Lesson of ‘Roots’

It was just about a decade and a half ago when Alex Haley’s saga, “Roots,” was transferred from the pages of his best-selling book to the small screen. The program, which begins in 18th-Century Africa and tells of the triumph of an American family, was aired into our living rooms over six consecutive nights, two hours at a clip.

“Roots” did not make for easy viewing. It was about slavery; it was about beatings and lynchings and rape; it was about man’s inhumanity to man.

Perhaps the thing I remember most about that initial showing of “Roots” was the reaction of people I spoke with that week. Everyone had known about it. It was heavily advertised for weeks. But many didn’t bother to watch what they termed “that pack of lies.”

Keep in mind that this was nearly 10 full years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But if things were any better, if there was less hatred, less prejudice, it wasn’t evident to me during that 1977 television airing of “Roots.”

I thought about that recently when the Family Channel began a six-night repeat of Haley’s autobiography. As was the case 15 years ago, I watched the series with great interest, although it still didn’t make for easy viewing.

For me and my family, there were just a few differences. We were New Yorkers back then. Now we’re San Diegans, having moved to America’s Finest City more than 14 years ago. The other difference, of course, is that we’re 15 years older. And so is the nation.

Had we changed significantly since then? Had we learned to be less conscious of the color of a person’s skin? The answer, unfortunately, came a few days later when I picked up the Los Angeles Times and read with shock and disgust what had happened earlier in the week to a young Persian Gulf War veteran who apparently made one big mistake. He was black.

Ken Daughrity, 24, was depositing his paycheck and withdrawing $160 at a Wells Fargo ATM in the Rosecrans Center shopping area. It was daytime, and about a dozen shoppers were in full view when the husband and father of a 1-year-old child was attacked by three Skinheads. They stole his money, kicked him repeatedly in the chest and ribs with their combat boots, and took turns screaming “nigger” at him.

While all this was going on, no one came to Ken’s aid. Some got in their cars and drove off. Others ducked into nearby stores to continue their shopping.

It might be worth noting that the ugly incident occurred on Monday, Jan. 20, the same day the Family Channel began showing the second coming of “Roots.” And the reason Ken was using the ATM was because the bank was closed.

It was celebrating Martin Luther King’s birthday.

ARN SHEIN, San Diego