why isnt Roots a mandatory book to read in highschool?

[Fenixgoon]

you know, people say "EVERY _______ shoudl read it." to 90% of the actual readers, it will suck regardless. forced reading sucks

 

[ViviTheMage]

it was for me.

 

[saahmed]

My high school required a few good books, but most were crap. I would like to read this when I get a chance.

 

[Excelsior]

I heard more about slavery in school from first grade till senior year than any other part of US History...so no, Roots should definitely not be mandatory. I knew who Harriet Tubman was before Paul Revere...I find that disturbing.

 

[chiwawa626]

Roots is a great book, you should also read Things fall Apart for a good description of african culture, i mean one particular african culture. Both Roots and Things Fall Apart are rather simplistic and straight forward, you should really take an african lit class if your intresting in diving in deeper...I did and I enjoyed it.