Here I am again, outside my comfort zone, but we need to keep the conversation going.
And, if you read my post ” I don’t usually do this, but…” you’ll know that being controversial is definitely outside my comfort zone. I always left that to my mother.
But, I recently discovered the DNA Discussion Project started by Drs. Anita Foeman and Bessie Lawton. Their goal is to encourage greater understanding of the science of genetics, the construction of race, and the perception of ethnicity.
That brought me back to the first time I wrote about being multi-racial, “Why don’t you look more like your mother?“, which continues to be my most read and shared blog post. I guess I need to readjust my comfort zone. 😄
My mother identified herself as being a part of the human race, and to her, that was more important than identifying with a specific group based on ethnicity.
Now, some people may find that to be pollyannaish, but my mother strongly felt that as long as there is a need for humans to classify each other by the color of their skin, the ability to decide whether you like that person or not, can never solely be based on who they are as a person.
As I wrote in Why Don’t You Look More Like Your Mother?, I think my mother got a kick out of having a child who, at first glance, didn’t have any resemblance to her, because of our coloring. She would tell me with great pride how I “…was like a walking United Nations. Belonging to everyone and no one at the same time.”
Fun Fact: Yes, I have had my DNA tested and I am EXACTLY as my parents described me: Irish/Scottish, European, German, Congo, Cameroon, Native American. The most interesting discovery was that my African DNA can be traced from those particular regions and migrating (not voluntarily, I’m sure) to the exact area of South Carolina where my mother was born.
As my mother said, It is impossible to put me into just one category or descriptive column.
But why is it so important to some? To continue to draw lines between us?
With the popularity and easy access to DNA testing, aren’t we learning how EVERYONE is mixed race? And MANY of us have some percentage of African Ancestry!
Maybe that’s what we need! To send DNA test kits to ALL Americans. Reveal reality to the closed-minded. That would really upset the apple cart. 🤣 I think my mother would really get a big kick out of that!!
Remember ~ Treasure ~ Love… Kitt
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16 Response Comments
Your mother was ahead of her time (as if you haven’t heard that too much already). If every American were to test their DNA, as you suggest, hahahaaaa! Eye opening to say the least. We might have to have a day of mourning for some of em!
Angelena, You are so right!! 🖤
We are all mongrels. My DNA stretches from origins in the Levant and spread across Africa to Ghana and up into Germany from several directions over large periods of time…which is where my family migrated to the U.S. from in the mid 18th century. Before that period in the Levant between 3 to 5 thousand years ago we appear to have migrated out of the Sudan. Today the majority of our still rare DNA is in Sub-Saharan Africa.
So true! My Grandma’s family is from SC near where your mum is from. My family had a similar result with our DNA testing. We should see if we are cousins! ☺️
Great…We all are human, color is not primary or secondary to derive our identity. I am happy to be what exactly i am.
You are spot on, thanks for sharing by knowing our DNA we begin to realise we are just all one human race. I know longer call myself black but a human with African, Asian, Tabetan and Scottish genes.
There is a little bit of bad in the best of us and a little bit of good in the worse of us as far as race is concerned we are all God’s children and I realize this is not a perfect world Jesus was perfect all the rest of us are forgiven for me I am “color-blind” and I try to treat and react to others as I’d want to be treated! Cheers Kitt and EK Nation worldwide
Color to.me.is only,what the heart see..i.judge.by personality the intelligence of a brain&the beauty of ones heart
Thank.you for sharing your heart!!
Your mom was just beautiful, inside and out. I’m curious if your DNA testing provided closure on the mystery of your mother’s father?
Ask Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to figure out your family tree. I’m sure he would love to.
Juat surfing around tonight after seeing a couple of old interviews of your mother describing her upbringing and early years.
I’m a geneology addict, thought I knew everything, but learned even more when I, too, took a DNA test.
Glad you took yours, and you know what, you would be an interesting guest on Skip Gates FINDING YOUR ROOTS. I am so amazed at what he discovers and how they present the findings.
Look him up. I bet your mother would be thrilled for you, and her, to find the ancestry if her parents!
I’m a huge fan of your mothers. I think people are so curious about you and your background because Eartha was such a pillar for black women. Like Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge and other amazing black women; your mom really makes us proud because of all the barriers she overcame, the things she shared in her memoirs, the discrimination she faced and triumphing it ALL. A black woman stood up for herself at the White House, she had a meeting with Einstein, learned so many languages, became an author… the list goes on. She never faded. Her legacy was stretched to the end. She is a success story to all and especially to black ppl.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SOUTH CAROLINA….I LOVE EARTHA KITT….I LEFT S.C. AT THE AGE 0F 17 WENT NORTH TO N.Y. AND NEW JERSEY….WHITE PEOPLE TOLD ME HOW MUCH I LOOK LIKE EARTHA KITT..I’VE WONDERED FOR YRS IF WE ARE RELATED….IM NATIVE AMERICAN AFRICAN..WHITE…LIKE MY UNCLE JOHNNIE ALWAYS SAID WE ARE MIXED WITH MANY CULTURES…NONE THE LESS….I LOVE EARTHA KITT…
I loved/love your mom..Iam she and she is me..Her spirit is with me, in me and through me..
Eartha Kitt was one of the most beloved and controversial entertainers of the 20th Century. That being said, she also created myths about her life, throughout her fabulous career, that fascinated most White Americans, yet disturbed many Black Americans. You, as her only child, knew her probably better than any living person. And I hope you find the courage to set the record straight and write the definitive story of her life. I have 2 of her 4 autobiographies and recently read John L Williams 2013 biography about her life, but none seem to capture the real Legend. Not asking for a Mommie Dearest, like so many other celebrity kids, inorder to profit off their parents fame, but simply a fair and honest portrait a remarkable lady, whose legacy endures up to this day.
Thank you for sharing your life, your mother’s life, and your memories. I am sorry that I never had lunch with your mom. I hope to learn from your mother’s example and your example of way to live well.