We talk Ancestry DNA, family lies, and the one-drop rule

#ancestry #findingyourroots #ancestrydna #dnatest #louisiana #nativeamerican #creole #familyhistory
The documentary- series "Finding Lola" is done, but is the journey over?
I sat down with my mom (Lola's granddaughter) to talk to her about her reaction after watching the series on our family story, the ancestry dna tests, and how she feels about her newly-found ancestry and family history.
Grab your own Ancestry DNA test now*! : amzn.to/3UxGKJx
Connect with me on FB! / findinglolafilm
Want to support this project? / about
Want to rewatch any of "Finding Lola"? Here's the series:
Watch the Episode 1 that started the whole journey:
• In 1930, our ethnicity...
Watch Episode 2 here:
• Our ancestry was hidde...
Watch Episode 3 here:
• I learned why my famil...
Watch Episode 4 here:
• Is my ancestry journey...
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Come join me on a new docu-series that explores identity, racial tensions in the South during the 20th century, and the unique experiences of those who historically called Louisiana home.
My name is Danielle Romero, and all my life, I have romanticized Louisiana.
Growing up in New York, it represented a place where I could step back the sepia-toned life of my great grandmother, Lola Perot, who died before I was born.
Now, it was time to go back to Louisiana--although I had no idea what the truth would be or what questions to ask---who was Lola really? Who were we?
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If buy something through these links, we may earn affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting this project!

[@bippityboppityboo2u]

Once you leave, it becomes a matter of life or death to be found out as "passing" during those times. My great grandmother has siblings who left Louisiana and Arkansas in this same way, never to return. Only writing letters. What a strong person that takes. Blessings to you all

[@nytn]

Oh my gosh, I got shivers reading this comment. Makes me emotional every time to read similar experiences. SO much pain and fear. So glad you found the channel, thank you for sharing :)

[@charlotter4656]

There has to be an overwhelming sense of guilt to abandon and to deny one's own family life long...choices have consequences. Having a family history of enslavement and having great grandparents who are a products of rape. There were family on both sides of my parents who could have passed but choose not to pass. We still live in the area that my family was enslaved and where the enslaved on my mother's side are buried.

[@p.thompson5474]

Exactly. Passing as a form of agency could be a matter of life or death. Thank goodness for letter writing.

[@p.thompson5474]

Those choices had and have consequences.

[@agent9973]

I don't really think it need to be life or death in NY....lol. I think people really want to GET OVER

[@AnthonyGriffith-qz1gp]

My name is Anthony Griffith, I read your posts and was impressed with your honesty and awareness I was born in London, England and my parents are from the Caribbean My father was born in Barbados, his great grandfather was a white,English colonel on his paternal side,the other family descended from slaves. My mother was from Jamaica, her father was a Chinese indentured laborers, her mother descended from slaves My mother changed her name from Yung to Young before she left Jamaica to move to England where she stand married my father. I too never was told anything about my ancestry until I got older and inquisitive, like you😂 May your amazing spirit keep guiding you Blessings 🙏🙏🙏

[@terrima4064]

Thank you for sharing! I love the carribbean- wish I can retire and live the rest of my life there.

[@shopspanglish4398]

She didn’t want to be oppressed. So she moved and passes as white. This is a story that still happens to this day. It’s easy for you to say “where is my beautiful color”. You have not been oppressed. Life is easier, the lighter skinned you are! You can pass and be treated better. Most Mexicans are a combination of various European , indigenous and African ancestry.

[@nytn]

I know what you say is true! I do wish more of our story was shown on the outside--because I am so proud of my roots. But you are right, there is a lot of hardship that comes with being darker- then and now.

[@shellakers10]

@@nytn I would like for you to show the ugly side too. I don't think it's bad to talk about but that's just me. No, we (white people) don't understand what oppression is due to our skin color. Some of us might know oppression because of other things. I'm just ready to know what this is all about. The little I do know is so terrible. Anyway, just a white girl saying I'd like to know the other side. Oh and I understand her saying she wants darker skin! Like I've said, my mom is French Indian heritage and has beautiful dark skin. So does my brother. Both haven't experienced anything outside our own family as far as oppression goes. I've always wanted my brothers beautiful skin and thick dark hair! But I haven't had to experience my dad's hatred because I'm white. My brother was hated because he's dark from our dad. Nobody else.

[@nytn]

@@shellakers10 That is a heartbreaking story. There is so much pain around the color of SKIN. Honestly boggles my mind. Have you seen the episode about my enslaved ancestors? I do plan to dig into the ugly side of things more, I agree with everything you said. Im so honored to have people like you here who are thoughtful. Here is that other short video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3Lbqq1mppV0atU

[@tysteward545]

@@shellakers10 I'm African American which is inherently mixed race. I wouldn't trade a single thing in the world for my skin color, my culture, even our struggle. As a matter of fact, I've always wished I was darker. My great grandmother was creole, but even whiter than Lola, and chose to stay with her family and married a dark skinned man, so that her children would have some color. It's all a matter of what you want. I'm glad Ms Lola got what she wanted. And I surely hope she got to relax enough to really enjoy life without fear. ♥️

[@shellakers10]

@@tysteward545 we're all mixed races tho aren't we? That always confused me as a child.... why would people like my dad hate different cultures so much when he, himself had quite a mixed breed heritage running thru his blood. He's Irish ( a small part) and I know the Irish were treated horribly when they came to America during the famine. It's j7st seemed to be a bully mentality. And then being heavily indoctrinated into the Masons meant more hatred toward blacks and Jewish and God only knows who else they hated! All while claiming to be Christian. Anyway, I'm so glad to hear you say you're proud of your skin color and heritage! Very nice! Skin color doesn't measure the man but the man's experiences because of his skin color kind of really do make some people either resilient or proud or even bitter. Thank you for sharing that!

