VIDEO

Roots as Untold History

“Roots” actors Leslie Uggams (Kizzy) and LeVar Burton (the young Kunta Kinte) talk about how the miniseries brought untold African-American history to light, making “Roots” a lesson for everyone.  The miniseries “Roots” is featured on the Pioneers of Television: Miniseries episode, premiering Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 8 pm on PBS.

  • Lori

    This series touched me as a young adult. I still remember being riveted to the set and thinking, as a white person, about people of color in a way I had never thought of them before. There was an emotional honesty in that series that you don’t often see, and I am grateful that ‘Roots’ made it to the little screen.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kelley-Maginnis/692306577 Kelley Maginnis

      I feel the same way. And I’ve been a fan of LeVar Burton ever since.

      • Christine

        I also feel the same way. When I grew up and became a history teacher, I included parts of the book roots into my lesson plans, so that the human element LeVar talks about would be included.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1031933557 Audrey Bam Jackson

    i love this series ,because when i was a child i was a shame of being dark black .my peoples always never clam to be black, they was black&white, or black & Spanish or mix black, never just black. but when i saw the horror of slavery and the strength of the slave.i was proud of them ,proud to be black . we when though more horror and pain then any other people in the world and we still push on , we still love and care for other . no matter what happen we are still here with strong love hearts . we will be here forever !

  • Paula MacPherson

    As a 12 year old white Canadian girl, I was riveted to this series in 1977. This taught me lessons that were sorely lacking from my formal history education. I want my children to watch this series. I believe they will see it through different eyes than I did. I grew up in a family that harbored much racism of other cultures. I was ashamed of this and spoke up against it whenever it reared its ugly head.
    My husband and I raise our children in a family environment not of “tolerance” but of “acceptance”. In our family we do not “put up with” other cultures. We welcome them, learn from them and accept them. Our family has many friends of various ethnic backgrounds. We often celebrate and enjoy sharing the various cultural differences. Yes, Canada may be “the melting pot”, however I believe our histories are vital to our understanding and accepting of each other, not as various ethnic groups, but as human beings. We have far more in common than we have differences. “Roots” has played a large role in shaping my perspective from a young age and for that I am grateful.