Alex Haley - His Search For Roots (1977)

[@CCCCCCCCCCCmany]

Thanks to Alex Haley I started genealogy work on both sides at 13. Now 35, I have 3000++ family members dating to 1787 until 2020. Yes I still add every birth in my family. Thank goodness for My mom and her siblings. I have photos and stories for grandparents, and their parents. It’s fun and stressful trying to figure out your family.

[@reneearnold6663]

Teach your child their history and they will want to learn more as they get older. I say this because my son gifted me a copy of this recording last year for my birthday. He found it in an old record shop while traveling. Thank you son❤️Listening to these recordings is simply awesome.

[@keithwilliams1243]

Roots is not history, it is a work of fiction.

[@altrbill]

This is propaganda. Even the author admits that his book is a myth. You are misinforming your child and teaching him to be a victim smh

[@raallah9091]

But roots is a fake story that is not your history

[@raallah9091]

It is mostly black women falling for this foolishness. The same ones that believe in Jesus

[@OnlyUknow2]

​@@altrbill LMAO wat

[@sharidyer4332]

I walked into the student union of my college one evening in 1971, thinking I was going to hear Alex Haley talk about the Autobiography of Malcolm X. He was sitting comfortably on the hearth of the fireplace. There were maybe 20 students sitting in chairs around him. I sat down and was quickly riveted by his narration of what would become Roots. This was before the book was written, and long before the movie. I remember walking out from there afterwards dazed, mind blown. I knew this story was going to be monumental - a life changing event to millions. It certainly was to me. I'll never forget that evening.

[@mokiewhite4338]

He was sitting their lying to you in your face because he's smarter than you that's how he pulled this lie off and yall still BELIEVE this crap. Chile this is my land my people were already here. I gave Birth to everybody on the planet except the recessive ones.

[@sharidyer4332]

@@mokiewhite4338 I heard there were people like you, but this is a first. Enjoy your life.

[@sharidyer4332]

@@mokiewhite4338 Why and how have you come to the conclusion that it's all fictional? Or are you trolling for your own entertainment?

[@emilyjones5830]

@@sharidyer4332 My god are you obtuse! There is this new tool called the Internet. Just type in your search criteria for a bit of research. Not only was Roots fiction, but it was plagiarized from a book of fiction written by a White guy. That guy sued AH and won in court. You are a typical clueless boomer.

[@rchar9757]

Yall could have stated all those facts without the consescending. Save that for those with the energy. I am happy to see the abundande of folks reading into truth now though. Anyone that does the work of seeking truth for themselves without having to trust ANY other entity will find it right in sight. Can't be mad at anyone else for not knowing what a lot of us didn't know. I got more black ppl appauled that I don't claim this narrative than anything else.

[@lvjackson8030]

Absolutely Amazing... thank you Mr. Haley, posthumously, for sharing your journey to find your family and Roots, print & the television series. To hear your voice all these years later is amazing and a treasure not to be taken lightly. It has opened the doors for so many to find their long lost families, ancestors. What a gift God bestowed upon us, thank you.

[@justinreilly1]

Thank you for your all your cynical lies to make money by creating racial hatred, Alex Haley. A true hero.

[@Simon-pl2zi]

Haley's story about finding his ancestor Kunta Kinte is all myth. It has been proven conclusively that Kunta Kinte was a character Haley invented in his imagination.

[@katjam01kr]

Parts of the story were plagiarized, but the core of his story was true. It was a story of an African-American family who could trace the first African who arrived to America from their family.

[@bigdaddytrichardson4994]

Thank You for doing Roots and The autobiography of Malcolm X, Alex Haley 🙏

[@TheCaptain64]

What can I say about this truly great man , I was 13 in 77 when Roots came on TV , I read the book a few years later, then Roots the next generation came in 1981 it had such an effect on me , and so moved me to this very day 43 and nearly 40yrs later , I have both series and have watched it hundreds of times willing Kunta Kinta to get free , I have watched it with my children and now grandchildren , and as a result I am my family s griot and hold the story's of my family and the names of those who came before in my family going back 300yrs by memory and family tree tracing most learnt from my grandparents and their siblings before they died in the late 80s and 90s, my gran being the last to go aged 93 in 2003 , my only regret is I never got to meet Mr Haley before he died in 1992 , thank you Mr Haley Sir , you certainly cast a great big shadow on this world with your great works , and you have left behind a monumental works, I just wish I could wright a book just one tenth as good , your book is up there imo with the likes of books by Shakespeare, and Dickens R.I.P Sir .

[@kevindouglas5333]

Yes his stolen and made up works

[@simonjohnson514]

Maybe you can meet the man that really wrote the story. Alex Haley was sued in a court of law for stealing this book from a white man.

[@My2Sense-c7y]

He was a plagiarist and was sued ! He was far from great !

[@johnmalaeolevavau7042]

where can I access the ROOTS TV series please

[@blackcaesar4u]

Blacks are the real indians. They didn't come from Africa. European history is a big lie used to cover up how Europeans stole the lands they now rule over and possess.

[@marvinodhiambo8362]

This man is incredible. Such a long narration without using "......er" in his speech. Speaking in prose all the way! He was brilliant!!