[@cathy1944]

I’ve enjoyed watching. I was born and raised in Northern Illinois . I am of German decent. I’m very curious to know more now though from watching this. On a side note, at 51, 6 years ago my husband and I decided to move to south Louisiana. Thibodaux to be exact. I have been so appalled at the racism that still exists to this day down here. I did not grow up in a racist community and I do not like seeing all the repression that still exists to this day. It’s awful. 😢

[@nytn]

Cathy--- wow. That pains my heart

[@sandycheeks1580]

😮Elaborate on what you’ve seen and what you know of the racism there? How do you think it can be ended? Should the racists have their children removed from their homes because they’re brainwashing their children to hate & oppress others?

[@patriciagraham3348]

Ipo9999999⁹000

[@cathy1944]

@@melbee5767 I didn’t grow up with racism because I was taught that skin color doesn’t matter. When will it ever end?

[@thehoneyeffect]

@@cathy1944 Racism isn’t just about slurs, it’s about having the racial power to oppress others. *We live in a global system of racism white supremacy that privileges whyte people and disadvantages everyone else. … still till this day!* There’s no escape from racism white supremacy on earth. Colour matters, colour is beautiful, it was created to be seen. The racist stereotypes that whyte people have attached to non-white people and the ridiculously positive stereotypes that whyte people attached to being whyte that need eradicating not colour itself.

[@oldmarriedcouple1]

I just came across this video. So interesting!! DNA tests have revealed many families secrets. Like you I've been interested in family history since my teens. I'm in my 50's now and I did a Ancestry DNA test 4 years ago out of curiosity as to where my ancestors came from. Besides that I also found out that my father is not my biological father. It was shocking and yet my childhood started making sense. It was always puzzling to me why I didn't grow up with my father but my two older sisters did. My mother never talked about it besides giving me vague excuses. I would visit my paternal grandmother in the summer but my father would never come around. It always seemed strange and like a rejection. Now I know why. I later found out that his best friend knew I was not his daughter but assumed I knew otherwise he would have told me. If that wasn't painful enough I found my biological father's identity and that he was a violent alcoholic. I have a brother and a sister that were his children. He left his family when his kids were in their teens. He moved across the country so they could never find him. They, of course, were devastated by his violence and yet also by his abandonment. I have learned through my digging that when he served, at 17, in WWII he was on a ship that picked up dead bodies in the ocean and from land battles in the pacific. His military records show that after the first mission of doing this he became a heavy drinker and was always in trouble. I believe he was traumatized by those experiences and as the years went by became a violent alcoholic. As you said in this interview, as you find out more information it's hard to judge your ancestors. We don't know why they did what they did. As we learn more we actually can have compassion for what they went through and why they kept secrets. It reminds me of Holocaust survivors and the fact they kept what they went through from their children because it was so painful. They didn't want to expose their children to the horrors they experienced. It was an honorable intention but as they pass away some of those stories are lost forever. I truly believe that if everyone in the world knew how we are a DNA mix of each other we would have less prejudices, less hatred, less war and more compassion, understanding and love in the world. Thank you for your video.

[@nytn]

Wow thank you so much for commenting! Im glad you found the channel. i agree with you, there is space for a beautiful change to happen now that we can "prove" just how connected we all are. Im grateful to be a part of that.

[@lynntaylorbuccafuri5924]

@oldmarriedcouple1, beautifully said.

[@sglant]

Thank you so much for sharing your candid, as well as painful experience in your family history. I can imagine that it took a lot just to relay this.

[@marthamurphy7940]

That is a sad story. I wonder if your brother and sister's father left his family because he couldn't stop drinking and knew he wasn't good for them.

[@goodgracious6364]

I wish people will eventually get this straight. It has never been so much about black people "passing" for being white. It has always been more about black people being "accepted" as "being" white. There are many very light skinned blacks, with what's considered as having "black" features who could never "pass" as being white, even if they tried. My dad was a very light skinned black man, with so-called black features. White people were never confused by his race and he was treated accordingly. Funny thing is, his name was "Alfonse"😊

[@moneybags999]

" It has always been more about black people being "accepted" as "being" white." That's literally what passing is. They are actively presenting & passing themselves off as white because they know they can. If they have white skin & European features, they are very much in the position to pass for being white. "There are many very light skinned blacks, with what's considered as having "black" features who could never "pass" as being white, even if they tried." Just being "fair" is not enough to "pass." In all the stories of black people passing, there is always racial ambiguity due to having less so-called black facial features. If you have darker skin but have European features & straight hair, you may be able to "pass" for some other ethnicity which could have still opened more doors.

[@cbrooke16]

Thanks for sharing this. I think it’s interesting that you identify as white. I would never guess you were. You look indigenous ☺️ Way to represent your ancestors!

[@nytn]

This is beautiful to hear! I am so proud of my African and indigenous roots. I think Im still on this journey :)

[@elsiethanises1008]

Yeah me too. 😃

[@SkyeID]

@@nytn I thought you were black!

[@RememberKatrina2005]

From New Orleans. Welcome Home Our Beautiful Sisters! Our family is so much better with you having found your way back home. Allen

[@nytn]

Allen, thank you! What a nice thing to say. It feels good to know my grammy's roots

[@Jetsetwithb]

I love your docuseris. It is always amazing to me when families or the general public can't see their ethnic mixtures or choose to ignore it. Coming from a multicultural family and having family members that can 'pass' in society, it's easy for me to see the mixtures. For those that chose to pass at that time, it was about survival and not wanted to be discriminated against.

[@nytn]

Im so grateful you are here! This journey is definitely not over....I have so much to learn with you all.

