Pike County, OH: As Black as We Wish to Be

In this episode Al Letson and guest producer Lu Olkowski visit a tiny town in the Appalachian foothills of Ohio where, for a century, residents have shared the common bond of identifying as African-American despite the fact that they look white. Racial lines have been blurred to invisibility, and people inside the same family can vehemently disagree about whether they are black or white. It can be tense and confusing. As a result, everyone’s choosing: Am I black? Am I mixed race? Or, am I white? Adding to the confusion, there’s a movement afoot to recognize their Native-American heritage.

Photo Credit: Lloyd Cederstrand

Links

Photos

Episode Music

Artist	Track
Billboard
Michael Brook	Burning the Proof
Michael Brook	Carthage Grain Sale
Act 1
Michael Brook	Childhood Adventure
Michael Brook	Billie & Hitchhiker
Michael Brook	Wayne’s Arrest
Michael Brook	Birds, Snow, Ice
Michael Brook	Violence at Home
Michael Brook	Best Unsaid
Michael Brook	Carte Noir
Act 2
Michael Brook	Carthage Grain Sale
Michael Brook	Burning the Proof
Michael Brook	Arrival at the Slabs
Nightmares on Wax	Fire In the Middle
Sending Letters to the Sea	Hopscotch
Michael Brook	Waking/Waterskier
Erik Friedlander	King Rig
Erik Friedlander	Dream Song
Michael Brook	Billie & Hitchhiker
Michael Brook	Salvation Mountain
Michael Brook	Ron Climbs Hill
Michael Brook	Selling Books
Act 3
Erik Friedlander	Block Ice & Propane
Michael Brook	Swimming & Horses
Erik Friedlander	Dream Song
Michael Brook	Free Satellite and Hunting Advice
Erik Friedlander	The Wrong Advice
Kaki King	Doing the Wrong Thing
Michael Brook	Carte Noir
Kaki King	Night After Sidewalk
Kaki King	Neanderthal
Erik Friendlander	Yakima

My-two-cents
As a Caribbean light brown woman with a white Haitian husband and a black Hispanic adopted daughter this story hit home. Well worth the time I spent in my car outside of my home not wanting to come in so I wouldn’t miss a thing. Very thought provoking. Excellent work. Love your show. Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Hondo
This show was a great wake up call to America’s {1 drop rule} Being a Bi racial middle age man, i understand how both sides feel. Get rid of racial classifications and that we are all Americans! This theory who’s “black” it is base on racist believes that is still rampant in our society. No other country in the world classify people this way. To me this is base on the old ” Jim Crow ” style of thinking. We all have the right to be who we want to be regardless, what our peers tell us to be! Hold your head up high and don’t be ashamed who you’re!
- Pamela
  Er’body black!
- Ras Anbassa
  Well said – the right to be who we wanna be. As Bob Marley said: We wanna be free!
C J
Hondo, I said that a long time ago. I though we were all AMERICANS. I am a 15 year Army veteran and the entire conversation about race is just unbearable for me. I’m just sick of hearing it. I was very saddened to hear about the sister who not only disowned her own sister, but aided in the ridicule of her own flesh and blood. The part about how she sits down with a group of her white friends and listen to them bad mouth the black person across the room hit home for me as well. That happens more than people know. It’s quite pathetic. I’m going to stop here now for the sake of I hate to waste energy on something so ridiculous. I guess we’re proud to be anything BUT American.
thankgodforpbsandnpr
Considering all the advantages of being white in the U.S., the young woman’s choice to identify herself to other as white is a rational choice.
- Lawrence
  How so? How is it ever rational to turn on your family for you own feelings of being wanted?
- mischling2nd
  I agree. Some families are toxic. A mother who teaches her white children that they are “black” should be horsewhipped. Read “Passing” For Who You Really Are.
  - Really?
    Wow! What a choice of words “horsewhipped”. These people are culturally black because of their upbringing and life experiences. These people are probably more culturally and ethnically black than President Obama.