[@raallah9091]

You my friend are a meat head the story was not true now what i bet you call yourself African American 😢

[@justinreilly1]

He lied to profit by causing racial hatred. He also didn’t say “er…” much. Yes, I agree, weighting the positives and negatives, he was a true hero.

[@Simon-pl2zi]

He was reading it from a transcript

[@markmjames66mj]

After 46 years, I'm still amazed by this man's story 🙏🏾

[@mzprosper]

M J, I feel you and so am I 😉. This is one story, that I will never forget. I remember when it first aired. I was a little girl. There’s a part I remember when Queen first introduced herself and then many years down the road, here comes “Alex Haley’s Queen”. However, I remember experiencing racism for the first time and it wasn’t a good feeling at all.

[@keithwilliams1243]

Roots was a work of fiction.

[@JUBABU4]

I am not..He is a liar..

[@alphaomega8373]

@@JUBABU4 But you re the bigger LIAR!

[@Ma1q444]

It’s all fiction

[@audreas.2114]

I remember as a child sitting down to watch Roots with my mother and siblings, I'm now 52 years old. This video is beyond Amazing! Mr. Haley poured his life into searching out, conquering and achieving the rich history of his family. A man on a mission set to fulfill and later on achieve such a meaningful purpose that God had designed for his life. Well done Mr. Haley! Thanks reel-black for posting this video, I will share with others that I know, it's very inspirational.

[@KioskKrew]

Same here and same age, it affected me all my life, dont think i could watch it now😢 ❤

[@dianegreen2139]

Thank you Mr Hayley this book brought me to West Africa where I've been for 30 years from Can USA working on my book called the Door of Return. I enjoy this story RIP

[@lynettejohnson8418]

I ABSOLUTE LOVE THIS STORY!! I CAN LISTEN TO IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!😊💕🙏

[@alejandratwaalfhoven9602]

Wow, I was a child about 8 when I saw Roots on TV. I did not watch it, but I felt an Attraction, and here I am learning about it today . What a most magical story. What love and dedication. My Respect and admiration to all your hard work. Life can hold such things that seem to have to be destine.

[@khaniyah1494]

I am 25 years old n now have finished roots started it when I was 11. Didn’t have the attention span back then but this quarantine helped😂🙌🏾

[@trillgods5]

You do know the story of Roots was plagiarized right?

[@theraceanalystphdprovingha4119]

Good for you...us in college were glued watching it together. Our one real life Anglo-Saxon friend named "Becky" (for real), she cried at the cut-foot scene. If you know and respect your heritage, this story is a treasure. We are magnificent...

[@kudjoeadkins-battle2502]

@@trillgods5 only the slave ship scene, less than a page is claimed to be plagiarized. You did know what right?

[@michaeloliphant665]

GREAT MY SISTER.....GREAT

[@sonofanarchy9450]

Where did you watch it? What site

[@lynettejohnson8418]

This is Sooo Awesome!! I have listen to Alex Haley tell this story Over and Over again!! I think Alex was so Emotional and could not hold his Tears back when he was in Africa …Because the Spirit of his Ancestor Kunta Kenta was in him Rejoicing!! He was Finally back Home in the Homeland he was Taken from!!!🙏🏾

[@tayabtahir1]

well its worth listening and I have also listened over and over again especially from a person who knows the art of narration.

[@ellenringer5236]

I screamed and moaned out loud when he narrated his feelings after hearing the name "Kunte Kinte" being spoken by the griot. When the women gave him their babies to hold, after visiting the village of his ancestors, Alex Haley would learn how the father named their child after the seven-day ritual. Today, we have cast ourselves in a pit where motherhood and fatherhood are taken for granted. We hold nothing sacred.

[@Simon-pl2zi]

@@ellenringer5236 It has been proven conclusively that Kunta Kinte was an invention in Haley's imagination. Black historians and commentators have spoke at length on this, exposing Haley's lie.

[@lynettejohnson8418]

@@Simon-pl2zi.. I really don’t Care what they think they Discovered and it doesn’t Matter!! I still Love this Story and believe there is Some Truth to it!… Somebody is Always trying to Tear Our Black men Down!!!

[@sheepswool297]

Praise God for enabling Mr. Kente-Haley to write this book!

[@eddieg849]

This was beautiful, this video should be played in every school in America. And broadcast on every news channel in the world.

[@davisholman8149]

Are you joking? He stole most of this from two other authors. He had to pay them a huge percentage of the money he made.

[@eddieg849]

@@davisholman8149 you know you should really stop smoking crack

[@Mathilda5xp]

And in history books around the world.

[@miltondixon7091]

You are so right bro.

[@erickanew]

I remember my grandmother used to get together with her sisters and friends and told stories. Lol, wish I paid attention

[@angelar.2088]

Still goes on today in mine..........😁🌹

[@trishfryburger4204]

Cdivgyh

[@UAMAK777]

OMG, i just had that conversation!❤

[@acajudi100]

I did pay attention, and they are in my journals.

[@erickanew]

@@acajudi100 pretty cool. I remember having journals but have no idea where they are

[@bvl98]

A great writer. A great story teller. A legend in his field. Thank you Sir.