[@Jetsetwithb]

@@nytn I started working on my family tree some time ago and stop. This has really motivated me to start back and document the journey. I'm planning trips to my grandparents birth cities for 2023. I'm not sure if I'm ready for the emotional lows, but the highs will keep me going.

[@nytn]

@@Jetsetwithb There will be highs and lows. I am so happy you are going to start this adventure though. Keep me posted, Id love to help if I can!

[@sharonmontgomery3548]

During that time it was a much easier life for African Americans who had a lighter complexion to pass. Your grandmother had a very hard time raising her family after the loss of her husband and she was passing. So just imagine the life of an individual who was a few shades darker than her. The hardship would have been double. The only thing about passing is you must relinquish your entire pass for your new identity for fear of being found out, but it still goes on today. In 1971 and I remember as child of 10 seeing the movie "Imitation of Life" with Lana Turner and the ending made me cry, because the daughter (very light complexion) of the maid (very dark complexion) didn't want to be black. Throughout history black has always been depicted as bad (i.e. the black cat, bad guys wear black, black magic, black night, etc.) I agree with you both about getting rid of the boxes, but racism and white privilege is so real they are not ready to do that!!! Bless you on your journey!

[@nytn]

It has not been easy finding the family that was left behind, but it is happening, slowly!! Thank you for being here:)

[@LeaksRepairswhenurplumbe-bn6xk]

I remember that movie ...... Being a woman at the turn of the century wasn't easy either no matter what women have had to try to be everything and it's still not enough the world is falling apart

[@bigmamasgarden]

I have a story of family members passing as white too. My family on my dad's side was mixed with French Creole, Creek/Cherokee Indians and Irish and alot of family on that side left Alabama/Louisiana and passed for white. One story I remember some of my grandmother's sister's family moved to Florida and passed as white. They never returned to Louisiana, but my grandmother and aunt would go visit them in Florida and due to their lighter complexion while there they passed as white, but returned home to a community in Louisiana where everyone knew they were people of color. The cousin in Florida had her neighbors and friends think her family visiting were white. So it was alot of hidden family history. Everybody in the family knew where those that left and passed for white was knowing they could never return home again. Some thought the grass was greener on the other side with less troubles, but they lost a deeper rich family culture from the ancestors they covered up.

[@nytn]

Wow---I agree with you SO much. I feel that loss of family culture acutely.

[@marie3919]

My daddy brother refused to be black he passed and had his 5 children pass and they married Caucasian race and their children looks white. They won’t come around us, what’s so heartbreaking is they lied and deceived their spouses

[@japspeedgirl6216]

@@marie3919I see your point of view and it is valid and I also understand your pain, but I feel they had a good reason to do it and were I the deceived spouse, i would have understood and never held it against them.

[@marie3919]

@@japspeedgirl6216 Let me say this , you never turn from your race to pass for another no matter what the reason

[@eleanormedina6703]

She didn't pass as white because she wanted a better life she left because she couldn't pass as black.

[@talimcn2611]

My ethnicity is black, irish and native indian. My family spoke about why we was so mixed. They put white on my granfather, my dad's and his siblings birth certificate to stop the harrasment in alabama then they moved to NY but we welcome being colored❤ You should never be scared of who you are for nobody!

[@nytn]

Talisha, thank you for sharing such a similar story. Im so proud to learn my heritage finally

[@erichfaggart8992]

Its funny with people that pass when you get around black or spanish people they claim you right away.

[@eleanormedina6703]

@@nytn what tribe?

[@JefeRecapshow]

Same thing here

[@amirahrashidah]

Hi Danielle! I’ve been binge watching your channel today. It’s inspired me to take an Ancestry DNA test because there are things that I feel have been hidden in my family history on both my maternal and paternal sides. Thank you for sharing your family story! By the way, you really favor your great grandmother Lola! Sending you love!

[@nytn]

Amirah, that is awesome!! Im so glad you found the channel. Let me know what your results are! I think there are many people with generations of hidden heritage. Also I just posted a follow up interview with my brother you might like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ7Gi2tuZslgiKM

[@brindisi2brooklyn]

This is a great way to document the journey of a passing black woman. But the family explains away Lola’s choice as a simple decision to have a better life. Unfortunately, they didn’t think about the relatives that couldn’t pass. They had to stay and continue to suffer the awful effects of racism. Kudos to the filmmaker for being more open minded.

[@nytn]

Thank you for this comment. You are right. I am at the very beginning of this journey, there is SO much more to come. I have met so many of my black cousins, they'll be showing up on here soon!

[@bridlong7763]

Lolas daughter looks like her brother Alphonsus. The family resemblance is uncanny.

[@nytn]

That is amazing! My family thought Alphonse looked exactly like our family, too. Funny since we had never seen a photo of him before but we immediately recognized it!

[@DJRenee]

Yes

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Your Mom ended this video with an amazing observation. She is watching this epic unfolding on KZbin and "OMG, that is my family!" This research can become so many wonderful things and I'm thankful that you chose to share it and the YT algorithm put you in my feed. Excellent work, Danielle. ❤

[@nytn]

You are the best-- thank you for that comment. My mom is a great sport with all of this-- it's challenging for many who go through life as one thing and find out your heritage is also mainly another! But she has loved hearing everything-- even when it's a 2 am text from me!

[@alidea20]

As someone born in South America living in the U.S., I can say welcome to our world with respects to not knowing what race to check in a form 🤣 also always feel weird picking the Hispanic / Latino box as that’s not a race.

[@anndeecosita3586]

The US census doesn’t have Hispanic as a race. It’s separated out. Otherwise it depends on the form. Most will say white non Hispanic or black non Hispanic and so on. But I have seen others that separate the question out. I don’t know what country you are from but Brazil does have some racial quotas in regards to higher education.

