Watching ROOTS 2016

It is difficult to watch history at times, even historical fiction. Our 2016 class watched the latest version of ROOTS, and, judging from the responses I heard from the class, it was impactful, if nothing else. It 'dove-tailed' well with our in class study. We had the opportunity to see a more truthful characterization of precolonial Africa. We could clearly see that Africa was not just jungle and Timbuktu isn't a fictional mystical place but an actual city of academia, advanced culture and technology.

Be warned, ROOTS 2106 is graphic, violent, and real. This isn't a negative rather, it is important to show. In this day and age these historical situations must be brought into a real and serious light as 'revisionist history' is popular in an attempt to reduce the culpability of certain segments of our society. The benefits, assets and liabilities of the European Slave Trade are still evident in today's society.
Although many students came and discussed how hard it was to watch the mini-series, I expressed to them that I'm sure it was more difficult to endure the hardships than to watch them.

The ROOTS story is particularly close and relevant to me as I am a descendant of the 'Under Ground Railroad'. This is not only the story of 'African's in the Americas' but my family history, which I share openly with my students.

As a history enthusiast I would really recommend this new ROOTS as a way to engage the concept of slavery, that being said, it is a heavy engagement. You have to plan for a certain amount of equity in the process. Be ready to debrief and decompress.