    - isome
      Culturally Black? What does that even mean? Are you referring to being discriminated against by white people? That’s the only difference in culture that I can think of considering Christians of all colors worship the same GOD, as do Muslims. Buddhist, Hindu, etc, regardless of color worship similarly. And, if they’re atheist or agnostic, they are unsure of or non-believers in any diety.
      Are you referring to food? Well, that varies from region to region and family to family.
      Clothes? Western shirts, shoes, pants, dresses, skirts, those are not exclusive to any ethnicity.
      Music? Again, it varies, and despite originating various genres, Black people are no more monolithic in their musical preferences than any other group.
      Language? The accent, dialect, or use of vernacular isn’t universal for everyone who identifies as Black.
      So what is it that makes someone culturally Black?
  - Afrolatinagirl
    So if she looked black and decided to call herself white what would you say then?
Sara
This is about the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s sad to hear that people are ashamed of who they are and to have to deny who they are and to be so ashamed to be associated with a particular race- a race I’m a member of. It is sad.
- mischling2nd
  If you look white, then you ARE white. Why is YOUR race so determined to forcibly claim and assimilate the European DNA of your hated but adored white “enemy”? Do you think you need to improve your stock?
  - Andre
    You are a failure in life, aren’t you? Just an angry, miserable animal not fit to associate with humans.
    - mischling2nd
      Andre, you’re another idiot who thinks that being white is somehow equivalent to being gods. You are still devoted to the racist doctrine of “inferior negro blood.”
      - beltainchild
        mischling2nd, insisting that pale skinned but ambiguously mixed race people identify as white (because that’s what YOU see when you look at them) makes you the one who is elevating whiteness to god status, not the other way around. As an African American, I grew up understanding that it’s genes not blood percentages that impact appearance. When you have obviously black parents and their recessive genes match up to give to fair skin, light eyes and keen features, should you then identify yourself as white or other? Who are you to call people idiots for identifying as THEY CHOOSE to identify.
      - mischling2nd
        You don’t “look white” by having two black parents. That may be a negro wet dream, but it’s not reality. The woman in the Pike County episode who was being humiliated by her pro-one-drop mother didn’t have any blacks in the family at all – only a dumb mother and sister who THINK they are superior varieties of “black.”
      - mischling2nd
        Obviously, beltainchild, you have no respect for the right of mixed-white people to identify as white. They are NOT the property of your “race” and do not want to go around pretending to be genetic freaks of the Negro race instead of the European-Americans they truly are.
      - mischling2nd
        You know damn well that you “African Americans” want to put the “black” label on everyone with any “black blood” precisely because you fear that you are biologically inferior and need the white DNA to improve your stock. If you truly believed in your equality with other “races,” you would noto support forced hypodescent or the “one drop” nonsense.
    - mischling2nd
      Spoken like the racist you are, Andre.
- mischling2nd
  I’ll bet you never say that to Latinos and Arabs. They are nearly all “contaminated” by drops (and often pints or quarts) of your dreaded “blood” but you people respect them and don’t dare to claim them. You should also respect mixed Anglos like the white-identified Pike County people and leave them the hell alone.
dBark_
I also understand the feelings within the “One Drop Rule.” I, myself am only 1/16 Native American, but whenever I am asked my background, that is what i refer to myself as. It wasn’t even necessarily how i was raised, it is just the pride I hold about my family’s past that makes me label myself this way. I really enjoyed listening to this podcast, it was very informative and I was glad that I could connect to it in my own way.
- Henry Pratt
  If you are 1/16th of anything and identify yourself with that then you do not count the other 15/16ths as being important. This means your opinion does not count for a hill of beans. You are confused and an IDIOT.
- Catawba Blood
  I can relate to this as well, but my Native American is more like 15%. My family endured a lot of hardship in the 1700s for being mixed race, and was forced to move and not allowed to vote. This culture has been passed down in my family, and still is. My family looks Native American. We don’t look white at all. We all have very dark skin, black hair, etc. So yes, I can relate to this man. But, I also embrace the other things I am as well ( British, Welsh, Middle Eastern, etc ) But, at the end of the day, I look Native American and self identify that was as the rest of my family does
Sue Richards
I am a fan of NPR and now a fan of this show. Thank you for sharing this story and please keep up the great work.
mischling2nd
Telling a physically white child that he or she is really “black” is a form of emotional child abuse.