[@MCKevin289]

Also, I’m a history teacher and one small correction, slavery and indentured servitude weren’t the same. Indentured servitude is what I call diet slavery

[@nytn]

thank you for that! Im still learning a lot.

[@MCKevin289]

@@nytn No problem! Indentured servants were often prisoners for things like theft or other petty crime. Others were poor peasants with no prospects and were enticed by the promise of land and possibility of learning a trade and signed contracts. Others were pows or captured rebels. But for the period of the contract(3-8 years usually) they did slave labor and dealt with similar problems slaves did. After Bacons rebellion they slowly phased indentured servitude out for slavery.

[@leonceboudreauxwolf]

Ok... you're a teacher. Have you ever asked an indentured servant what they thought about it ? Depending on the situation but sometimes it was as bad as slavery. 'Course, they're not around in America anymore so good luck with that.

[@MichelleLuvn25]

@@leonceboudreauxwolfthat was extremely dumb to think yet even ask…. If they are a history teacher, don’t you think they would know the difference between the two. You’re the unintelligent one here🤷🏽‍♀️🤣🤣🤣

[@jadeh2699]

Just an FYI - data on race is collected in part to identify disparities between people of different backgrounds, and to track whether or not those disparities are increasing or decreasing over time.

[@nytn]

I do see that intent of it, i just think that someone like me who can check like...4 boxes off? I dont know if that's helping the way they want it too. I usually just skip that section now...

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Interesting journey! I will say that you/some of your family benefited from passing...no Black Codes, no KKK, no CRT (taught only in Law School), no racial profiling...no lynching...no driving while black...no Affirmative Action...and on and on. You benefited...and you're not the only one! As a genealogist/historian of African American and Native American history, I have seen this sort of thing tear many a family apart...to include my own family. In short, the U.S. Census started in 1790 ( the boxes) where whites and slaves were assessed. Slave owners paid taxes on their slaves just like paying taxes on a horse. The slave was property! Also, keep in mind as we move through U.S. history, the more slaves you had, the richer you were, the more taxes paid, the more entitlementyou thought you had. These BOXES continued because money continues to be tied up into it...not to mention, knowing where certain segments of the population was located. Today, you see some of this with the recent election in Florida and Georgia. Republicans know that they cannot win a legitimate, fair election...they must gerrymander to water down the black vote in various section...hence, DeSantis in Florida. Also, don't forget that the SCOTUS aided in destroying the black vote...leaving it to the states. Black folks are, in my opinion, the only group of people who must continue to fight for voting rights. Why is that? Also, you must ask yourself, why do white Republicans feel the need to do this in the 21st century? There is clearly a big racial problem in the United States...there has always been a racial problem... So, no, you don't have to deal with any of that based on this KZbin segment. Not intended to be a class in United States systemic history. I am not clear on some of the commits made in this KZbin segment. Looking forward for seeing an episode on your family and slavery (if applicable)...especially dealing with Louisiana.

[@nytn]

Darlene, thank you so much for this really thorough comment. We have benefitted so much from being shielded from whatever experiences my family had in Louisiana. I talked about that a lot in Episode 3:kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH3bkod4naiolbs You might also like to watch this episode on my enslaved great grandfather: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3Lbqq1mppV0atU

[@japspeedgirl6216]

Darlene, you are so right! It is astonishing that everything you are highlighting is happening in 21st century. Also, it might be just my circles, but in Europe, where I come from, the numbers of white people seeing racial problem with clarity are higher. Perhaps you need distance to understand the injustice…

[@lylarose2696]

News Flash, African Americans are voting in droves and they all have ID.

[@MeMe-xe4ly]

So, after the one drop rule was overturned in Louisiana, what is the lowest percentage to legally be considered black

[@MeMe-xe4ly]

I love your videos and I would love to one day be able to afford to take the ancestry DNA test. My grandmother was born and raised in South Central Louisiana of Native American and Haitian decent. On my dad's side black, white, and Native American. I seem to think that there will also be Asian as well. Hopefully ONE day I will find out

[@LeaksRepairswhenurplumbe-bn6xk]

I agree about the boxes because I've been confused my whole life on how to answer the box as i got older i checked Indian however was told i needed an official paper to check that box .... and there's no Irish Cherokee

[@Wleduff]

These remind me of my time as a child, my mother and her father and mother were very light skinned and my father was black. My mother took me to a dentist and when he looked at us, he told her that she could enter through the door in the front but I had to enter through the colored door. I had to because there were no black dentists at that time, now with the way politics is going I see that sentiment returning. There are places in Louisiana that I can't go because of my skin color.

[@nytn]

Support more storytelling and get behind the scenes videos: www.patreon.com/NYTN/about Grab your own Ancestry DNA test now! : amzn.to/3UxGKJx Want to rewatch any of "Finding Lola"? Here's the series: Watch the Episode 1 that started the whole journey: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYLTaJ2bg9WSr8k Watch Episode 2 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4HdgX6Jf8uem9E Watch Episode 3 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mH3bkod4naiolbs Watch Episode 4 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXXdZ3mdp5ikors

[@gy7422]

This is very common in Africa American family USA it nothing new to us 🤨

[@nytn]

I wonder how many people from the passing family find their way back? I feel like Im almost without a plan for what comes next.

[@Spring_Flowerrrrs]

I discovered a split in my family tree too and couldn’t believe it. Literally a set of siblings started passing while the others did not. I didn’t message anyone from those branches but a few weeks later, we were all showing in the “Thrulines” through a set of 3xGreat Grandparents. This happened often and we cannot pass judgement on anyone for how they chose to live their lives. DNA though, doesn’t lie🫶🏽

[@nytn]

Wow this gave me chills to read!