[@justinreilly1]

A great charlatan and con artist.

[@c.calliecoleman1531]

Omg. That ending where the father speaks the name of his child, in their ear,on the 8th day,so the baby will know their fathers voice, sent chills all through me. Then to raise the baby to the sky and say"Behold the only thing greater than yourself "..No wonder we are so spirited and humble. Mr. Alex Haley thank you for showing us how you traced your roots. You were the first I ever heard of doing that and I know it's possible for anyone to find theirs. Till I find mine, I've kind of adopted your Mandingo tribe, in hopes I'm in your family. ❤I would love that. As many miles and trips you went through to research seems like about as many miles your ancestors came from their homeland. It's like you met them halfway. Yes God was definitely involved with you, because the miracle happened at the very moment you saw the name Toby, on the census, who was Kunta Kenta.🌷🌷🌷RIP Alex Haley🌷🌷🌷

[@angelasmith3967]

Well, said.

[@queens4624]

Cloveice Colemen am from Gambia and I know many African Americans that will come down every year

[@debd1371]

Take a DNA test and maybe you will find out. It's worth a try! My cousins and I each tested with a different company and Benin and and Togo kept coming up.

[@rodmoore1577]

When we brought our son home from the hospital January 24 1997 I took our son outside the next night raised him to the heavens and said Janson behold the only thing greater than yourself. The minute I saw that in Roots I knew I was going to do that. How many out there have done that? You should. It's like taking back a piece of your culture history and heritage.

[@kevindouglas5333]

Wrong. Toby was owned in 1762...5 years before Haley's book said kunta was EVEN BROUGHT TO AMERICA..

[@ancienttechnique5830]

I was born after the movie roots and naturally I’ve never seen the movie. Watching now for the first time in 2024. It’s a hard pill to swallow

[@marybass5412]

EXCELLENT ❤️❤️❤️This reminded me of growing up with my Great Grandfather and Grandmother in Crystal Springs Mississippi…..❤️❤️❤️We were always told our FAMILY HISTORY and I have been doing my BASS/WILSON FAMILY research for over 55 years and I find some thing new all the time……

[@davidhoward1950]

Haley inspired my roots search,ongoing since 1978.i can go back,thru my own diggings,back to my gr9 Abraham whitaker.i had no one to guide me my dad died 1963.thank you,Alex!!David Howard

[@sharmacrenshaw5842]

Roots has always been a right of passage amongst African Americans. I remember sitting in the dark on my grandmothers kitchen watching the week long broadcast that came on it about 2 hour intervals on a 13 inch television. It was emotional watching it then as a young child but listening to Mr. Hailey tell his account in his own voice was astounding to me!!! I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. This was awesome!!! It encourages me to research my lineage now!!

[@justinreilly1]

Sounds like you don’t know that he admitted Roots was a con job.

[@adrianmcdonald84]

It was made up. Haley admitted that

[@waldowil]

So very glad to have had my attention drawn to this. Thank you Mr. Haley for putting your history together and sharing with us.

[@kevindouglas5333]

His history? Toby was already here 5 years before he says kunta was supposedly kidnapped. No Kizzy or Bell. He was full of shit

[@araisininthesun5958]

Mr. Alex Haley was so blessed to have had the elders in his family alive long enough to share his history with him. He was intelligent enough to sit and listen. He was generous enough to share it with the world. Thank you Mr. Alex Haley! 🙏🏿♥️

[@tishaglenn765]

Ive been watching Queen (Halle Berry) these pass couple days. Its a good movie

[@leonardlarrisey7525]

This guy is,a Fraud .

[@ashatay5814]

@@leonardlarrisey7525 so is your mother

[@leonardlarrisey7525]

@@ashatay5814 do a little research before you praise someone. He faced prison time and was fined 600 thousand dollars for plagiarism. He made everything up. There was never anybody named Kuta Kinte

[@soupp187]

@@leonardlarrisey7525 🙏 THANKS. It seems like this comment is often skipped over. When you tell a lie over and over, it becomes the truth. And this roots logic or lack of... will be hard to erase...

[@collinsejaife1956]

What a way to end. "Behold the only thing greater than thyself ". Very moving. Goose bumps all over me!

[@happiliciousbabe6214]

Very moving Indeed

[@keyamsha]

Wow.,. I had goosebumps too.

[@eyesf7693]

Your legacy of story telling are hopeful and nothing less than inspiring Alex Haley. The potential of each and every child is raised by the investment of love and boundaries regardless of what culture you identify with.

[@LOAblue]

I've read Roots and saw the mini-series, but never knew this existed. This was so interesting to listen to, and just to think, he found all this info without the benefit of the internet.

[@stanmoney8470]

Isn't this amazing! Also before DNA testing!

[@yvonnewitherspoon846]

Yeap, oral and an almost forgotten items , Books. Time has definitely made a change

[@emilyjones5830]

The book is fiction and plagiarized from a White guy. Do your research.

[@My2Sense-c7y]

@@emilyjones5830 Thank you ! These people are praising him ! Really ?