- enna Reyem
  All of your comments are ignorant! you are definitely part of the problem.
  - mischling2nd
    And if a white parent told a dark mulatto child that he or she must identify as white because black is evil, the likes of YOU would be the first to demand that social workers take the kid away and that the parent be charged with abuse. However, when mixed white children or adults are told (by people like the idiotic black-identified Pike County mother/grandmother) that they are too inferior for the honor of their own ancestry and only fit to enhance the “black race” with the genetic gold of Euro genes, idiots like you think that is the noblest sentiment in the world.
    - Pelu Maad
      Why do you tell someone what they think? Is it easier than actually considering what they say they think?
      - Pamela
        The Brits came to America as victims, wanting a better life. They went to Africa and kidnapped black people, brought them to America as slaves (so-called victims incited victimization), and drove the Native Americans onto reservations. These same “white men” raped both African and Native American women resulting in a mixed race people. They labled blacks as non- humans and natives as savages, all the while they are the ultimate original savages/ terrorists (KKK).
        All this is orchestrated by the ultimate human enemy, proof: John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. The enemy is using this age old race problem, to destroy the human race. Anyone who has a “problem” with the way someone else looks, they should take it up with God Almighty, the author and finisher of all things. Good luck with that!
    - CLINIQUA
      Why are you pulling crazy out of your dumb arse? You’re watching an insane movie in your own head and apparently didn’t listen to the broadcast we all heard at all. Seek help for your many problems.
- Pelu Maad
  Sometimes black children are teased and told they’re white….no problem?
- John Hampton
  So, telling a child who looks white, but their father Black is Torture? I think you may be a racist..Have you really asked yourself if you are…or do you drive a Prius? .
- Pamela
  So is the opposite true? Telling a black child they’re white? PEOPLE STOP! There’s only one race and that is the human race. At the end of the day, what does it matter? When we stand before God almighty on judgment day, I’m pretty sure He won’t be interested in the color of our skin, but as MLK said the content of our character and how we lived the gift of life.
  - Pelu Maad
    America confuses ethnicity with the bogus concept of “race”. My ethnicity is “black” or African American and like most I have multi-“racial” ancestry….making “black” as a “racial” designation ludicrous. “Race” is a racist concept…devised to validate white supremacy. Maybe one day whites will wake up to the corner they’ve painted themselves into?
- CLINIQUA
  Only if you’re a racist piece of shite and see being identified/recognized as black as some form of “abuse.” I personally think telling a child who only looks white because they’re the proof of some white men raping slave women and children, is actually the abuse. If the product of some evil slave master doesn’t want to culturally ID with the group that killed, raped and maimed them but rather ID with the group they’ve culturally belonged to ans been nurtured by for hundreds of years – that makes sense.
mischling2nd
No one who “looks white” is “proud to be black.” That is ridiculous. You cannot be “proud” of a stigma. The members of the community who identify as what they are – white – are showing pride by refusing to consider themselves inferior or not good enough for their European ancestry.
- Nik
  What’s the stigma? Seriously.
  - mischling2nd
    You’re seriously claiming that you don’t know? Why would anyone call a person of white ancestry AND phenotype “black” unless you believe that inter-mixture between “whites” and “blacks” degrades one race (whites) and improves another (black)? Explain to me how forcing a black identity on white people is different from forcing a “non-Aryan” identity on Jews, as the Third Reich did.
    - Nik
      Ooohhh, take it down a thousand … I think
      you misinterpreted my emphasis. The concept of degradation comes from an oppressor’s standpoint. It is absolutely true that historically,
      people were made to believe that certain races (well, really just one) were
      superior, and a slew of systems and laws (e.g., one drop rule) were put in
      place to relegate “tainted” people to those lower groups. And yes,
      this is likely what mixed race old-timers used to identify themselves, based on what was
      acceptable at the time. However, many of us no longer subscribe to the
      hierarchies of social stratification, realizing that race is a social construct. And although others might view a particular group as less than, I simply reject the notion that you cannot be proud of your
      declared identity within that group (this is irrespective of phenotype). Hey, my white-looking black
      family members exemplify this every day.
