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Historian Daina Ramey Berry on Keeping 'Roots' Accurate and Finding Strength in Studying Slavery

A&E Networks

The recent remake of the groundbreaking 1977 mini-series “Roots” has been nominated for seven Emmys this year. To ensure accuracy in depicting the lives of enslaved people, the show enlisted UT-Austin history professor Dr. Daina Ramey Berry to read scripts, ask questions and ensure the production's accuracy – from word choices, to cloth used in costumes, to the breeds of on-screen horses.

Berry says that level of detail hasn't always been evident in portrayals of slavery, and that her experience as a scholar helped both lend historical credibility and, more importantly, humanity to the show's narrative.

You can hear an extended version of Berry's interview with KUT below.

Jennifer Stayton is the local host for NPR's "Morning Edition" on KUT. Got a tip? Email her at jstayton@kut.org. Follow her on X @jenstayton.
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