[@marthamurphy7940]

My mixed-race ancestor William Bass lived in Virginia from 1654-1741. His mother's husband was White and gave him a document stating that he also was White. His mother was Indian. Some of his descendants married Black people and some married White or Native American people. His direct male-line descendants have African Y-DNA. His other descendants and I are very fortunate that his family saved documents and made wills. So even that far back, there were people who "changed" ethnic groups. It's quite fascinating. My children are descended (on their father's side) from another mixed race marriage in the 1600s that has been documented. None of us had a clue until we had our DNA read!

[@elizabethbelanger6548]

Love this series. DNA testing gave me a deep family mystery as well. I grew up white but I always knew my fathers family was different somehow. My ancestry results show Nigerian, Congolese and South American indigenous results. Of course I am mostly of Scottish/English ancestry, but these results point to my grandmother being probably one quarter black. The big mystery is the South American indigenous. I think my ancestor was probably from Guyana at some point. Anyway, it was so refreshing to hear y’all talk about your heritage. Talking about all the historical events that have to happen in order to be born is something I think about everyday. Knowing that there is so much pain and tragedy in this history makes me mindful of how I live my life and appreciate the freedom I enjoy. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@nytn]

Elizabeth, thank you so much for sharing your story. I absolutely love connecting over these experiences. We are on this journey together and just getting started!

[@elizabethbelanger6548]

@@nytn yes! It is an emotional journey and very overwhelming sometimes. It often feels very lonely. Watching your videos made me feel like I’m not alone 💕

[@patriciaviczmandy649]

That makes you black? With the one drop rule probably

[@OllieMissouri-is6ei]

A social construct, the WM concocted. Don’t listen to the WM his thing was yo devide. Don’t let anything devide the family.

[@snich8551]

Omg, as I was reading your comment, before I got down, I looked at your picture and said you look like my uncle's wife. We are Guyanese. After I read indigenous from South America, I said oh probably Guyanese, and then I saw you came to the same conclusion.

[@richarddeguzman8294]

There were a lot of folks passing. And, they still are. Within my family even today.

[@nytn]

Wow-- Im really really curious about this.

[@valeriejoseph4227]

Same here. There are many more "white" Americans with Black ancestry than will ever want to know. If you can trace your family back to before the Civil War, most likely you have some mixed roots. Don't forget. EVERY slave woman was raped repeatedly, their entire lives. Lighter skinned Blacks married each other to give their offspring greater advantages. More people have African roots than Native American roots.

[@homodeus8713]

Let them pass in peace. It’s not really passing, they just don’t want to be labelled as something they don’t want or perhaps even feel.

[@jennianthony8127]

Wow Danielle, I wonder what this must be like for you and your family to learn this information. It’s Sooooo strange to me that by American standards you’re Black (one drop rule) but because you were disconnected from your Black family you don’t feel Black. No judgement here! It makes me reflect on my background. I’m your complexion and my DNA is 70%+ Caucasian but I identify as Black. I was Only connected to my Black family and had minimal contact with the other side. I think culture is a big part of one’s identity

[@nytn]

Jenni, it has been an amazing experience. And it is just starting! I am finally meeting all the family that we had 'lost" from white passing. I don't feel like am any one group right now, but as I learn more about my heritage, it is making it feel more real than just a dna test result

[@reaux3921]

You’re not black 😂 you’re a white woman

[@axjohn]

I want to watch EVERY video you do on tour family. What a wondrous journey. I think what you have done has “freed” Lola in some sense. Absolutely love your mom’s sense of humor. Please keep the videos coming. ❤

[@nytn]

This comment made my day!! I am still shocked and honored that anyone cares about hearing our little family drama. What you said about Lola brought tears to my eyes. I never thought about it like that. Makes me so happy. Im so glad you are here! And my mom is awesome-- we don't take ourselves too seriously LOL

[@axjohn]

@@nytn so glad you liked my comment. I think you might be surprised at how much people enjoy your family’s journey. I took several DNA tests about 6 years ago just to see if family rumors were correct. I’m 72, African American in SoCal but my maternal roots are in Arkansas back to Alabama in the early 1800’s, and thru Louisiana back to Tennessee and Virginia thru my paternal side, again to the early 1800’s. And of course we were rumored to have “Indian blood” on both sides. Well, long story short, it’s true!! Turns out I’m 74% African, 18% European-ish, and 6% indigenous. And through research I was able to find a cousin with way more indigenous blood than I have who had a picture of our common indigenous ancestor born in Monterrey, Mexico in 1840. He had a daughter and a son. I descend from the daughter and the person who supplied the picture descends from the son. I say this just to show that MANY of us are on the journey you are on. I just wanted to KNOW where I came from before I leave this earth. And taking this journey has given me new cousins all over the world that I never knew I had, in places I’ve visited. I could have walked past a cousin in London or Paris and not known it! Well, keep up the good work and keep giving Lola wings. Continue to be the air beneath Lola’s wings. 🙏🏽

[@carinakaron8068]

A beautiful comment 💖💕💕

[@jamesvesta]

Ok, it still matters because the problem of racism isn't solved everywhere. When I was growing up, I was sure the problem was solved. When I was in the military, I was sure that racism had been eliminated from our country. After leaving the military, and going to certain areas, I realized it is still alive and well. That said, for most people, it isn't. But this subject still matters. You are approaching it from exactly the correct angle, but it needs to be talked about. We are all cousins. Keep teaching.

[@agent9973]

As someone who knew my Louisiana background...I did my ancestry recently and the first thing that came up was you are of the Louisiana Creole Peoples. It was prominent more than we knew. My family never denied it or ran from it...and some used it to their advantage but........never said they were NOT BLACK. It was discussed among my family. I have even found 5-8th family in the UK and France.