      - mischling2nd
        Nik, can you imagine a Jew calling himself a “non-Aryan” and pretending to take “pride” in it, pretending that it’s a positive identity instead of a badge of inferiority? No, because Jews aren’t stupid. I can’t say the same for these white-looking pretend “blacks.” By calling themselves “black,” they are only validating the alleged genetic inferiority of the “race” they claim to champion.
      - Nik
        Can’t say much about that because the great Aryan debate is not my area of historical expertise, but I DO know that when one constantly reinforces a thought, it can become true in one’s mind. It’s a fundamental of psychology. Since this reinforcement of certain “beliefs” is what makes people think that they or others are inferior, it’s quite possible that the reverse can be true as well.
    - CLINIQUA
      Something is wrong with you. Seriously, are you a member of frigging stormfront? You’re seeing everything through the primary of a fcking white sheet, I’m convinced of it. The fact that you insist the white racist position of ‘one drop,’ is the only reason why a fair skinned person of African American heritage would want to be recognized as black just proves you’re a racist bugger who doesn’t recognize black as an ethnic, cultural, and community based historic identity that someone would want to belong to. Which is laughable considering white America (and the world) has always literally stolen and appropriated almost every aspect of black culture since time and memoriam….yet you’re playing dumb as to why a fair skinned black person whose only family identity has only ever been black historically wants to remain so? Riiiiight. Sit your ugly vile racist arse down.
- Andre
  Nik – Don’t try to argue w/ a delusional racist who thinks they’re genius – that’s called a psychopath. You take low IQ and combine it with psychopath and you have a very bad outcome.
  - mischling2nd
    Nothing is more stupid than black and pretend-black idiots who want to maintain and endorse a racist system of “one drop” hypodescent based on the supposed biological inferiority of the “race” they claim to champion.
    - Andre
      What kkk pamphlet did you get that from? I think your mother, I mean your wife, is calling you for supper.
      - mischling2nd
        What is more stupid than an idiot like Andre? He claims that people who reject the doctrine of white racial purity are racists and those who support it are …what?
- Tracey Harris
  So you feel that anyone who cannot directly link themselves to their European ancestry as inferior? Who, may I ask are you? What credentials do you hold to determine what group of people are superior or inferior? Stop for a moment and ask yourself how much of the rhetoric you are spreading was taught by, well meaning, bigoted parent? Did a specific individual hurt you and you decided to lump everyone into one group and levy your hate towards them?
  - mischling2nd
    Tracey, you are expressing your own racial feelings. You have no understanding of why promoting the myth of white racial purity and “inferior black blood” is racist? That is the kind of racism the Pike County idiot who called her white daughter “black” against her will and embarrassed her in front of others is promoting. Blacks like you fear that there is too much racism against you and not enough racism to put down uppity mixed-bloods.
    - Tracey Harris
      I want to first thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment. Secondly, allow me to provide you with some clarification. If you listen to the young woman during the show she states that she is only choosing to identify as “white” because it is easier for her to gain acceptance. I feel that as an American, as a human being she has a right to identify with whatever group she chooses. I just wish she would do it for the correct reason. I am not ashamed of any part of my ancestry. I have African, Native American and Caucasian ancestry, African being most prominent. I am sorry that when you see me you choose to see me as inferior, bu that is an issue you will need to work out with your higher power. As a Christian I see all men and woman, regardless of race or ethnicity, as my brothers and sisters in Christ. Do I realize that some people hate me because of how I look? Yes, but I don’t let that deter me from trying to convey the love that is required of me as a Christian. I cannot speak for anyone else but myself and I can assure you that I am not, nor would I ever “play the race card”. If I have exposed racism in my life there has been solid evidence. Do I recognize that some people are just inherently miserable and feel compelled to vent that misery on others? Yes, I choose to pray for them and move on. May God shower his peace and love on your continually.
