June 2016 The Mid-South Tribune Juneteenth Edition Page 4 Digging to the ‘Roots’ Reboot of ‘Roots’ adds further depth to neglected side of American History Point Taken-Marist Poll from front page looks at reparations from front page should be paid to the descen- sitive and provocative subject," beyond this concern. Of note, dants of slaves. However, a says Denise DiIanni, series cre- 49% of African Americans majority of Latinos, 54%, do not ator and Senior Executive-in- report this is a wrong that still support paying reparations to all Charge. needs to be corrected. African Americans for the harm Millennials, 57%, are the least caused by slavery. 59% of Americans say the cur- likely of the generations to Differences based on generation rent wealth of the United States believe it’s time to put the issue are also present. Millennials are is not significantly tied to work of slavery behind the nation and more likely than older genera- done in the past by slaves. But, are the most likely to report that tions to favor paying reparations 71% of residents think the histo- it is still a wrong that needs to be to, both, the descendants of ry of slavery and other forms of made right by the U.S. govern- slaves and the larger African- racial discrimination is at least a ment, 40%. American community. However, minor factor in the wealth dis- This survey of 1,221 adults was 49% of millennials oppose pro- parity between white and black conducted April 27th and April viding compensation to the Americans. Included here are 28th and May 2nd through May descendants of slaves, and a 40% of residents who believe 4th, 2016 by The Marist Poll majority, 56%, is against paying this is a major factor in the sponsored and funded in part- reparations to African wealth gap. nership with WGBH’s Point Americans, in general. African Americans, 66%, are Taken. Adults 18 years of age Greater support for reparations more likely than whites, 21%, and older residing in the con- exists when the question spot- and Latinos, 44%, to say the tiguous United States were con- lights private companies who wealth of the United States is tacted on landline or mobile Malachi Kirby stars as the legendary and iconic Kunta Kinte. (Photo by Steve Dietl/ cour- admitted and apologized for significantly tied to work done numbers and interviewed in tesy of HISTORY) profiting from American slav- by slaves. Generationally, mil- English by telephone using live ery. Still, 58% of Americans say lennials, 44%, are more likely interviewers. Results are statisti- America,” said LeVar Burton, “Nearly 40 years ago I of Oak Island,” “Alone” as well these companies should not pay than older generations to report cally significant within ±2.8 per- co-executive producer. “I am had the privilege to be a as the hit drama series money to descendants of slaves, the current wealth of the United centage points. The error margin increases for cross-tabulations. incredibly proud to be a part of part of an epic television “Vikings.” The HISTORY web- and 65% oppose paying repara- States is significantly tied to this new retelling and start the site is located at history.com. tions to the larger African work done by slaves. 46% say dialogue again, at a time when it event that started an Follow the network on Twitter American population for the there is not a significant link. About The Marist Poll is needed more than ever." important conversation in at twitter.com/history and harm and racism stemming from Spanning all demographic Founded in 1978, The Marist “Roots” is an A+E Studios pro- America,” said LeVar Facebook at facebook.com/his- slavery. groups, at least a majority thinks College Institute for Public duction in association with Marc Burton, co-executive pro- tory. Again, differences based on the history of slavery and other Opinion (MIPO) is a survey Toberoff and The Wolper ducer. “I am incredibly A+E Studios is the studio unit race and generation exist. forms of racial discrimination in research center at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New Organization, the company that proud to be a part of this of the award-winning global African Americans, 75%, are the United States is at least a produced the original “Roots.” media company A+E Networks, more likely than whites, 25%, minor factor in the gap of wealth York. The Marist Poll has con- Will Packer, Marc Toberoff, new retelling and start the LLC. A+E Studios creates, pro- and Latinos, 54%, to support between white and black ducted independent research on Mark Wolper, Lawrence dialogue again, at a time duces and distributes high quali- reparations to the descendants of Americans. However, there are public priorities, elections, and a Konner, Mark Rosenthal and when it is needed more ty scripted programming across slaves paid by companies who some notable distinctions. 