Roots: A Southern Symposium

Abstract

Alex Haley's Roots has prompted enthusiastic and strong reactions from various sectors of the American community. The reaction to what ABC television network ironically called American Saga have been varied, reflecting conglomerate of attitudes, positions, and emotions. Southern University and the Baton Rouge community are part of this mass reaction to Haley's book, work which represents twelve years of arduous and relentless research to trace the author's heritage. On February 8, 1977, the Faculty Senate and the Office of Academic Affairs of Southern University (Baton Rouge) presented public symposium, A Critical Look at Roots. The participants in the symposium represented wide range of expertise: Dr. Thelma Cobb, professor of English; Dr. George Whitfield, professor of speech and theater; Mr. Austin Jackson, professor of history; Dr. E.K. Popleon, minister; Dr. Robert Williams, professor of sociology; and Dr. Huel Perkins, professor of music and dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. Each presentation was based on the relationship of Roots to the participant's discipline. All of the participants emphasized that the television version of Roots should be viewed separate and apart from the book. Professor Whitfield, whose remarks were confined to the television production, referred to the presentation as a good melodrama, smacking of some sensationalism or romantic tale presented realistically and, in too many instances, viewed idealistically. The script writing, directing, and casting were all, according to Whitfield, the results of efforts of various committees with seemingly no communication among them or individual directors and script writers. Thus, Whitfield argued, the segments were disjointed, with little, if any, continuity. An additional observation the speech and theater professor made was that the number of Black directors and producers used for the Roots television production was noticeably limited. Television, concluded Whitfield, is commercial and has never promised to serve the arts. Dean Perkins agreed with Whitfield. The television production,