Addressing the root of it all
by Anti-Racist Parent Columnist Liz Dwyer
Thirty years have passed since the name “Kunta Kinte” was etched into my memory. The miniseries Roots was my first real education about the chattel slavery that held this nation in its grip for so many generations. I vividly remember sitting on the couch in my family’s den, curled up next to my mom and dad, watching Kunta Kinte getting brutally whipped for trying to escape from the plantation.
A couple weeks ago, TV One rebroadcast the miniseries in its entirety, showing two hours every night. I wanted to watch it, but I also knew my two sons would want to see whatever I was watching. I found myself feeling unsure about if I should let them watch Roots or if I should pop Happy Feet into the DVD player in my bedroom to distract them.
I absolutely want to educate my boys about the true history of race in this country. That certainly includes the horror of slavery. After all, how can they be advocates for racial unity if they don’t understand the history behind why things are the way they are?
What is the right age is to start to talk to kids about slavery? Although my parents certainly ascribed to “the earlier the better” school of thought, I figured my youngest son didn’t need to see it because at three he’s just too little. However, my eldest is six, two years older than I was when Roots was first broadcast. I have yet to discuss slavery with him so I wondered if watching Roots would be a good entry point into the conversation.
I also remembered how violent and brutal many of the scenes are and I knew I didn’t want him seeing scenes of beatings and rape. I figured I could just boot him from the room when those scenes were about to come on. I’ve done that successfully with Pirates of the Caribbean so why not with Roots?
A much bigger worry was that he might not be interested in the subject. Forcing him to watch Roots didn’t feel right, and I didn’t know if I could handle him saying, in the middle of Kunta getting chased by the slave catchers, “This is boring! Can I go play video games?”
And if he wasn’t interested, what would that say about me as a parent? Would it mean that I am failing to instill a strong black identity in him? And would he start asking his white kindergarten teacher, “Mr. Wagner, do you own slaves?”
Despite my worries and uncertainty, the first night of the Roots broadcast finally came. While LeVar Burton gave his amazing performance as Kunta Kinte, my youngest son was busily playing in his room with his Thomas the Tank Engine train set, only emerging to unsuccessfully beg for cookies.
However, my eldest son was absolutely riveted. As he watched, he had a million questions. Some reflected the fantasies of the six year-old mind. “Why can’t Kunta just use his superpowers to get away? That’s what I would do!”
Other questions reflected his worries. “Are slave catchers going to try to catch me too?”
I explained that slavery ended 144 years ago and since it was in the past, he didn’t have to worry about slave catchers. He was relieved about that. (I’m pretty relieved about that too!)
Then he asked, “If I lived back then, would I be a slave?” I had to tell him, “Yes, most likely. Unfortunately.”
“And so the white people would own me?”
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look of shock on his face when I told him, “Yes.”
My son was absolutely outraged. “But that’s not right to own other people or be mean to them just because they’re black!”
Of course, I agreed with him. And then he said something that made me realize that children are much smarter than we give them credit for.
“It must have made those white people really sad to be so mean to the slaves.”
At first I wanted to cynically reply that they weren’t that sad since they were getting rich off the backs of the slaves. But then I realized that my son was, on a rudimentary level, grasping what so many of us adults miss, that slavery (and the racial residue it’s left behind) negatively affected everyone, not just black people.
After about an hour, he asked to go play his video game and I felt fine letting him go. He popped back out a few times just to check and see if Kunta had escaped. Upon discovering that the escape still hadn’t materialized, he fervently shouted at the TV, “Use your superpowers, Kunta! Don’t give up!”
I’m honored to be my son’s first teacher about slavery and I’m glad I decided to let him watch Roots. I can only hope that in another 30 years when he’s showing the miniseries to his own kids, that our collective journey to racial unity will be achieved.
Liz Dwyer lives in Los Angeles with her husband of seven years, Elarryo Bolden and her two sons, ages six and three. Her great sense of adventure and desire to learn about diverse cultures took her to Guangzhou, China where she taught English to third and fourth graders, picked up some Mandarin, and managed to get into seven bike accidents. Liz also taught in Compton, CA for three years and now works for national education non-profit, Teach For America. She loves to write and reflect on the world around her and has blogged for over two years at Los Angelista’s Guide to the Pursuit of Happiness.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Kim wrote:
“Use your superpowers , Kunta!”
Alright, little man. Alright.
Liz, that was courageous of you, introducing Roots, for all the reasons you mentioned, though particularly for the vivid, brutal scenes.
I would (have) introduced some texts on the subject first, and then included an approach from Julius Lester on seeking to examine and reflect on the enormous impact that the holding of other human beings in shackles had on Whites; shifting the examination of the virtue or survival instinct of Blacks, and examining those same elements as concerns those Whites who were the instruments (both passively and otherwise) of the shackling.
But, hey, your son went there right away.
I’ve owned the miniseries (Roots I) for a few years, having found it in the discount rack at some drug store and snatched it up without a second thought. But I have not watched it yet.
I’m actually thinking of introducing Spike Lee’s ‘X’ first, as the more contemporary nature of the issues, and the language of resistance there, are more familiar to my chldren.
Only Eyes on the Prize is next, and I am in no rush to have them see that. I can barely keep it together after watching.
This is a seminal moment in your son’s understanding of the harsh histories and realities that impact his world; a seminal moment in your own leaping of faith as a mother as you step out into new territory with him.
