LeVar Burton: The Disappearing Line Between T.V Character & Real Life

November 2, 2024

LeVar Burton’s Missed Lesson: Roots, the 13th Amendment, and the Disappearing Line Between Character and Real Life

© Ogbonna Hagins for Philly Word Magazine and Freedmen Journal 2.0

LeVar Burton, famed for his role as Kunta Kinte in Roots and beloved by millions as the face of Reading Rainbow, recently made an appearance in Philadelphia, where he joined Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic officials at a Harris breakfast event.

While he may not have officially declared his endorsement, Burton’s presence alongside these political heavyweights paints a clear picture. In a setting rich with America’s history, and with a backdrop of ongoing debates over reparations, this scene raises a question: does Burton, so deeply tied to a character symbolic of the fight for freedom, grasp the weight of his actions?

Burton’s work in Roots brought the painful reality of slavery into the American consciousness, while Reading Rainbow taught young viewers to explore, learn, and grow through reading.

It’s a poignant juxtaposition to imagine Burton standing beside Harris, a candidate who has been, at best, lukewarm on the topic of reparations for American Freedmen. After all, reparations directly address the economic and social scars left by the very system his character suffered under.

The irony, of course, is thick: Burton’s Roots role demanded that he bring Kunta Kinte’s brutal experience of bondage to life; the 13th Amendment promises freedom from the remnants of that bondage. Yet, here he is, supporting someone who’s reluctant to offer meaningful repair to the descendants of those like Kunta.

The puzzle deepens when you consider that Burton’s public image is one of learning and empathy—he’s the guy who urges kids to “take a look, it’s in a book.” And yet, has he truly read the 13th Amendment or grasped its power?

For many, it’s hard to reconcile the Burton who embodied Kunta Kinte, the enslaved African in a brutal fight for freedom, with the Burton now casually sharing a stage with officials who waver on repairing the impact of that very enslavement.

This moment shines a light on the sometimes blurred line between public figures and their roles. Just because someone played a character whose experience mirrors real struggles, or encourages learning on TV, doesn’t mean they live out those values in full. It’s a lesson about trust and perception:

TV personalities, even those we see as champions, aren’t always on the same page as the communities they appear to represent. Burton’s Philadelphia visit is a reminder that real history and real struggle go far beyond Hollywood portrayals—and that the fight for justice for American Freedmen is very much alive, whether those on stage with a microphone realize it or not.