way. I was, and am, more inspired than ever to use my voice to speak out against inequality, to use my mind to create rational solutions and most importantly to allow my heart to guide me in living my life at a higher awareness to history's roots- thanks to History's Roots. (coincidental play on words worth documenting!)
"You must always ask yourself if you know you are standing up for what is right." - Forest Whitaker (Fiddler)
Applying Knowledge: Understanding the origin of racism gives us wisdom that provides the proper tools as to how to take action against more recent displays. We cannot recreate history but we can use it to our advantage.
So how can we use the teachings of Roots to combat injustice of 2016? Running the gamut from the slave trade to stop-and-frisk racial profiling and police brutality, defeating oppression can only happen through proper knowledge with desire for equality through peaceful action. Roots provides us with information deriving from the heart of it all- remaining true to the strength of the human soul. We must draw from the resiliency of those who came before us and apply their strategies to obtaining peace now. We can rise up together and thrive in freedom despite history's many flaws- but we can only do so together as one through faith in humanity.
Roots left me feeling more faith than fear. Above it all, Roots sends the message: "If you attempt to dehumanize me, I will simply show you my soul." And that sentiment is as plausible a solution today as it has ever been.