[@hassanabdur-rahman1559]

@@emilyjones5830 you are trolling in order to ease your racist conscious.

[@ladyR1969]

I truly truly enjoyed listening to Alex Hailey's story. I was totally engrossed...overwhelmed with emotion of so many feelings. Thank you for posting!

[@carolrhoden9204]

Thank you for sharing your story, it's so deep, your a beautiful compassionate soul, sending you and your family love and light

[@juliettecumberbatch5672]

Want to thank you very much for that history I am in Barbados ,I saw Roots in Canada,I cried so much I couldn't watch to the end because it hurts so much . Thank you so much for the history.

[@mariaboletsis3188]

This is an excellent account of family history as well as cultural history. He really was one the most intelligent and well articulated icons of the 20th century. I truly enjoyed learning about his family roots and how much it truly touched him as a writer and as a human being.

[@archimandritegregory7730]

This is the most important, the richest explanation of the history of one man and his extended family and culture that I have heard.. What a gift Mr. Haley has given to all people who seek to know more deeply who we are and from whence we come. Thank you sir.

[@sthembisomotaung7268]

Dr Haley has inspired me to search and write about my geanology family tree, from my father's side,I'm so proud about it,THANKS TO MR HALEY

[@davisholman8149]

This was not his genealogy. It was fiction & he PLAGIARIZED it from two other authors.

[@tracyleesmith781]

My mom told me about Roots, omg it was very powerful. As when i got older, i understood where i come from & i knew most of my maternal's side of family. But my paternal's side is a bit of mystery, the most i got is my great grandparents. What i learned from The Roots are names, place & when. RIP Alex Haley, thank u✊🏾🖤✌🏾❤

[@parkersmith7611]

Hello Tlee how are you doing today? it's a good thing you come across Root, i must confess the message in the Root is very powerful... R.I.P Alex Haley

[@BLISB]

The meticulous amount of time money and fortitude it too this man to gather the information he did then write it all out and get it turned into a movie is absolutely amazing.

[@greedyd5524]

BLIS B. He stole it

[@charisparrott6177]

@jorge alberto ospna I bet you believe that Columbus discovered America though.

[@kudjoeadkins-battle2502]

@Eric Perry only the Slave ship portion of the book was claimed to be plagiarized. It was less than a page.

[@kudjoeadkins-battle2502]

@jorge alberto ospna only the Slave ship portion of the book was claimed to be plagiarized. It was less than a page.

[@rmark2836]

He sold book and film tights for 800

[@deborahwilson4203]

So Powerful💥🔥What a History Lesson. Thank you Mr Alex Haley for your work of great wisdom and knowledge to leave for us so we know us … may you rest in power 🙏🏾❤️

[@parkersmith7611]

Hello Deborah how are you doing today?Root is full of motivational and inspirational

[@kuntakintecampbell3005]

My name is Kunta Kinte Campbell born 1977 all my life it’s been my dreams to share it with the world

[@Bibbs65]

It's also a lot of kizzie's out there, it was a Roots frenzy out there in 1977

[@G.Harley.Davidson]

I went to elementary school with a girl named Binta back in the 80s.

[@ilovebeinagirl]

Never let anyone call you Toby.

[@a.deewai3181]

Well, Kunta Kinte, now you have!☑️😃 God bless ‼️ A. DEE WAI.

[@conniedaniels6362]

Kunta kinte Campbell i named one of my gold fish Kunta.

[@jayt-mac2074]

Thank you for uploading this audio. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@garycopeland1675]

This interview with Alex Haley was great. I really enjoyed it! 👏🏾

[@mzVjonez]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾ooooMY LORRRD!!!! mr haley you have set your greatgreatgreatgreatgrandfather FREEEEE!!!! my heart is beating sooo fast right now listening to your story....not only him your whole family that was inslaved✊🏿grandfather kunta kinte is FREEEEEE🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾amen&amen

[@christineyetman640]

Wow....I have seen the movie Roots ..but to sit back and listen to Alex tell how he came to put his history to page is a soulful experience..

[@sylviabrown5263]

Awesome. I received a greater sense of self as I related to my ancestors, the power of Spiritual connection and the wisdom of God.

[@parkersmith7611]

Hello Sylvia how are you doing today?That was an amazing story and journey. And his telling of it was so entertaining

[@Simon-pl2zi]

Did you know your ancestors likely also had slaves? By the 1800s in America thousands of free Africans were owners of black slaves. Also most of the African slaves shipped to America, were first captured and transported by dominant African tribes to the coastal trading ports and sold to the Europeans. Of course, Haley left these minor details out of his book.

[@teethompson7756]

I can't express how happy I am to have come across this lecture. I read the autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. I lent it to a friend who lost it, or kept it 🤔. I watched Roots as a child when it was first aired in 1979. I now own both books and they are the treasure of my library. Thank you again for posting this lecture/video. I have viewed a few of your other videos and hope you will continue to educate us.

[@davisholman8149]

You do know he plagiarized much of the book Roots from two separate authors, who both sued him & both won a huge settlement. Please research this.

