O’Shea Jackson Jr. asked to share his thoughts on Roots reboot.
Actor O’Shea Jackson Jr. serves as the latest entertainer to offer a stern critique of the newly-released, Roots miniseries. TMZ recently caught up with the star of Straight Outta Compton to get his thoughts on Roots, which recently drew criticism from rapper Snoop Dogg.
Similar to Snoop, Jackson questioned why “stories of triumph” from African Americans aren’t depicted more in movies and in television.
“All respect to all filmmakers, but we do have stories of triumph,” Jackson said. “We don’t necessarily have to keep getting beat up in order to triumph. And end up as a butler or something at the end of the series or movie. So, I wanna get to other stories as a filmmaker myself. There was a black man who helped pioneer open heart surgery. Where’s that story at? So, we have a lot more. And let’s just continue to get this door open. That’s all I got to say.”
In an Instagram post uploaded last week, Snoop explained why he has no plans on watching the Roots miniseries.
“No disrespect, but I can’t watch no mo’ mothafuckin’ Black movies with niggas getting dogged out,” the rapper said. “12 Years a Slave, Roots, Underground. I can’t watch none of that shit. I’m sick of this shit. How the fuck they going to put Roots on, on Memorial Day? They going to just to keep beating that shit into our heads about how they did us, huh?”
Video of O’Shea Jackson Jr. speaking on Roots, can be found below.
Something the Lord Made
the story of Vivian Thomas
this film was made 2004 –
These people gonn have yall all out here sleeping through the revolution.
#WAKEUP
Jackson was actually referring to Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, but you’re right about the ’04 film. Won a slew of awards, too.
I swear these brothas are retarded. If you don’t know your history your doomed to repeat it. The roots miniseries is powerful, to judge something before you even see it is a cop out.
Charles Drew isn’t a part of African-American history? Charles Drew isn’t a part of American history? The power (or lack thereof) of the miniseries isn’t what’s being questioned. To keep telling the same story repeatedly is a “cop out”.
Honestly, if anyone watched this new Roots series you see it shows how Kunta Kenta is a great African god like character . He stood for what as right and passed down his beliefs to is family.. of course it shows their hardships, struggles and violence againt them. But in he end, his spirt is legendary. … and one of is grand kids kills he slave master once the free. So Snoop gives us Soul Plane..
i think the point that snoop tried to make, even though he delivered it very poorly, is that there a lots of stories about black people that have contributed a great deal to society. slavery is just one part, while a huge part, of our history in this country. there are thousands of stories, past and present, about black people that have invented things, held office, became successful entrepreneurs etc. that not enough people know about. why? lets tell those stories to show that we were not just slaves, butlers and maids. we’re a brilliant people with brilliant minds that have mad contributions to this country that changed it forever.
Umm they already made that movie. He’s referring to Vivien Thomas. Was portrayed by Mos Def in “Something The Lord Made”
I commented on this before I saw your . Everybody ought to see this movie
I commented on this before I saw your . Everybody ought to see this movie
He is wrong and right at the same time. These stupid kids today have no sense of self and no knowledge of real history and they needed this information that roots provides. The young people black, white, yellow, and brown need this story and should be made to watch it at school and colleges. However, he (O’shea) is correct that there are other black stories that must be told that do not involve slavery. There has to be both and that is not the case right now. Moreover, black folks can do anything and everything and should be allowed to be in all movies instead of relegated to slavery movies!!!!!
I could see someone who grew up privileged would say this. He doesn’t want to see it because all he know is successful rich people. Actually the series really is about triumph. Roots showed life throughout generations. From slavery, the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and FREEDOM.
To Snoop. Shea and anyone else criticizing, since you want to see blacks in different roles your asses better be the first ones in the theater to see Hidden Figures!
I feel you…. holla at your dad and tell him to make something other than Friday, Ride along or that other BS he does. Have a sit down with your pops and have him make something better…. I understand his point, but if you in position to make change. shut the UCK up and do it. He don’t know nothing about the struggle. He born rich… and I heard his comments (ice Cube son) regarding black woman. Be an example and lead…. by not only what you say..but what you do. I am huge ICE CUBE FAN, but Cube gotta teach his son better…
I think the best point to be made is the facts that roots is not history it’s a novel. The author of roots stole ideas from another book called the African. I’m against watching roots because it’s not an authentic story or experience it was made for entertainment purposes and we’re all suppose to love it. If your gonna tell me about slavery and triumph I want a real story not a novel in which people are making a hole bunch of money off us being former slaves.
Its about history and education you dumbasses. Im black and even i know better. If we dont know our history and are not educated with the rest of the world…what are we?
Its about history and education you dumbasses. Im black and even i know better. If we dont know our history and are not educated with the rest of the world…what are we?
This dude is stupid. The movie “Something the Lord Made”, starring Mos Def, Gabrielle Union, and Alan Rickman came out years ago. It chronicles the life of Dr.Vivien Thomas, an absolutely brilliant Black scientist who was the driving force behind heart surgery procedures pioneered at Johns Hopkins. One of the best movies I have ever seen, and yes we need more of this type. But filmmakers should know dilm,duh.
You want a critic? How about this stupid fake ass nigga acts like hes all hard and has to ride daddys dick onto his first track to get his own name out there but wait now i guess thats where he learned it from ol daddy ice cuhe one of the fakest corniest wannabe gangster rappers to ever come from the west coast guys a walkin talkin joke
Are you black why do you say nigga so much. Racist
First Off you can’t promote a group that promoted the stereotypes we’re trying not to project then get super critical. Like whats real about growing up as a hollywood kid glamorizing gangsta’s? I’m sorry he’s just not the one to talk.
That said they won’t ever do certain movies because it may cause people to wake up & do something meaningful
With all these slave films, There letting us know that history repeats itself.