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B.B. King
Blues entertainer
I think it made Americans, black and white, look at ourselves differently. It made us think differently. And I believe if a lot of the kids could see it today, they would see themselves differently, think more of themselves than doing bad things to their own people.
Halle Berry
Oscar-winning actress
I remember a sense of pride after seeing the movie. It created lots of conversation and a lot of disturbing feelings. But at the same time, I felt a sense of relief because our story, our history, was being told and getting a lot of attention.
Vernon Jordan
Senior managing director, Lazard Frères
Roots was a bruising reminder of our history and our past, and it was a bruising reminder of man's inhumanity to other men. The message of Roots is one of survival and endurance.
Sandy Duncan
Actress who portrayed Missy Anne Reynolds in Roots
I felt very privileged to be part of Roots. In the miniseries, we were all actors who saw very clearly what they were trying to tell in this story. I think everyone was of the same mind, to bring all of that to light in a very real and personal and graphic way to the American public, people that sometimes tend not to want to look at the truth. And so Roots was an attempt to make people responsible for humankind.
Robert L. Johnson
Entrepreneur and the nation's first African American billionaire
If Roots did anything, it made you recognize that if you were ever going to achieve anything as a black man, you couldn't look for the government to be your ultimate salvation. You've got to do it yourself. You've got to take control of your own destiny because that's what black folks have had to do all their lives.
Ben Vereen
Actor who portrayed Chicken George in Roots
I didn't know who Chicken George was, but I was so happy to be a part of Roots because of the importance of the piece. You've got to understand something. In our country, in America, our history, African American history -- at least when I was coming up -- was not taught. Alex Haley's story and mine were a mystery.
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