90% wide variety of social issues. Barry Jossen serve as executive than ever.” all networks and platforms in the admit to profiting from slavery. of African Americans, compared Through the regular public producers. LeVar Burton and A+E Networks portfolio, includ- Millennials, 55% are more like- with 81% of Latinos and 66% of release of surveys, MIPO has Korin D. Huggins are co-execu- HISTORY, now reaching more ing A&E Network, Lifetime, ly than older Americans to favor whites, have this view. In fact, built a legacy of independence, tive producers. Questlove is than 96 million homes, is the History, LMN, FYI™, H2 and these private companies paying 73% of African Americans con- reliability, and accuracy. Its executive music producer. leading destination for award- A&E IndieFilms. A+E Studios’ reparations. sider slavery and discrimination results are featured in print and “Roots” is directed by Phillip winning series and specials that slate of programming consists of When it comes to these private to be a major factor in that dis- electronic media throughout the Noyce, Mario Van Peebles, connect viewers with history in scripted series, event series and companies giving monetary parity. Millennials, 56%, are world. Thomas Carter and Bruce an informative, immersive and movies, including the upcoming compensation to the overall also more likely than other gen- Beresford. Arturo Interian and entertaining manner across all event miniseries Roots for HIS- African-American community, erations to perceive this to be a About WGBH Boston Michael Stiller serve as platforms. The network’s all- TORY, A&E and Lifetime, 64% of African Americans and major factor. WGBH Boston is America’s Executives in Charge of original programming slate fea- UnREAL for Lifetime and Sons 53% of Latinos, compared with Many Americans, 69%, includ- preeminent public broadcaster Production for HISTORY. A+E tures a roster of signature series of Liberty and Houdini for HIS- 18% of whites, favor such pay- ing half of African Americans, and the largest producer of PBS Networks handles international including “Pawn Stars,” TORY. ments. While a majority of mil- think slavery and racial discrim- content for TV and the Web, distribution for “Roots.” “American Pickers,” “The Curse lennials, 51%, oppose such ination is part of the history of including Frontline, Nova, action, they are more likely than the United States, but it is time American Experience, their older counterparts to sup- to move beyond it. 27% believe Masterpiece, Antiques port this proposal. slavery and racial discrimination Roadshow, Arthur, Curious is a wrong that still needs to be George and more than a dozen "These results, while not sur- made right by the U.S. govern- other primetime, lifestyle, and prising, are indeed striking in the ment. Whites, 76%, are more children’s series. WGBH also is persistent racial divide in atti- likely than Latinos, 56%, and a major supplier of program- tudes about reparations. Tonight, African Americans, 50%, to ming for public radio, and over- Point Taken delves into this sen- think the nation should move Please see page 5 Viewers wanted to transcribe documents in ‘Reading for Roots’ historical project History partners with Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and FamilySearch International

NEW YORK, NY - To com- action to encourage viewers to million enslaved people, The memorate the upcoming pre- volunteer to transcribe post- Freedmen’s Bureau was estab- miere of its epic television event Civil War documents, and is a lished to assist newly freed series “Roots,” HISTORY is partnership with the slaves transition to citizenship, launching a campaign to support Smithsonian’s National Museum providing food, housing, educa- L-R: Chicken George (REGE-JEAN PAGE), Matilda (ERICA TAZEL), Marcellus (MICHAEL The Freedmen’s Bureau Project, of African American History and tion, medical care and more. In JAMES SHAW), and Kizzy (ANIKA NONI ROSE) (Photo by Michele Short/ Courtesy of HISTO- which helps African American Culture (NMAAHC) and the process, The Freedmen’s RY) families reconnect with their FamilySearch International. Bureau gathered handwritten, ancestors. The social initiative, Following the Civil War and personal information including Email entertainment and music news to [email protected] “Reading for Roots,” is a call to the emancipation of nearly 4 Please see page 5