Why the Roots Remake is some Bull$h!t

Cicely Tyson & Maya Angelou

Slavery did something to us psychologically.  Such indescribable horror altered how we raised our children. Slavery impacted how we interact with others and how we think. It’s not something to be taken lightly. When Roots first came out it was monumental. The film pissed people off, tested boundaries, and tested Hollywood. More importantly, it showed the resilience of black people. Alex Haley’s Roots told a story at a time when there was really nothing else out there. The cast from the original roots was nothing short of AMAZING. You have some people that were in this movie, even if it was only for 5 minutes, that made it such a huge impact. For instance, you have both Cicely Tyson and Maya Angelou in this movie in the very beginning before Kunta Kinte was stolen and brought over here to America. These women are brilliant. Their brilliance cannot be duplicated, no matter how many names are in a remake. You will never capture this on film again…. Not like the original…

I don’t care if your favorite rapper is in there talking like a slave.  My question is Why? Is Hollywood that damn lazy to where no one is capable of being original anymore? Are we as human beings now incapable of thinking outside of the box? What is the point of remaking Roots? Why would Hollywood even choose to honor someone on a Memorial Day with Roots? Share something remastered and put it out, not remake a classic.

This hurts my heart on a totally different level. “Queen” and Spike Lee’s version of “Malcolm X” will probably be in the same boat within the next 5 to 10 years. I may not remember any capture and imprisonment. My ancestors built America’s foundation. Yet, the complexion of my skin entertains a slavery question.  So while many of us seek to learn what the truth of our roots is, I can firmly say no History or AMC  will ever recreate what the original Roots did.