      - mischling2nd
        Tracey, you dummy, I did not say that any “race” was biologically inferior. I pointed out that supporting forced hypodescent and the “one drop” myth, as you do, sends a message of inferiority because that’s what the ideas you cherish are based upon. Why do you have this ridiculous idea that everyone with any portion of your “blood” should identify as “black”? You wouldn’t find a Jew stupid enough to call himself a “non-Aryan” because that would appear to validate the very Nazi racism that victimized this people. Unfortunately, YOUR people still haven’t figured out the obvious. Are you going to condemn Hispanics and Arabs for not identifying as “black,” since they are nearly all of African descent to various degrees?
      - Tracey Harris
        Apparently you left your manners in your other suit, or you are so lonely you are attempting to pick a fight to continue the conversation. I was not rude with you and I don’t appreciate the name calling. If you are unable to conduct a conversation on civil terms please feel free to leave me alone. You are entitled to your opinion just as I am. The fact that we don’t agree does not make one person right and the other wrong. I have no personal investment in this family, but I do hope that the Lord brings them peace. Moving forward please feel free to leave me alone. Go in peace.
      - dreamxraven
        I’m sorry, I just have to say something. How is it that nobody is getting what mischling2nd is saying? How are you getting from him/her comment that she/he is racist? How many times must he/she state “the MYTH of the one drop rule” before it hits you that this person does not buy into that myth? Continuing to follow such a rule created to oppress makes you look like you believe that just one drop of black blood will “taint” white blood. The woman in this story who chose to “pass” as white is PREDOMINANTLY white! She has only a small percentage of black ancestry and there is nothing wrong with identifying yourself as what your predominantly are. If she was half black ancestry then perhaps it might come into play but she isn’t. I can call myself African because at some point we all descended from Africans but since that was several thousand years ago it would seem to be a little odd with my super pale skin, straight light brown hair and green eyes. The girl in the story also said she NEVER identified as white in her mind, It was a thought pushed on her by her mother. At some point, for the sake of those around us, we ought to identify with the ancestry that is predominant within us so as to avoid the confusion and that is what the girl in the story did and what mishling2nd is saying and , yet, you all are willfully misconstruing the comments.
      - John Hampton
        Sorry I don’t agree..Force all whites to be tested and identify by the one drop rule so we can All be black..Everybody knows man first appeared in Africa anyway…Jesus had hair “Like Wool” (not the color) and feet the color of what??? SWALLOW REAL HARD…..
      - guest
        I am going to assume that you are trying to be funny and will dismiss your thoughts as a joke. However, reality is this, it has been scientifically proven that all of mankind has a common origin. Which basically means, like it or not, we are all racially related one way or another. This implies that there is no such thing as a pure race and if this were really true then perhaps only 10% to 20% of the world population would actually qualify for that category. In order to achieve this improbability, it would mean that a specific ethnic/racial group of people will have had to remain completely separated or isolated for thousands of centuries without having any contact other then with their own kind. The chances of that happening is quite remote or highly improbable but for the sake of the argument let say it is true. What is my point? Well at the end of the day, with the exception of a tiny group of people somewhere on this planet and somewhere along the line, all humans have had some sort of racial mixture, but there will always be or we will always have one dominate race which best represents who we are. That is why I think it is preposterous to call or pigeon-hole one-self to one specific race particularly when we look totally the opposite. If there is firm evidence of racial miscegenation, the best way to self describe one-self is to identify as mixed-predominately Caucasian, mixed-predominately Negroid and mixed-predominately Mongoloid/Asian. However, there are cases where a person has had such a wide amalgamation of ancestral origins where is it next to impossible to pin point an exact race, and you really don’t know what you are, then one can always say my race is simply undefined. However, humans will never be satisfied with that answer and will force you pick something and then we will be back to square one.