[@lilpaulettenthegang7869]

Wait are you related to me? This sounds like my family. Our family name is Pettiford.

[@marie3919]

Same with my family the ones that pass, they will never say they black

[@fawnjenkins7266]

This is so interesting! I have a similar situation in my family. My 5th great grandmother was born a slave, her first child's father is unknown, but both of them were listed as free women of color in pre-Civil War Mississippi. At 15, my 5 great grandmother ran away from her owner along with a Native American boy. When she was caught, her owner sold her. Her new owner emancipated her and then they went on to have a family together. I come through the oldest daughter. We assume she is the daughter of the previous owner, but could also be from the boy she ran away with. Her last name is the same as her mother's first owner on her marriage certificate. We haven't found any descendants of color. The children kept marrying and having children with Caucasians in my line.

[@nytn]

So similar! I am so happy that you have that much of your story.

[@robinjordan-henry9215]

I've a great uncle who moved from Ohio to Pennsylvania; once he moved he passed for Native American. My great great grandmother left her family for awhile and passed for white. Both of these people were on my mother's side of the family. My father was very fair, he grew up in the forties and fifties. As a youth his friends would ask him "why he didn't pass?" Passing is a painful experience for most people and the pain is hidden because if the truth were known it could lead to many difficult and sometimes dangerous situations. People who pass are denying an important part of themselves. I've a cousin who has researched our family, the maternal side, and has traced it back to 1862. I've had my DNA tested by Ancestry. One of my long lost cousins contacted me; in the course of the conversation he mentioned that our shared relative's portrait was hanging in a museum. I asked if he knew the story of how she escaped from bondage. He had no idea that she was black. We are related through my great uncle that passed for Native American. The family was surprised but very interested to find out more about their history. BTW in 2007 my family received an invitation to a gathering in Scotland for family members. We thought it was a scam, fast forward to present day and I find that I'm 14% Scottish. In fact according to DNA I'm 39% European. Go figure! I identify as African American.

[@nytn]

WOW. I need to know more about this portrait!!

[@FCntertainr]

Awesome account, courage and real strength you show. Many are finding out they have African ancestry from. Louisiana. Southern roots also can contain African roots for families that didn't leave the south maybe 30% estimated after the Civil War. Even with slavery, slave owners I've been able to trace my 8 great- parents families and at least 2 into the 1700s abd beyond. The further one goes back the more relatives!

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Lola left most likely because of Jim Crow, which lumped Creoles into the category of black. Before JC, Creoles were just mixed people, with some status. With Jim Crow that status was gone, hence the preferential treatment as Creoles

[@adr8605]

Great series! I love your comment …as we dig into our heritages, we find that we are more alike than different. So true! Also, from the first episode what struck me was the very striking resemblance you have to your great grandmother! Wow!

[@dinkster1729]

Danielle looks more 'black" and "native" for sure, but, if she was raised in the North, probably, people didn't give it much thought. My one sister looks French-Canadian and, maybe, Native. She actually did the DNA test for 23 and me and she is French, but not Native. I guess my mother was wrong. After being married to my father for several years and having 4 kids with him, she met the rest of his family. She decided than that he was native. LOLOL! Mommy is wrong. There was a smidgen of Spanish DNA in evidence though and that surprised my sister and me.

[@nytn]

That makes my day-- I look up to Lola so much and feel a very strong connection to her. Im so glad you are here on this journey with me!

[@nytn]

Funny enough I ALWAYS got asked if I was "X", especially in the summer since I get very dark for a "white" person (even in a NY summer LOL). But I somehow never put the pieces together. Im curious what your sister's haplogroup was!

[@bill90405]

I am fascinated by the other half of this equation: your “black” cousins who are now also faced with their European heritage, knowing that it likely results from non-consensual pairing. I have watched Dr Gates explain these realities to people of color and their reactions are very real. In some situations he has asked if the guest wants to withdraw from the broadcast and Im sure some have, but how brave are the ones who continue?

[@marthamurphy7940]

I think if your birth certificate said "Black," you WOULD care. There is still a considerable amount of discrimination against Black people, that White people sometimes are not aware of. Not caring is another piece of white privilege. Remember the Native American man telling that Indian, Black and children of color weren't allowed to go to school with the White children. I had a friend in college (1966-1970) who was Creole. It mattered to her.

[@chino3796]

The "One Drop" law was overturned in 1983. In 2022, Louisiana voted to KEEP slavery laws on the books.

[@zemry]

The vote was not to keep slavery on the books. The author of the constitutional amendment to end slavery urged everyone to vote against it because it was in artfully phrased and would not have solved the problem. It will be re-written and placed on the ballot next year.

[@peachygal4153]

You hit the nail on the head here Danielle. Jim Crow laws made Lola's and Donnelly's marriage illegal in Louisiana and all over the south. My guess is that is why they left. Lola wasn't ashamed. Maybe her husband wanted her to fib. His family considered her "Indian" probably because he told them that. He told his parents that my guess is because there was less stigma being native American but obviously enough stigma it made little difference to your gg grandfather. It did seem though the neighborhood tolerated their marriage perhaps a little better her being an "Indian." I do feel by that point she had little choice once they came to New York. As you said, by that point she was pretending for her children.

[@sharhondadaniels113]

At that time, passing for white meant easier life. Point black, period. Being forced to drink out of nasty rotten water fountains, forced to sit in the back, go around back, or the fear of being hung for being black/colored or jailed is scary, anxiety-driven life to live. When opportunities were presented to live as a white person, many people took the chance. It's easier to say TODAY, I would choose to be me, with terms like Black is Beautiful or Say It Loud, I'm Black, and I'm Proud. But think, why did those terms have to be created in the first place. Also, Lola most likely wouldn't have known her exact age because most colored people didn't have correct birth certificates at that time because of race.

