In case you don’t know the story of Anne Frank, it’s an intriguing diary written by a young Jewish woman during World War II. The Jewish community takes great pride in the book, and they make sure that many of their children read it at some point in their lives as a point of cultural heritage.

Lee Daniels, creator of the show “Empire,” and the films “Precious” and “Monster’s Ball,” took custody of his dead brother’s two children along with his Jewish boyfriend at the time. When their relationship came to an end, they shared custody of the kids. But apparently, Daniels isn’t as concerned about his kids receiving their African American heritage as he is about their Jewish heritage, at least based on what he says he is teaching them.

This lecture below by Anthony Bowder gives his perspective on Daniels, how he thinks and where he comes from. One thing that pops out is Daniels’ self-description that he is “a little homo, a little euro and a little ghetto.” Some have taken objection to Daniels’ insistence that he use white and Jewish money to tell black stories that Jews would never allow to be told of their own children. At least that’s Bowder’s assertion.

You can listen to his lecture below. One part that surely stands out is Daniels’ remark that his children have “read Anne Frank 100 times, but never read Roots.” Tell us what you think that means?