"Remembering 'Roots'"
http://www.history.com/news/remembering-roots
This article examines the impact of Roots (particularly the television mini-series) on American culture and society, nearly 40 years after its release. It explains the success of the book and the TV mini-series, and traces the backstory of Haley's attempt to find out more about his ancestry despite numerous obstacles.
"Impact of Haley's 'Roots' May Never be Equaled"
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-02-11/features/1992042222_1_haley-roots-alex-haley-black-drama
This article is closer in time (published in 1992) to the airing of the first mini-series, and it describes...