I just finished watching "Roots". I knew this year was the 30th anniversary of the tv miniseries, and when my husband told me we had the first DVD version, I knew I really wanted to see it.  I remember it vaguely being on tv as a child, and really not paying much attention.  I was 5 when it first aired, and I'm not sure how many years it might have aired after that.  One thing was very clear as I watched it over the last few days- it should still be played every single year.  Not only on BET.  Not only on TVOne. That's just preaching to the choir, it's what they all ready know, and not everyone gets those stations.  ABC, NBC- those are the channels that need to pick this up and air it. 

Every single February.  Anyone who thinks Black History Month should not be celebrated (and I know many who think this) needs to watch this movie.  Anyone who says slavery no longer matters in today's world, needs to watch this movie.  Many times I found myself sitting there with mouth open, because I heard many things being said THAT ARE STILL SAID TODAY.  The same thinking STILL HAPPENS TODAY. 

Schools need to implement this movie into curriculums, because our children need to know.  My daughter, who is about to turn 10, walked in the room as I was watching one evening.  First question was "what are you watching."  Then she wanted to know if it was a true story.  I said yes.  It happened to be just before Kunta was going to be whipped into saying his slave name, Toby.  He was chained and being dragged by a horse.  She asked again if this really happened, and I said yes.  Told her it was a horrible part of America's history, but it's true.  People were treated this way.  She had to go to bed, but she did ask if she could watch the whole thing with me sometime. 

What was odd was my gut reaction.  It was no.  What I've been wondering about was exactly why that was my first reaction.  To protect her?  Because it shows violence?  The breasts being shown on the women in the beginning?  I really am not sure.  As I continued watching, I found myself wanting to share this with her more and more.  The last thing I want is to shield truth from her.  She (and everyone) needs to know that this history remains as equally important today, as it did 30 years ago.  As it will 30 years from now.

I do know one thing, I'm going to write these networks to see how it can be aired again.  What really stinks is I wonder how much editing they would feel they needed to do before airing something.  If there was uproar over an exposed breast for a flash during the Superbowl, there is no WAY they are not going to blur out the breasts on the women in the scenes from Africa.  I also don't know if our tightwad country would be able to handle the slang being used either, even if it is in the correct historical context.  Some non-thinker is going to be offended, and I could see a network just saying no to airing it, rather than dealing with any sort of backlash.

But it's a beautiful movie, I had no idea how beautiful at all.  Everyone should introduce themselves to Roots, or re-introduce themselves if it's been decades since you've seen it. 

Dave, I will watch it again in a heartbeat- so get this movie so we can watch it together! You, me and my Alli.