I relate

[heaven05]

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/aug/26/the-mixed-race-experience-there-are-times-i-feel-like-the-odd-one-out-

although every time I see a mixed race person, I know they are a part of the equation for solving racism. I still see the 'pure' whites looking upon the children with disdain. Yet overall acceptance is the name of the game.

“On the one hand it allows you to develop a different understanding of the world,” she says of her duality. “But there’s still a lot of ignorance in society. People perceive you as either black or white, and you’re not – you’re mixed.”

And since it seems the article left out our population of "mixed race" human beings: I am of a parentage of a German mother-African-American-Cuban Spanish father who was born in the USA. He met her while stationed in post-war Germany--1947.

At 70 I can tell you, it's been a wild ride.

[marble falls]

1. My wife started a hullabaloo in her family when her DNA chart came back with 1% ...

"west African Bantu" on it. My grandfather was snubbed by my grandmother's family when he wrote in his biography that my grandmother's father had Jewish blood. 50 years later my DNA indicated I had 3% Dutch Jewish ancestory and 1% middle eastern/Jewish ancestory.

I thought that the DNA testing was basically another form of pet rock - mildly interesting but no significance. But it really does open opportunities for conversations about what race and identity really mean.

[heaven05]

2. interesting

I have not done that type of testing yet. My soul-spirit tells me to DO IT!!!! Articles-posts like this re-reminds me to do so. My memory is somewhat impaired by confusion and lapses, by having 'chemo-brain'.

[marble falls]

4. The other thing it cleared up. Both my and my wife's family had these elaborate stories of ...

Native American blood and who it was and how they fit in. The DNA reports neither she no I had a drop despit both of our families being here in the US since the 1740's.

I went drafting school in Arizona as a young man and sat next to a Navajo man. I told him I had 'Indian' blood, too.
"Oh," he said, "what tribe?"
"Cherokee." I replied.
"Hahahahahahahahahha! All you white people have Cherokee blood!"


These tests can open good healthy healing conversations. And maybe a can of worms or two.

I recommend it.

[heaven05]

5. ++ nt

[sheshe2]

3. K&R