re: #59 HappyWarrior

As something of a genealogist, my observation is the longer your family has been in this country, the more likely you’re going to find out you’re not who you think you are. I don’t have any Native American ancestors that I know of since I can trace my mom’s side back to Europe as recently as last century and my Dad’s into the 19th but there are other families that have been here for years that just can’t. And if I found out I was part Native-American or African-American or whatever, I wouldn’t consider myself that group but I definitely would try to understand the life my ancestor must have had. I do however have fairly close cousins who are biracial and their parents (my mom’s cousins) did sadly face scorn from the majority community over it.

My aunt researched our history and found all kinds of miscreants. One great-great grandfather was an abortionist who carried a fake “Harvard Medical School” gold-tipped walking stick. My dad still has it.

People don’t leave security, wealth, and stability to immigrate.