[@janicefalkner5137]

Love, Love , Love This Man’s Voice!!! I could listen to Him for hrs. When Roots first came out I was twenty. Lots of folks couldn’t wait. I’d seen a lot for my age but I could not watch it. It Was TOO BAD!!! My husband watched it & said he thought I’d like it since I’d done a lot of reading on the subject but it wasn’t as bad as seeing it. Hell I couldn’t get past the ship ride over here. I had a little neighbor lady who was Italian. She loved it & she & my husband discussed it every day. Man’s Inhumanity To Man she called it. Boy was she right. I tried numerous times but I’d have to leave outta there in tears. I had nightmares about it. And so the second time I vowed to stick it out & I watched the entire thing. I had a brand new baby boy & just kept thinking how horrible it would be to live that life. Working like a dog for people only to watch them sell off your family. Whip & Beaten for stuff that was not their fault. I think it’s sick. The whole thing is just so sick!!! I never got it & I still don’t!!! If I was them & could do voodoo,,, I’d be voodooing their asses back to hell where they obviously came from!!! I hate people who beat animals much less people,,, who do not deserve it. I hope they’re paying in hell for what they did!!! That’s my opinion & im stickin to it!!!

[@nome5123]

I want to thank you for posting this. I had this double album when it came out. I'm 11-12 again listening to this

[@LadyLindaBird]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this! Mr Haley ever so eloquently narrated his story, which is our story! Bravo 👏🏽

[@renzob.4501]

Dec 15, 1978 Alex Haley settled a lawsuit yesterday by acknowledging that his world‐renowned book “Roots” contained some material from a relatively unknown novel about slavery that was published nine years earlier. The settlement ended the six‐week trial of a suit by Harold Courlander, a 70‐yearold author from Bethesda, Md., who contended there were substantial similarities between “Roots” and his own earlier novel, “The African.” He sued in Federal District Court in Manhattan for more than half the profits of “Roots.” AS the trial was about to reach a climax with summations by the opposing lawyers, they issued the following statement: “The suit has been amicably settled out of court. Alex Haley acknowledges and regrets that vatious materials from ‘The African’ by Harold Courlander found their way into his book ‘Roots.’ “ Under the agreement to settle, the amount of money that will be paid to Mr. Courlander and his publisher, Crown, was not disclosed. But the nature of the case made it seem likely that the amount would be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[@joantaylor468]

​@renzob.4501 ...didn't this used to be called "plagiarism"?!? Which is a specific form of theft.

[@joantaylor468]

Still we have to consider the impact Mr Haley's talent & determination made to this story. I'm glad to hear it was settled to everyone's satisfaction.

[@bridgetcooper6331]

So Fascinating to listen to this mans journey.

[@LaVidaLindsay]

Thank you for sharing this jewel!

[@sanmijilsanmijik5703]

Really wished I could have met you Mr Haley, that story roots was such an enlightening story . We need more families like yours that kept their true roots and origin alive.

[@renzob.4501]

Alex Haley settled a lawsuit yesterday by acknowledging that his world‐renowned book “Roots” contained some material from a relatively unknown novel about slavery that was published nine years earlier. The settlement ended the six‐week trial of a suit by Harold Courlander, a 70‐yearold author from Bethesda, Md., who contended there were substantial similarities between “Roots” and his own earlier novel, “The African.” He sued in Federal District Court in Manhattan for more than half the profits of “Roots.” AS the trial was about to reach a climax with summations by the opposing lawyers, they issued the following statement: “The suit has been amicably settled out of court. Alex Haley acknowledges and regrets that vatious materials from ‘The African’ by Harold Courlander found their way into his book ‘Roots.’ “ Under the agreement to settle, the amount of money that will be paid to Mr. Courlander and his publisher, Crown, was not disclosed. But the nature of the case made it seem likely that the amount would be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[@DevikaK100]

Haley's dedication, meticulousness and diligence amazes me. And as another viewer said below, this occurred before the advent of the Internet and DNA records. Even if it were not 100 percent accurate, it's the anecdotal knowledge that matters.

[@jupiterskiss3473]

It's all lies... Very damaging to the Black psyche. He just added to the confusion

[@Newsnclips]

@@jupiterskiss3473 You are very correct sir. Disinformation at it's finest.

[@adeboyex7045]

I remember watching the mini series in 1981. Alex Harley was Remarkable man. You can just tell there was a DIVINE Intelligence Guiding Him from that front porch into the jungles of Africa and through the entire fact gathering; An Intelligence beyond mortal compression that wanted the story told and properly documented beyond every reasonable doubt. Just simply remarkable

[@missysbloglife]

This was simply amazing to listen to.

[@muttleycrew]

How the hell did I miss this absolutely brilliant upload for three years, so glad this is available, thanks so, so much uploader.

[@renzob.4501]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIDCp3WfoKmmgas

[@MrBrad2538]

Mr Haley inspired me to do my geneology. I can trace back to 1812 on both my mother & father's side. I stumbled upon a slave narrative that my great-grandfather left. He was a boy on the plantation during the Civil War and described in detail the battle of Franklin Tennessee in 1864

[@paulettelittle7500]

MrBrad2538 how nice !😅😂😁😉😉😉

[@eyelutalulu7266]

Awesome

[@trillgods5]

Where was he born? Did it mention Africa in it?