[@p.thompson5474]

Stumbled onto this today! Thank you. Yes, these stories about ancestry and power relations are not unfamiliar to my family. Southern history in general, and Louisiana history in particular, is more complex than is usually presented. BTW Louisiana has the oldest Filipino(and Filipino-Chinese) communities in what is now the U.S.: 1763.

[@p.thompson5474]

Servants-slaves on Spanish galleons in the Manila-Acapulco trade, they jumped ship and took refuge in the bayous of Louisiana. That's now 11th and 12th generation.

[@nytn]

The Chinese side is so interesting to me because our cousins literally come from those lines. Amazing history in Louisiana!

[@Truthseeker7771000]

I grew up hearing how noone wanted to be black ppl like our music our food etc our art, an actually people do want to be black but they don't want the pain of living in usa or a racist colorist world in general as a black person, ppl who erase their ethnic identifiers to pass experience will always be different from those who don't have a choice. If you been white all this time now your finding out your mixed than you should embrace your true heritage. When you say you still identify as white after uncovering all this it's makes me cringe 😅 like how. Your not so far removed if you can trace it

[@thinktank2255]

I’m African American, and for centuries White people have had the WRONG ideology about people of African ancestry or Black people. First of all, African Americans are proud of ourselves. We love ourselves, and especially our MELANIN (i.e.,BROWN skin). Furthermore, people of African ancestry are NOT subhumans. We are the first modern humans.

[@bridlong7763]

I think Danielle really looks like her great grandmother Lola even down to her skin tone. Interestingly as Danielle's mom pointed out she has very pale skin and appears very Caucasian. I'm sure a geneticist could explain all of this. It would be lovely to get that input as it seems the generations in-between were Caucasian looking.

[@nytn]

I love hearing that about looking like Lola, feels special! My mom has always been really really careful with sunscreen and the sun-----I know now that was a learned behavior! But also, it's funny how DNA works--you get what you get and it doesn't always match what people think you SHOULD look like. I think it's an interesting topic to discuss. I have three kids and one is fair with light brown hair and the other two are tan with dark hair. All are mine :)

[@DJRenee]

Yeah because you are most certainly very dark and very ethnic looking. You certainly took back to the Black side.

[@AnniceMichelle]

People assume that we all come in a darker skin tone. It is not uncommon especially in America that we come in variations of colors. Your story proves why we shouldn't go by color in this nation. Instead we should all be American.

[@ameliasandersjohnson3604]

My mother died when she was 56 years old. I meet her father (my grandfather) for the first time at the funeral. He was passing for white. I was flabbergasted. My grandmother had verified who he was. He never visited my mother when she was alive.

[@Kindred04]

I'm sorry for the loss of your mom. Her "father's" behavior really bothers me. If he didn't care enough about her to visit her when she was alive, then he had no right to attend her funeral. I swear, I think some people would sell their souls if it meant they could move through this world as a white person.

[@OfficiallymeSaS1221]

My great grandmother could have passed for white but she embraced but she identified herself as being a black woman and she was born in 1850 and her husband was a black man what is crazy how some families died with this secrets in them❤

[@Emy53]

All those things you identify with are because how you were raised. Sometimes we can't just instinctually feel it unless you look so different, that you question it. I am so happy I know where my ancestors are from. There were no secrets.

[@jeanettegarrod-williams9150]

My mother was black and my father was white. I'm a 67-year-old woman now. I know why secrets were kept down south. It wasn't always about opportunity sometimes you could lose your life if you're black in the wrong place at the wrong time. My mother came up to New York for a better life and just happened to meet my father and there were no secrets. Her whole family was dark skinned and there was no question they were black. They went on a trip in the 1960s and could have been lynched because they were a married couple and in some states that was illegal.

[@nytn]

Jeanette, this story makes my heart so sad. You know to this day I havent seen any official marriage documents for my great grandmother, Lola, and her white husband. They married in 1925 in Louisiana where it was illegal, like you said. And truly dangerous. I dont blame my great gram for moving to NY and changing the facts, she wanted to protect us....and she did.

[@mochalattemiss]

I have just a couple of points to get you to consider, just to be aware of other people and their experiences: First, our ancestors were not just “slaves”, but are enslaved Africans. I am not trying to nitpick. I want to try to have you (and others) re-humanize people that have been stripped of all humanity. We don’t know what country or African ethnic nation they are from, so we dignify them by calling them “Africans who were enslaved”. Please consider doing that in the future in your videos. As far as how you and your family identify from now on, the reality is that you are mixed race individuals. I will not decry you for considering yourself white, but as an African-American of Creole descent myself, I see you and it is very clear to me that you are of mixed race. Culturally, we are all Americans…you growing up in New York State, me growing up in Washington, DC, we are culturally American. Our sub-cultures, however, are very strong and in my case, mine is African American, and yours “may” not be as White as you believe because of the lies. The lies are an enduring and consistent part of of Creole culture. We have all had to lie and to mis-identify because of the scourge American slavery and its insane rules, and the false construct around “race”. So, believe it of not, your story is so much more African-American than you think. These lies, and the identification issue is indeed part and parcel of our Creole culture that Scandinavian-Americans did not have to endure. “Whiteness” as a construct, affords you so many more benefits in American culture, so I see why you would be reluctant to give it up. It is also all you know, experientially. But realistically, the fact that you are having this discussion during your videos makes you as Black and mixed race as I am, because these are the hallmarks of ALL our stories. The Irish don’t have these discussions. The Norwegians don’t have these discussions. Only mixed race people, in French “Les Gens de Couleur”, have to somehow plant a flag in one race and claim it, ignoring all the rest. Think about these things, if you will. By the very act of having this cinematic conversation about your origins, THAT MAKES YOU BLACK (mixed-race). Your cultural “whiteness” has literally disappeared. Welcome to the Black experience (especially the Black Louisiana experience).

