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The ‘Roots’ of Slavery and Its Lasting Effects

September 5, 2025

The 1976 publication and television adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots" marked a watershed moment in American cultural history, coming in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement and the assassinations of major civil rights figures. The autobiographical saga powerfully illustrated the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade while inspiring African Americans to reconnect with their heritage, particularly through giving their children African-themed names. Experts like Dr. Kellie Jackson and Walter Palmer note that "Roots" built upon the work of previous Black historians while helping to reshape how Americans understood slavery by humanizing the enslaved as families and communities who suffered but also built the nation.

Who is affected

  • African Americans seeking to understand and connect with their heritage
  • Parents giving their children African-themed names as expressions of pride and historical connection
  • White Americans whose understanding of slavery was influenced by seeing enslaved people as families and communities
  • Native Americans who continue to face voting restrictions and historical erasure
  • Historians and museum curators who were challenged to be more inclusive in their storytelling
  • Educational institutions teaching American history
  • Visitors to former plantation sites that now focus on the experiences of enslaved people

What action is being taken

  • Museums like the Whitney Plantation and McLeod Plantation Historic Site are rejecting white-dominated narratives to focus on the experiences of enslaved people
  • The National Museum of African American History and Culture is operating on the National Mall after opening in 2016
  • Former plantation sites are being established as places of memory and potential healing where slavery and American racism can be examined
  • Academic institutions are pursuing more inclusive social histories that go beyond stories of "rich white guys"
  • Museums and historic sites are recognizing the need to tell more diverse American stories

Why it matters

  • "Roots" helped place African Americans within the context of national history during a critical period following the Civil Rights Movement
  • The book and miniseries humanized enslaved populations as families and communities who experienced pain but also built the country
  • The work inspired many African Americans to learn more about their family histories
  • It contributed to a shift in academic approaches to history, encouraging more inclusive social histories
  • The impact of "Roots" helped generate demand for more diverse American stories in museums and educational settings
  • It represents part of an ongoing effort to address America's history of discrimination against various non-white groups

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint