Press Release

Black History Month at the American Cultural Center -- February 2008

February is Black History Month at the American Cultural Center, and Namibians are in for a treat this month.  Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the movie Roots, the Cultural Center will be screening all the episodes and documentaries of the legendary movies free of charge every Wednesday evening at 17h30.  The schedule appears below.

The American Cultural Centre will also be hosting Dr. Elbert Ransom, a pioneer of the American Civil Rights Movement, and confidant of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   Dr. Ransom will be traveling to the north of Namibia (February 14-16) where he will conduct talks and lectures on the Civil Rights Movement, education, tolerance and the impacts that these issues have on modern day society.  He will then return to Windhoek (February 17-22), presenting lectures to students and the public.  Further details of his Namibia schedule will be made available at a later date.

The monthly Kids Reading Club, for pre-primary till grade four school learners, will resume this month, and learners can look forward to an invigorating hour of reading with the American Cultural Center once every month.  This month’s reading hour will be held at 11h00-12h00 on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at the Holy Cross Convent Primary School.  U.S. State Department Desk Officer for Namibia, Elizabeth Pelletreau, and U.S. Embassy Spokesperson, Ray Castillo will do readings, so please bring your child to this fun and stimulating event.

Below is the schedule for the fee movie screenings at 17h30 in the American Cultural Centre Auditorium, Third Floor, Sanlam Building:

February 6, 2008, “Roots”  
                
Episode 1:
In Gambia, West Africa, Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta, distinguishes himself in manhood training rituals. But he does not enjoy his new status long: Slave traders sweeping the countryside seize him. Chained with other captives, Kunta begins an agonized odyssey to the New World.

February 7, 2008, "Roots"

Episode 2:
Despite a violent rebellion, the slave ship Lord Ligonier completes its voyage and Kunta Kinte endures the indignity of an Annapolis slave auction. Fiddler, the slave in charge of Kunta’s training, becomes his only friend- a friendship that’s tested when Kunta plans an escape so he can be with Fanta.

February 12, 2008, “Roots”

Episode 3:
In 1776, a nation fights for freedom… but not for all. Kunta Kinte escapes again and is crippled by slave catchers. He marries, gains a daughter and loses his long time friend Fiddler. Another chance for escape arises, but Kunta sacrifices it to care for his wife and the newborn he names Kizzy, an African word for “Stay put.”

February 13, 2008, "Roots"

Episode 4:
At age 16 Kizzy is sold and bears her new master’s son who grows up to become fun-loving Chicken George. Yearning to see her parents, Kizzy is comforted by Samuel Bennet, but they are ill matched.  When she returns to her birthplace, Kizzy learns of her parents’ fates.

February 19, 2008 “Roots”

Episode 5:
Chicken George is sent to England as payment for his owner’s gambling debt. Fourteen years later, he returns home a free man, a status that has a profound effect on the family begun by Kunta Kinte. The civil war erupts; at last the era of slavery draws to an end.

February 20, 2008, "Roots"

Episode 6:
The Civil war is over but nights riders terrorize ex-slaves. By marking his clients’ horseshoes, Tom identifies the raiders but endangers his own life. Chicken George, who fought for the union, rejoins his family. He leads them to a new home in Tennessee.

February 27, 2008, “Roots”

Documentary:

"Crossing Over: How Roots Captivated an Entire Nation.”  

Alex Haley‘s son William Haley and LeVar Burton join the historians and creators of “Roots” in assessing the impact of the book and miniseries on culture and society over the past 30 years.

For further information, please contact Public Affairs Officer, Ray Castillo, at 0811280816, or Information Assistant, Roger Lyners, at 229801 [226].