You are a keen-eyed guide. Let us know about the reverb.
Posted 04 May 2007 at 10:16 am ¶
Chas wrote:
This is an interesting quandary. It’s funny that thinking back I can’t begin to recall the moment when I learned about slavery. I feel like I’ve always known of its existence but thats obviously not the case.
Posted 05 May 2007 at 3:56 am ¶
James wrote:
Good stuff Liz. I don’t any children of my own yet, but I often wondered when was a good age to start introducing topics like that. After teaching 7 years olds, I am not surprised at all about what your son picked up on, even after such a brief introduction to slavery. Since you are starting this discussion now, imagine how that conversation will look in 3, 4 years. That’s going to be something!
Posted 06 May 2007 at 10:14 pm ¶
Meera wrote:
Thanks for this insightful piece, Liz. Roots is definately on the list of films that will be “required viewing” as our kids get older. I’ll brace myself for the “But do I haaave to? I want to go skateboard/go to so and so’s house/go do something else!”, ’cause that’s bound to happen.LOL But as long as these films are part of an ongoing discussion, I’ll feel like we’re on the right track.
It really is up to parents with these things, considering slavery is barely touched on at most schools (I think my suburban, public school spent, like, two days on it). I think Schindler’s List and Roots should be shown at middle schools across the country as well as films about The Trail of Tears and internment camps, etc. It’s ugly, but still important to understanding race and the history of this country. Everyone needs this understanding, not just minorities.
Anyway, I love the super powers comment (out of the mouths of babes, I swear! Kiss him for me for that one). Wouldn’t it be great if we all could do that to get ourselves out of certain situations?;)
Posted 07 May 2007 at 10:49 am ¶
OTL wrote:
Liz, it’s so great to read your experience, introducing slavery, and your honest questions and answers regarding race and life. I remember Roots, I was, I think, in 5th or 6th grade (maybe even older? not sure) but growing up in another country, I did not fully appreciate it. At the time, I thought it was only about long ago, but now I understand how this story is also about now, i.e. the continuing past, the ruling class, the economics and politics of race, and so much more.
Posted 07 May 2007 at 1:25 pm ¶
Kari wrote:
Kudos to you Liz! There is never an easy time or an easy way to discuss these topics, and I am glad the trial by fire worked for your little one. On MLK Jr. Day I was talking to my class of 4th and 5th grade students with special needs, all of whom are Latino except Cory, a blonde hair blue eyed student that looks like he could be my son. I was explaining to them why we have a holiday on Monday and why MLK Jr. was an amazing man. Cory and I looked at each other with feelings of guilt for being white. It is the errors of my ancestors which lead me to go above and beyond to ensure I do all I can to erase and prevent racism… and promote equal opportunity in our still (although unofficial) segregated schools.
Posted 07 May 2007 at 10:43 pm ¶
Liz wrote:
Kim,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ve found a couple of children’s books that talk about slavery and so I’m looking forward to some read-alouds with my sons. If you have any suggestions, definitely pass them my way because I need them!
Chas,
I know what you mean. I know my parents were always having conversations about our nation’s storied racial past and I know we watched a whole lot of PBS back then, but I can’t pinpoint an exact moment either.
James,
I do wonder what kind of conversations we’re going to be having in the future. I can’t wait till he’s old enough to read history books.
Meera,
I absolutely agree about those films needing to be seen in schools. I think we spent about two days on slavery as well at my high school. It was stuck into the Civil War unit. And yes, my son somehow manages to infuse a comment about super heroes into every discussion. He’s obsessed! He makes me wish every single slave had had some super powers back then. I sometimes wish I had some too.
OTL,
I think it can be so appealing to not remember slavery because then we have license to believe that everything is alright and all the wounds and hurts are healed. But we do continue so many of the social and psychological legacies.
Kari,
The kudos should go to you for teaching your students about MLK and slavery. If more folks saw it as their responsibility to go above and beyond, this country, as I’m sure you know, would be a totally different place.
Posted 09 May 2007 at 4:13 pm ¶
Lori wrote:
Liz,
I have two sons, 5 and 2 and this question has so been on my mind. When do I start to explain, not just slavery, but the peculiar significance of race in this country. I want my boys to be knowlegeable and proud, but I don’t want to burden them with hatred or shame.
And meanwhile while I’m trying to figure this all out, my son is coming home from his Quaker kindergarten talking about what an important man MLK was and did I know that Addy, the American Girl, was a slave! So whatever I decide to do, I better do it quick, because the rest of the world sure isn’t waiting for me to make up my mind.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Posted 09 May 2007 at 10:42 pm ¶
Catalina Quinones-Ne wrote:
Liz,
I remember seeing Roots as a child - and how it affected me. I cried, I was hurt inside, I hated those mean “white” people, except for the young couple that had a conscious. When it came back on t.v recently, I told my husband that I wanted our children to watch it. He thought it was too violently vivid and they may have nightmares - he felt they were too young - 6 years old.
I, too, have read many books about being “different” and embracing differences and similarities. I am trying to introduce the topic of “slavery” and “injustices”, this is tough because I don’t want to much of my hurt and anger to trickle down to them.
Working in a low income school district seeing the social injustice done to our brown and black babies still make me hurt inside. Thank you for sharing your story. I will have the “when is a good time to watch “Roots” conversation with my husband again .”
Posted 21 Jul 2008 at 9:05 pm ¶