      - John Hampton
        There is no race..It is a Social Construct. I know a way to get rid of this whole issue…force all the so called White people in the US to submit to DNA testing to determine their ancestry..and force them to identify by the One Drop Rule…LOL
      - Pamela
        Amen!!
- John Hampton
  What I want to know is how did you manage to write this without a brain ?
- Pelu Maad
  “Black” is a stigma to you……an ethnic group to black people.
mischling2nd
Those fools who call themselves “black” when they are white are addicted to the open-mouthed shock they receive from strangers when they make the ridiculous claim of being the opposite of what they look like. That mother who deliberately humiliated her daughter in front of her date should be horsewhipped.
- pcmustgo
  I mostly see Mixed Race people denying away their white ancestry/heritage as being “white” has become un-hip, un-cool and something to be ashamed of these days. Our entire culture revolves around white-bashing.
  - ADE
    It’s also the fault of some ignorant white people from the past and present who would tell mixed race people they weren’t white because of the one drop rule. If you think about it why would someone want to claim a race that throughout history hasn’t claimed them?
  - Pelu Maad
    LOL…that’s ridiculous. Non-white women are still mutilating their hair to make it appear more “white” Our culture is still deeply white supremacist.
  - Genia W-m
    They are NOT denying anything. This is how they were raised! Nothing to be ashamed of if you’re constantly told by Jim Crow that you’re Black. This is what you don’t comprehend.
  - danybx
    I dont think they are denying their wjite heritage…society has always said if a person has one drop of negro blood then they are negro…whites instituted this…dont blame the biracial people for that…
- kisha kimi
  Because that’s what they are, they are “Black” and should be proud of it! You think their white blood comes from a loving relationship between a “black” person and white person,hells no. It came from a slave being raped by their master , so why would they identify with that?
- Momma V
  Suppose they don’t say anything, marry a Caucasian and the child had negroid features? There are surprises that linger in the bloodline.
  - SOTRU
    Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, State of the Re:Union is on hiatus indefinitely, so this email address is currently unmonitored.
Sunshine4
In what world do these mud race abominations look white? 1488
- Andre
  I can tell you are two things by the word you used: You are a racist who identifies as a christian. Oh, and you’re an angry, failed sub-human.
tad
The concept of “race” is simply nonsensical.
vcragain
Just found this – I am from the UK and been here for 30 yrs – this country has so much sickness at it’s heart, I am very very sorry for you all – don’t these ‘white’ (actually it’s sludge color! oh my God !!) idiots know that they too likely have black ancestry – every European country has had black immigrants who have blended in for hundreds and hundreds of years AND going back further genetics is showing that Europeans actually had pretty dark skins until only a few thousand years ago – so what are you going to do – root it out ? You also call yourselves ‘Christians’ no doubt ? What a bunch of hypocritical nasty humans with no sense of ‘I am my brother’s keeper’ !!!! I am ‘white’ but not very proud of this race classification – I try to be a caring human being FIRST.
- Andre
  If you’re from the UK, Britain being the ultimate colonizer, then you’re throwing stones. Do you think hypocrisy ends at the U.S.’s shores? The Brits are just as much hypocritical racists christians as those in the U.S.. So back at ya, mate!
  - Pamela
    The Brits came to America as victims, wanting a better life. They went to Africa and kidnapped black people, brought them to America as slaves (so-called victims incited victimization), and drove the Native Americans onto reservations. These same “white men” raped both African and Native American women resulting in a mixed race people. They labled blacks as non- humans and natives as savages, all the while they are the ultimate original savages/ terrorists (KKK).
    All this is orchestrated by the ultimate human enemy, proof: John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. The enemy is using this age old race problem, to destroy the human race. Anyone who has a “problem” with the way someone else looks, they should take it up with God Almighty, the author and finisher of all things. Good luck with that!