[@MrBrad2538]

@@trillgods5 He was born in Franklin Tennesee 1856. He mentions his father who a slave the owners plantation who live in another part of the state & his grandmother who raised him in Franklin

[@MrBrad2538]

I ve been to Africa 4 times, twice to Nigetia. There I was adopted by the Ibibio tribe and made a "Son who has returned" I was thrilled

[@joanaarons18]

To Alex Haley thanks for your patience and hard work and all who make roots come to life I am so grateful.god gives you wisdom and you used it well. . your story has touch so so many people

[@parkersmith7611]

Hello Joan how are you doing today?Alex Haley has in deed being a blessing to this generation

[@FUNKINETIK]

I was transfixed watching Roots on tv when I was 12 years young. Without doubt the best and most moving thing I have ever watched on tv. It is so very sad that evil minded cruel people still roam our planet. P E A C E : )

[@kingfisher9725]

I watched the series when I was twelve here in Europe. And I read the book more than once. Never forgot it and purchased the DVDs some years ago. I'm going to watch it with my teenage sons again.

[@lesthebest3171]

This is a treasure about a man who not only wrote classic The Autobiography of Malcolm X, but inspired the world thru Roots to appreciate genealogy. Loved every word of this.

[@carolynroberts1196]

Awesome, intriguing ,mind blowing and deeply emotional. Could listen to it over and over again

[@StefBOfficial11]

You should read /watch Queen another Alex Haley story

[@lesthebest3171]

@@StefBOfficial11 I have and enjoyed Queen as well as The Palmertown series. Everyone who loves genealogy should be a fan of his work. I had the pleasure of meeting him while he was touring college campuses before Roots hit. I wanted to be one of his researchers, which he encouraged me to do. Unfortunately I never followed through. In retrospect this was one of my major career mistakes, but that’s life. Nevertheless Haley was a great scholar and a very inspiring and kind man.

[@coventrypunx1014]

Did the technology he used to trace his genealogy originate in Africa or none Black African country

[@lesthebest3171]

@@coventrypunx1014 much of Haley info came from family history past down generations. Most of his research came from research he did at The Library of Congress. Their shipping logs and census records were essential before the advent of the internet.

[@carmenpbronx9190]

Thank you Mr. Haley for sharing your family history .👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@petuladavis9561]

beautiful,I remember seeing this on tv in New Zealand in the 70s I was 7 yrs old l love it,it’s a beautiful story of one man who passed on only a few sounds n words through family to return one day 200 yrs later in spirit to his people

[@cathylewis3967]

This is wonderful!

[@vegawob]

Thank you for this, simply amazing

[@milliemartin5024]

Mr Haley's true life story of his Roots, and forebears as slave immigrants from Africa to America is such an amazing and inspirational biography. I was totally immersed listening to this captivating journey of Kunta Kintae...❤I am a Maori from New Zealand Aotearoa on my own journey of discovery..

[@kevindouglas5333]

True. Lol

[@renzob.4501]

Read the African by harold courlander

[@milliemartin5024]

Thank you..book ordered..🤙discovered several other interesting novels by this author.

[@lesliebryan9401]

I remember when the movie was televised. I'm from New York and I remember being glued to the television each night watching with tears in my young eyes in disbelief of how cruel people of this world could be. Years later when I was a student at Harry S Truman High-school in The Bronx I met Alex Hayley's grandson William. It's been years since I have seen William. I hope he is Well. RIP Mr. Alex Hayley.... RIP Mr. William Hayley

[@MsNini-sw2jn]

I hung out at Truman for years.

[@rveeing802]

WOW!!!

[@tyvaniablack8383]

As a 25 yr old man I swear to God we need more young black people on this channel . Thank you for creating this it teaches us black history. 👍🙏

[@lovelyvanessadorahill8585]

No need of swearing m

[@a.musaahmad5229]

I had this album when I was a little boy!

[@MsNini-sw2jn]

I still have the Roots album

[@angelawilliams971]

I personally enjoyed this and I ❤️ the old fashioned art of letter writing. My Dad would write me letters and I would write him back. I would continue to write letters from the❤️ it was much easier. Letters can be misinterpreted. The reciever might not comprehend your true meaning Some things are not to be taken literally. When one writes from the ❤️ the love should jump off the page. Not many people write letters or send cards. My mom once told me I should write a book. Maybe one day I will. Thanks for sharing. May Mr. Alex Haley RIP. He wanted to teach folks history. My Mom told me she use to ❤️ listening to her Aunt's talk. I never knew my paternal or maternal grandparents. I saw my mother's. grandmother once. I to this day ❤️ to hear stories from senior citizens for their wisdom is priceless.

[@GoodVibesNewlevel2023]

I am listening to this audio and it is very good. It makes me want to go to my own Motherland village and see my blood line.

[@ginawalker583]

See my playlist

[@Simon-pl2zi]

the book Roots was set in the 1700s and at that time more Africans were being oppressed and enslaved by African tribes than Europeans.

