Re-Discovering Roots

“Re-Discovering Roots,” a series of programs related to the history-making miniseries, Roots, will be presented on the Grinnell College campus between September 19th and 28th. The presentations are designed to examine the miniseries both from its impact when it premiered in 1977 and its relevance today.

“Remembering Race, Turning to Television,” presented by Grinnell College English Department professor Theresa L. Geller, will open the programs on Friday, September 19, at 4:15 p.m. in the Forum South Lounge. Professor Geller will explore how televisual culture has represented Black America and the continuing challenge of understanding these representations as well as discuss the continuing affects and impact of Roots on television today and what led up to its historical intervention.

Roots will be shown in six episodes from Sunday, September 21, through Friday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Forum South Lounge. Immediately following each showing, a presenter will lead a 20-30 minute discussion of the miniseries from a perspective related to his/her area of specialization. The presenters are:

Sun., Sept. 21 (Episode 1) –Roger Vetter, Grinnell College Music Dept.
Mon., Sept. 22 (Episode 2) –Khanh Ho, Grinnell College English Dept.
Tue., Sept. 23 (Episode 3) –Al Lacson, Grinnell College History Dept.
Wed., Sept. 24 (Episode 4) –Todd Crites, Grinnell High School Social Sciences Dept.
Thu., Sept. 25 (Episode 5) –George Barlow, Grinnell College English Dept.
Fri., Sept. 26 (Episode 6) –Shanna Benjamin, Grinnell College English Dept.

Episodes 1-3 will be repeated on Saturday, September 27, beginning at 1:00 p.m, and Episodes 4-6 will be repeated on Sunday, September 28, beginning at 3:00 p.m. All showings will be held in the Forum South Lounge.

Because Episode One contains brief nudity and there is intense violence in several scenes throughout the miniseries, parental discretion is advised for the showings.

The closing program, “Roots Reactions, 1977 and Today” will feature panelists Lisa Adkins, Jon Andelson, Waldo Walker of the Grinnell College community who will discuss their recollections of Roots when it premiered in 1977. There will also be an “open-mike” discussion of reactions from today’s point-of-view, with perspective from licensed master social worker Chelyne Cunningham. This program will be held on Sunday, September 28th, at 2:00 p.m. in Burling Library.

In addition to the scheduled programs, the Grinnell College Libraries are organizing a variety of displays related to Roots. There is a selection of books on the economics of slavery now on display on the first floor of Burling Library. A list of a few recordings from the Libraries’ video and compact disc collections has been compiled under, “African-American Influences in Music,” which is available in Burling Library’s Listening Room and online at http://www.lib.grinnell.edu/collections/RootsRelatedFilm-CDList.pdf. Special Collections will soon place a display of materials on life in the Grinnell community at the time of the 1977 miniseries premiere. Their display cases are located on the basement level of Burling Library.

The programs, sponsored by the Grinnell College Libraries, Student Government Association Films Committee, and Cultural Films Committee, are all free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at each event. For more information, please call Randye Jones 641-269-3365 or email jonesran@grinnell.edu.