Tennessee Rep. Sam McKenzie is praising Knox County Schools’ decision to return Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Roots: The Saga of an American Family” to school library shelves after its temporary removal sparked backlash from educators, historians, free speech advocates and Haley’s family.
“When I heard about the banning of Alex Haley’s ‘Roots’ from Knox County Schools, I was extremely disappointed, but sadly, not completely surprised,” McKenzie said in a statement. “While many in this country and here in Tennessee are trying to erase history, I am encouraged by the decision of Knox County School Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk, with the support of many in the Knox County community, to immediately return ‘Roots’ to school shelves where it belongs.”
The controversy began after Knox County Schools removed the landmark novel under Tennessee’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act, a 2022 law restricting school library books containing nudity, sexual content or excessive violence. School officials said the challenge centered on a passage depicting the rape of an enslaved woman by a plantation owner.
Despite the removal from library shelves, the book remained available for classroom instruction as part of approved curriculum.
Originally published in 1976, “Roots” traces the story of Kunta Kinte, who was kidnapped from The Gambia and sold into slavery in America, following generations of his descendants through Haley himself. The novel won a Pulitzer Prize and inspired one of the most-watched television miniseries in American history.
McKenzie noted Haley’s deep Tennessee ties, including the Alex Haley Heritage Square in Knoxville and the author’s contributions to the University of Tennessee, where many of Haley’s papers are housed. He also pointed out that the Tennessee legislature designated “Roots” as one of the state’s first 10 official state books in 2024.
During the current legislative session, McKenzie sponsored House Bill 2434, which would prevent the removal of books like “Roots” until a final review determines whether the material is appropriate for students and consistent with a school’s educational mission. He also introduced the “Freedom to Read Act” aimed at protecting access to historically significant works.
William “Bill” Haley, the author’s grandson and co-founder of the Inherited Roots Project, previously called the removal “shocking” and “a slap in the face.”
“My grandfather wrote ‘Roots’ not only to fill a void for African American families and families of African descendants, but to have conversation and to share our common heritage,” Haley said.
Former U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander also criticized the removal, calling it “a mistake.”
The debate comes amid increasing scrutiny over book removals across Tennessee. According to reports cited in the controversy, Tennessee ranked third nationally in book bans during 2025, with many challenged titles involving race, slavery, civil rights or LGBTQ+ themes.
Free expression advocates argue that removing books like “Roots” limits students’ understanding of slavery and American history.
“Roots provides a powerful entry point into what the slave trade meant,” said Tasslyn Magnusson of PEN America. “It transformed our culture in a way that made people understand the inhumanity of slavery.”