KRISTENB
WOW…. I DONT LOOK AT COLORS AS YOU SEE NO ONE KNOWS IM ANGRY WHEN THEY ASK ME TO IDENTIFY . GRANNY WAS FROM BELGIUM, DAD WOULD’VE BEEN GERMAN. WEVE NO IDEA WHAT MY G-G- GRAND PARENT WAS AS ON DYING BED WE WERE NOT TOLD. NO ONE CAN GET IT AS SHE WORKED AS A “MAID/SLAVE” IM TOLD IM BLUE BLOOD, HEINZ 57 IS WHAT I SAY…. WE ARE “ALL” MIXED SO YOU NAZIS BETTER LOOK BACK . HITLERS MOM WAS A JEW!!! SICK OF THE WORD….. RACE.
ADE
To be honest I grew up with people who look like this in my family! There are many families like this in Nash, Halifax, and Warren County, NC and just like them they all associate with being black and Haliwa Saponi Native American. The last names of these families in my area are Evans, Richardson, Mills, Lynch, Silver, and Red haired Dunston’s. I’ve added a picture of my Grandfather and his brother who had a saying when asked his race “Well, Im White but I’m Black”!
- x
  Interesting. I live in this area. Where did you grow up? I personally have never understood people who identify counter to the way they look and I am not familiar with the last name of Dunston. But I also believe that race is a social construct and culture more accurately describes how people identify.
Confused
I could never understand and maybe someone out there can help. When a Black person (person of color) has a child with an Asian, they are considered Black Asian, but when a white person married a Asian they are considered American-Asian (Ameriasian). Is not a Black person also and American or is this reserved for Whites only?
- Henry Pratt
  Don’t you remember that they are not Black but rather African-Americans even though they are 5 or 6 generations removed and have never even been to Africa?
  - CLINIQUA
    Yes Einstein. Much in the way Italian-Americans who have never set foot in Italy are still Italian-Americans. But stay true to racist form by ridiculing the culture and chosen identity of a group of people you know nothing about, you hateful racist sack of shite.
- renemy
  I am an american of asian decent and people call me Asian-American. Being half white does not make you an asian american. White =/= American.
Confused
CORRECTION : When a white person has a child with an Asian they are considered American-Asian (Ameriasian). Is being black mean you are not an American?
- renemy
  I have never heard of that and I am 1) an american of asian decent and 2) living in California, where there are many people of mixed race. I have never heard the term Ameriasian. The term “American” has nothing to do with whiteness.
vpatte1177
Yep, I am an american mutt and proud of it. We should all treat others as we want to be treated. great storey
- Pamela
  Amen. It is an interesting story, but that’s all.
Jeff Norris
This isn’t unique to Pike County or Waverly, OH. Athens and Morgan counties have families like this too. Chesterhill, Bartlet, Stewart, Belpre, Marietta, and other communities in SE Ohio have the same thing. Some of the family names there are Croston, Mayle, Goins, Minerd, Tabler, and others… They have been feature as being one the “tri-racial & Melungeon” isolated areas in America. The whole topic just drives me crazy.
dj
When I looked at the Waverly sign with the tree in the background photo, I immediately had the image of a body hanging on that tree flash in my mind.
Henry Pratt
Stop with the need to classify everyone based upon where their heritage came from.
Pelu Maad
If the country lasts long enough…eventually the majority of Americans will be hybrids.
Endora Harris
Just listened. Interesting ! I must say to the person telling the story about Moses to please make the correction. Moses was not a Jew; He was a Hebrew. Yes, there is a difference!
Melanie
Fascinating story. So shows the confusion the false construct of race causes. I understand the daughter, Ally’s, viewpoint: “Sure I have black ancestry but I look white…I AM white!”. I interpret that as saying, “Yes I have black ancestry in reality and by genetics but in THIS current American world/society, I am considered white based on the SOCIAL construct of race.” On the other hand I understand her mother who I interpret as saying, ” Based on my personal history and experience of the SOCIAL construct of race, in this small American town’s view, because I have black ancestry, I am considered black. I was treated/austrocized in this small community for my black ancestry and I do not want to set up my children or grandchildren for major hurt or disappointment by letting them believe that this small American town sees them as anything other than black.” I think she is being the “protective mom”. On a personal note I think they are BOTH wrong and “bound into insanity” by their environment and social upbringing. Human beings are human beings and THAT has NOTHING to do with the false social construct called “race”. As such the daughter should NEITHER be feeling pressed to ID herself to ANYONE as white, black or ANYTHING based on race. And mom should not feel pressed to “protect” her children (and in her mind others based on her comment that she thought it important that her daughter’s beaus knew her black ancestry and how her family is viewed as black in their local community) by identifying to ANYONE (including her own family) as any race. The question should not even come up in our minds at all to make it even a thing possible to be concieved as much-too-much an alien thought to even think up. But I don’t fault them for being human…humans are prone to such confusion based on personal experiences, etc, so I don’t hate on them for their viewpoints or opinions.