[@BrotherX]

"Wonderful Reading and Viewing! Alex Haley Had Really Embraced His / Our Past For A Redemptive Future!" Minister Mauricelm X

[@denisehopkins4885]

The art of story telling is very important to pass on generational history..so we know who we are.

[@trillgods5]

The roots story wasn't passed down via storytelling. It was plagiarized.

[@kudjoeadkins-battle2502]

@@trillgods5 only the Slave ship portion of the book was claimed to be plagiarized. It was less than a page. Get your fact straight. Up here trying to defame that man.

[@mbakunkasa3784]

@@trillgods5. Some part of life of kunta kinte in America may be a fiction , but the part of his life in Africa were based on facts .In traditional African culture , there used to be " oral tradition " .That consisted in passing important stories orally from generation to generation .In his book " Decolonizing mind " , the Kenyan writer Ngungi Wa Thiongo called that type of tradition " orature ".

[@trillgods5]

@@kudjoeadkins-battle2502 and the rest was fictional.

[@tammyleathers7751]

I've listened to this twice this year

[@taniajones]

I read the book. I remember I was 9 years when they show the series here in Belgium. It was shocking for me at the same time it changed my life. And in my teens I started to go to library to learn more. So I learned the real history not alone the one they teach in school. I have the DVD Roots en Roots the next generation. I let my four children watch it and when the time is right I will let my grand children watch it as well. Thanks to post this story. Everyone should listen to this. Because as well Belgium did a lot awful things in Congo,🙏❤️🇧🇪.

[@NecieytheGREAT]

He was so blessed because a lot of these elders are extremely HUSH when it comes to history they don’t wanna tell you anything

[@curtusdanton61]

And they troll, lie, sue, and kill, to maintain their relentless hatred. It will be a great day when God eliminates Satan and his lying, and hateful children, and sets the entire record straight.

[@wendylloyd5291]

Yes this overwhelming story is true. I watched the whole series over 13 weeks in 1981. It took me 6 years to read the big paper and never tired from it. Bought the dvd though of course it finishes when Chicken George and family travel to Tennessee.

[@EdMcStinko]

This is one of the most remarkable stories I've ever heard

[@kevindouglas5333]

Yes. He lies really well

[@felishamoorer5234]

@@kevindouglas5333 Why do you think that?

[@hhairball9]

I remember around 1975 or 1976, one of my teachers had brought a cassette that his friend Alex Haley had sent him. It was about 45 minutes of Mr. Haley telling this story of his search for his ancestor that his gramma told him was named "Kintay". We only got to hear about half of it when class ended. I asked the teacher if I could come after school was over to hear the rest. He was happy that I was interested enough to want to hear more of the story. Thank you for putting this up!

[@renzob.4501]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIDCp3WfoKmmgas

[@hhairball9]

@@renzob.4501 wow! Thank you so much! This is wonderful!

[@hhairball9]

@@renzob.4501 this was even more fascinating than I thought! Thank you again!

[@UBCstyle]

I remember vividly watching the mini-series as a child. A very gripping story. This is even more interesting to hear the behind the scenes trials and tribulations. Very cool

[@rtgeorgelu]

That was an amazing story and journey. And his telling of it was so entertaining

[@mauramicheletti3950]

In Italy the series Roots arrived in 1978 and It was a success wonderful!!!

[@tudy7487]

This was so exceptionally Brilliant and wonderfully poignant...thank you Mr Haley...Mr.Kinte...rest in peace.

[@Trolara334]

The greatest speech I have ever heard.

[@danielarena-solla5950]

His story was just fascinating and inspiring. I gather that we humans are constantly in search for the meaning of live and a purpose, but we have to realize that to start looking for that meaning we should start by knowing our roots first.

[@nave37]

My mother was an actor in Roots Alex Haley gave her; her first acting gig. Now I'm a published author, comedian and actor.🙏🏾💯

[@beverlyweber4122]

What “Roots” introduced into popular culture was the unavoidable fact that slavery is not some distant abstraction but a current that runs all the way through American history, whose effects are literally visible to this day. It was not just a misguided social institution or an outmoded economic practice but a crime of violence perpetrated over many decades on the bodies and lives of real people, not categorically distinct from the people who sat mesmerized on their couches in 1977. Most of the viewing audience for the first “Roots” was white (simply going by the numbers). This is/was incredible, mind-blowing. More people watched that mini-series than watched the Super Bowl that year, or watched any other television show or movie. Fact or fiction...or fact-tion, this book made slavery real...and explained why black people in America tend to be lighter in complexion than their African forebears.

[@Simon-pl2zi]

Slavery is not a racial issue as Alex Haley tried to make people believe. It was instituted purely for commercial reasons. Millions of people of all race and color have been enslaved by the millions throughout history by black and white races. By the 1800s in America there were nearly four thousand free black slaveholders who worked African slaves on the black owned plantations. Before the transatlantic slave trade dominant African tribes were killing and enslaving the weaker African tribes by the millions. Between the 1500s - 1800s most of the African slaves shipped to America, were captured by African leaders and transported to the trading posts on the African coastline. The European traders then shipped them to Europe and America. During this time whites were being enslaved into North Africa and the Ottoman Empire. When it comes to slavery no one race or color is guilt free.

