“Breathe there a man with soul so dead…”that he does not remember, or at least has heard of the documentary “ROOTS?” The TV presentation of this once best-seller depicting Alex Haley’s 12-year search into the history of his ancestry that once broke all records in TV viewing beyond all doubt! This stirring presentation, built around actual history, was viewed by millions with almost as many varied reactions.
It is said that, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” So too is ugliness, resentment and/or compassion with open-minded respect for better under-standing. Just remember, “The imperfect eye beholds imperfection.”
Most viewers were appalled at sight of the physical abuse the early slaves were subjected to. Others were happy to find visual justification for their preconceived attitudes of contempt. For some it depicted the progress American Blacks have made during the past 200 years while others plainly derived from it the progress America has made from it during this time-span.
The most disturbing thing, however is how unaware we are of how multiple and varied remain the types of slavery that still remain in existence in our American nation that promises “…with freedom and justice for ALL!”
As in the story ROOTS, following the American Revolution many Blacks as well as Whites moved North to “freedom” only to become shackled to the fast pace of big-city life or chained to “the almighty-$,”– the only god some worship. While assuming a false sense of security in their quest for freedom they have become instead totally possessed, owning nothing and, regardless of how large their paycheck, it is totally consumed by current lifestyle.
The chains of today’s new slavery remain respecter of neither race nor age, yet continue to spread throughout this nation among rich and poor. The big squeeze is still felt more by independent businesses as they often pose the biggest threat. “If you can’t convince them, confuse them until you can control them!”
As for the overemphasized pride in our genetic roots, few indeed are the Americans of today who can boast of such puritanical linage! The one identity of all mankind is with our One Creator! The physical infant needs physical parental roots that, as it matures can reverse the situation, Mankind no exception.
The story of ROOTS is a stirring, thought-provoking account of real American history; a story that should make both Black and White alike more cognizant of the fact that people command respect (or disrespect) by what we DO, more so than by who we are. And that the loss of freedom–the most precious gift on earth–is just as bitter, no matter how lost.
“In God we trust,” on most American currency, applies especially while in His Company!