Fascinating. And so sad a commentary on the current state of our society. We have come a long way but have such a long way to go.
- arrrghle
  What I love most about this story is that it really makes it undeniably clear that race is not a biological fact but a social construct. Socially, it’s a powerful phenomenon and society is very insistent about treating it as if it were actually a biological thing that exists. We aren’t given the option of being nonracial. Every time you fill out a form that asks you what your race is, that myth that “race” is a real thing (somehow a physical, biological reality) is reinforced. We are very confused as a society and culture and planet. It’s fascinating, and sad and terrifying too, to see how history evolves and sorts through all of this. I agree, we have a ways to go!
  - SOTRU
    Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, State of the Re:Union is on hiatus indefinitely, so this email address is currently unmonitored.
CabinFever
Why not just drop the classifications altogether. It would be interesting to have these people do 23and me or another DNA test. It is interesting to learn genealogy.
Cee Jay
Great piece, but ever a need for video representation existed, this is it.
Shabazz
My grandfather is from Piketon on my mother’s side. I went to school in Piketon from 8th grade until the end of my junior year in high school. My sister and I were the only 2 blacks in the school at that time I would see black features in other students but they made sure they distanced themselves from ever being classified as such. It’s just amazing that after all this time this truth is finally coming out. Thank you. LMAO!!!!
Earl DePass Jr.
Rachel Dolezal could learn a lot from the people in this story. These people are honest and love their families, despite having to deal with the complexities, conflicts, and contradictions of race in their lives.
Sharon Lyles
I would prefer to recognized all of my heritage and I do as much as possible.
mischling3rd
For all black and black-identified idiots who claim that any white man who had sex with a black or mixed-race woman during the 19th century was a RAPIST:
1) Mulattoes and mixed whites were superior to blacks in free status, education, wealth and general acceptance by whites. This is because white fathers and other relatives provided advantages to their mixed-race children and other relatives. If you blacks deny SOCIAL SUPERIORITY, then you are left with GENETIC SUPERIORITY to explain why mulattoes and mixed whites have always been so far above you.
2) If you truly believe that our white male ancestors were all rapists and that we should therefore hang our heads in shame and punish ourselves for those alleged rapes by identifying with blacks, why are you blacks so determined to drag the DNA of your supposed racial enemy into your race kicking and screaming? Could it be that you want to improve your stock with the genes of your hated but adored enemy? If you were “raped,” no people in history were more “honored” by those alleged rapes. I have to conclude this based on YOUR behavior.
3) Far more mixed people than you know are descended first from white females. Are you saying that THEY are victims of rape?
4) In modern times, there are many cases where white females reared mulattoes born of rape. Your race has no problem insisting that the offspring of those forced unions identify solely with your race. So much for your whining about rape. It’s not rape that bothers you. It’s your fear that your race can’t progress without grabbing and assimilating all the white “enemy” DNA you can kidnap.
Naomi Levine-Udebele-Wu
So interesting! What a fascinating community. I would love to be able to talk to some of these people in person. I bet they have some interesting stories to tell…
Shernettia Sleet
I am who I am, related on both sides Lett, and Sleet. We are a BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW, OF GOD’S COLORS. WE ARE ALL FAMILY, NO MATTER WHAT COLOR OF THE SKIN. Also INDIAN BLOOD TO. NOT ASHAME OF MY COLOR, I’M HUMAN..

Follow Us

Links

Photos

Episode Music