[@judist.esprit7897]

This is a remarkable production. I had some peripheral involvement with showing "Roots" on television in Mobile. AL, when it was released and it gave me pride at that time. But mostly I'm just so affected by this incredible man, his journey and the far-reaching results

[@bdchiaccio]

So incredibly fascinating! So sad that Alex and his son have both passed

[@Thisismyusername7]

Yeah, Alex, his son William, and both of his brothers George and Julius are dead

[@conniedaniels6362]

If you know not from whence you came, you are doomed to live in shame.Find out as much as you can about your family history,because you certainly have one.RIP Kunta Kente

[@anitagastelum8618]

I've always felt a pull in Me whenever I'd see scenes of Africa ;like I've been there before my heart would long to be there. I took the Ancestry DNA test and my results showed that I Do Posses 3% Hunter/Gatherers of North & South Africa! 🙏. The Spirit Instinctively calls from Deep Foundations/Roots. FATHER IS AWESOME 💖 MYSTERIOUS;BREATH-TAKING💃

[@leonardlarrisey7525]

There never was a Kunta Kinte. The character was madre up. He plagiarized ""Roots"" from a novel that was written years before. He spent time in prison and was fined 650 thousand dollars for his crime. This guy is a complete fraud

[@michaeldennis9090]

Good looking out on sharing this one Mike. - One has to ponder - will we remain in exile forever. Shall we ever know the mother continent. Know the mother country of our forefathers. We we ever have the language of any of the mother continent’s peoples in our mouths. - this was a powerful video. I know that I will die and my ashes be spread somewhere in one of the western countries there -

[@sergiolobato1798]

The autobiography of Malcolm X is Mr Haleys best work.

[@wendycathey535]

I dated an African from Gambia he stated that kunta kinta is true

[@sankungsuwaneh3871]

One day try to come to gambia u wil see jufreh were kunta kinteh was born, lot of African were taken to America my grandad told me one of their great grand dad brother was taken to America he was never been seen. He was captured in the farm one faithful day lot have happened in west Africa.

[@denzelbrim6513]

Wendy Cathey Kunta kinte is so true , you can still find the place where he was captured as slave out in Gambia

[@christinharrison621]

True.West Africa suffered the most in the day's of slavery..They took fathers away from their kids..Kids from their parents..Sister's away from their brother's or even uncles..So sad most slaves were separated from their blood relative's...So i can say our families still exist in Africa.

[@iyatunde7860]

i guess you are an African right? your picture shows

[@toshdidon2546]

Very true , I'm also from Gambia Near Kunta kinteh land

[@deborahwighton5230]

I live in Scotland, Born in the 70s ,we never got any history about this topic ,The first time I was educated about this is when Roots came on TV ,

[@JonelleElise]

Wow this was wonderful!

[@ItsJustME-OnYx]

I went out and bought Roots to educate my son. This was years ago when he was a young teen. I remember his reluctance because of the length of watching them back to back. This was an eye opener for him. Glad I did it. Thank you Alex Haley. R.I.P ❤

[@bbennett5293]

Plagiarized or not, he inspired many to seek out their own lineage. It has been proven that many of our ancestors lived and suffered under similar conditions. Thank you Mr. Haley for Roots. Also thank you to the writer of The African.

[@brandrider1989]

soooo because it inspired people that's ok?? Plagiarism is never ok not for any reason... the book should have been discredited, taken off shelves... never sold ... period

[@anitracraig6464]

@@brandrider1989 shut up☝

[@charisparrott6177]

@@brandrider1989 Most of these his-story books should be removed off the shelves because they contain nothing but lies.

[@erickanew]

I tried but can't trace my roots to Africa even through ancestry my 7 or 8th cousins are not African, so I don't know what to think

[@thatmelanintho6164]

Charis Parrott you’re the liar! 🤬

[@TabeshKhan]

Listening to this, what a miracle this story in itself, thousands of miles away both from Gambia and USA, tears bulging several times, wiping and sniffling, tied through the greater knots of humanity and human kind. Pearls strewn along the necklace of history, of our stay on this earth. With so much to learn. Just remember snippets of the tv adaptation in the 80s which led me down this rabbit hole. Will watch the series again, and blessed that it has now become so much more meaningful. Kudos to Alex Haley.

[@paulettelittle7500]

I'm 54 years old black American woman I remember watching the movie when I was 12 years old we would go back 2 school and talk about the movie Every day until it finish we learned 2 love Africa after that we all wanted 2 find our family back home in Africa! I never traced my roots back but I'm going 2 relive my childhood dream and find my family!😅😂😁😉😉😊

[@msnikkinn1111]

Hope ur research is goin well

[@karenjdavis8]

Same

[@ericnancewoehler3888]

Thank you so, so much for posting this.

[@aundrehoward1618]

awesome, beautiful and all aspiring.....

[@tanelise4673]

This week, I found my ggg grandfather on an estate inventory dated 7 April 1790. His value was 85 British pounds. I'm tracing him back in time from KY, to SC (which is where I am now), and finally back to Colonial Virginia where his slave owner was born around 1745. We weren't even a country yet.