Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/680832
begins the allocation of old clothes to the slaves that tell a different story of assimilation and a distance from their African roots. She had many discussions with historians about details, like the fact that Kunta Kinte's village of Juffure harvested indigo. As a result, Carter chose blue to become both thematic and emblem- atic. She carried the color through all four nights of the series, and used it as the family color and to distinguish sympathetic parties. In the beginning, she also used natural colors reflected in vegetable dyes. Later in the story, Carter injected stronger colors to under- score events. Above all, Carter hopes her contribution to this retelling of Roots fosters a feeling of empowerment. "I wanted the women's clothes to portray that they were strong. I feel the way they were dressed was distinctive and true to the period. I'm proud of the costumes, for most have an arc and people will be able to relate to the stories within stories, of finding yourself despite a difficult life and the will to risk death for freedom." When considering the effect of this story on modern audi- ences, Carter remarks, "The experience that you had with your family in the '70s was unique. What I think this Roots can do is bring your family back together, to reopen the conversation about what freedom is today, why we are seeing some of the injustices we are facing in society, how these issues relate to our past, showing respect for what people went through to demand freedom, dignity, human rights." Through understanding the past, we make better choices moving forward. For Carter, Costume Design may have found her, but she has chosen to harness its power using veracity as the greatest advocate for change. Roots returns to television Memorial Day 2016 on History, A&E Network, and Lifetime. 24 The Costume Designer Spring 2016 Forest Whitaker as Fiddler. All photos: Steve Diet/HISTORY. Fiddler illustration by Felipe Sanchez Roots costumes at Ruth Carter's NOLA Studio.