Roots

Evan finds out that Tom told the sheriff that Evan had been involved in the night ridings.   Evan has Tom whipped to teach him not to mess with whites in this way.   At this point, Ol’ George asks to take over the whipping of Tom since he, Ol’ George, was the overseer.   He delays the whipping and claims that Tom is already unconscious.   Evan demands he continue.   He does.   But when Evan rides out of site on the property, Ol’ George starts to whip the ground, and not Tom’s back.   Tom’s son Bud wants to kill all whites.   Martha explains that he can’t kill all whites, they’re not all bad.   She would have to die otherwise.   She teaches Bud how to distinguish between the race and the individuals.  

 

Tom points his gun at the door, only to find it is his dad, Chicken-George returning.   George says to Matilda: “I don’t see you with my eyes, I see   you with my heart.”   Ol’ George puts on a show in town where Evan can see.   He treats Tom like a “darkie.”   Evan is pleased.   He comments to Tom: “You’re shaping into a good boy!”   The senator suspects something is going on.   He tells Evan to ride out to the farm unexpectedly.   Irene goes to the Sheriff and tears up Tom’s deed to his land so that the night raids will end.   The senator and Evan arrive but things seem to be under control.

Irene goes to town to fetch Mr. Brent to come help George who supposedly broke his leg.   Tom points a gun at him and says he’s been set up.   But Evan came with others to help him, they were hiding behind the barn and rescued Evan.   The helpers of Evan go to the barn to get the other blacks.   Chicken-George throws chickens in their faces.   Then Chicken-George appears with a gun.   He and his family plan on going north to freedom.     Tom has the chance to whip Evan Brent, but chooses only to tie him to the tree.   Matilda and Chicken-George leave in wagons.   They are happy to leave Master Harvey’s.  

Chicken-George brings his family to their new land.   They settled in Henning Tenessee.