[@nytn]

Sheila, I want to profoundly thank you for this comment. I respect people who take the time to educate in a kind way. I am here to share BUT mostly to learn. I want to address what you said and maybe ask for help, too. You are right about using slave vs enslaved. I adjusted that in my newest video actually. Thank you! Believe it or not, it brings tear to my eyes when people outside of the white community can identify me as their own, and I am amazed that overwhelming that has been my experience on here--90% of the time that is what Im reading in the comments. I didnt know my heritage was visible to others, it was so hidden from us. I am extremely proud of it, but I do want to respect the very different way I was raised. My grandmother and her mother both dealt with racism,they tried to shield us from that. It worked in some ways--they both married white men. I dont feel reluctant to give up being White, otherwise starting this journey would have been very foolish, but I am hesitant to try to squeeze in where I am not wanted or maybe don't belong? I have also been told by a few people on here that I am obviously just white and looking for attention. It's hard. I hate to think Im doing the wrong thing. This is very important to me as a mother myself. I hope you stay around, I really have a lot to learn.

[@marajacobs-proctor200]

I have two direct ancestors who were hung for being witches at the Salem witch trials. I found this out about 8 years ago by doing research online. No one in my family had an inkling at all that this was the case. Why? I can only imagine the shame felt by the family and a desire to bury this information, even though of course they were the victims of a horrible miscarriage of justice. Just an example of how, like you, you can have never been told important things about your own family. Amazing!

[@nytn]

WOW. I would watch a video on your family story, that is incredible. You are so right...most of the time we don't learn about our story because of shame or perceived shame. I think this is the generation to open all of that up, dust it off, and own it.

[@LillianSteele-u9v]

Your family needs to be apologized to for this most heinous crime. And I am sorry that this was done. You are brave.

[@ishaundale]

I think this is great information. However, I don't think you've considered that you wake up Black in a white body. Lola didn't just decide she wanted a better life and moved to NY. She decided she was tired of the life she had. Many of us never get that option. For many, there is no option. We're Black. We can decide to move, but we're still Black. Let's all check all the boxes!

[@nytn]

Really good comment, thank you

[@BronxRisen]

“I am glad it happened the way it did” your mothers response to your question in reference to finding out her roots are brown and how deeply rooted her family is in the art of “Passing”. It was almost like she was happy they chose the better option, I don’t know why that hurt me to my soul. I love your journey but hate how much the preference still continues to be preferred. From one NY girl to another😔💯🙌🏾🙏🏽

[@nytn]

Im glad you commented this so I can clarify! I edited this pretty heavily. It was really long. She meant that in reference to being happy our family history happened the way it did--she is glad Lola went to NY because otherwise none of us would be here. My mom is so proud of our heritage:) If that wasn't conveyed it's on me. Im a new editor :)

[@BronxRisen]

@@nytn I comment often because we have a very similar story. I love that you took the time to clarify and appreciate your willingness to share. My grandmother much like yours flocked to NYC from Ahoskie NC. My mother was her only biracial child, she was given the last name of my grandmothers husband and moved North. I knew nothing about my white grandfather until the name Tyner kept coming up in family conversations. But when it did it was almost in silence, I found out at around ten that my mother was biracial and knew almost nothing about her father L. Tyner. She just mentioned his sister that she remembered seeing before they left to come north. Either way it’s something I’ve always sought to rectify for my mother, I lost her in 2019 before I got to do so. Because of that I stick to your story with my heart, filtering the details so that I can come to understand my own. Thank you❤️

[@nytn]

@@BronxRisen This is one of the most beautiful responses to the videos I have seen. Thank you. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother, it feels like a continual loss on many levels I am sure. It's up to us now to bring wholeness where our family couldn't. We are in this together!💞💞

[@BronxRisen]

@@nytn thank you🙏🏽❤️

[@homodeus8713]

But they don’t look black.

[@truthseeker9679]

I don't blame Lola for what she did. America was so twisted in its behavior back then that it made just our being human beings unthinkable to them🙏🙏🙏God bless Lola.

[@cynthiasullivan8233]

This story is not unique! What is unique is that you are sharing this. Many of us have split families, very common in Louisiana . Thank you😊

[@nytn]

so glad you are here, Cynthia

[@Sweetiebrownne1163]

No shade, but the truth (our truth) is that she didn't experience anything that Black people weren't experiencing at that time! There weren't any special circumstances in her case. Black people suffered immensely, and she had a way out! It is what it is!

[@PAAID08]

Danielle definitely doesn't look white. I would never guess she was but 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@nytn]

That's so interesting to me!

[@rhondajohnson8310]

I just came across your channel, and I think you are brave for showing the journey of your family. I think your grandmother made her choice based on her experiences and experiences of other black,indigenous, and Hispanic people at the time and now. Every family has secrets, but family is family.

[@nytn]

Thank you so much! There is so much I am learning and plan to share:) Im thankful to finally know

[@sallyannburke2607]

When my Dad got his DNA done we found out that my great grandfather was Portuguese. We were surprised because we always thought he was French Canadian. We are from an area with a huge Portuguese population. French, Irish, Italians, Polish and of course Portuguese are mostly Catholics so they do intermingle in church. But when I fill out medical forms sometimes they tell me to check of Latina for genetic disease reasons

[@deborahdufel1664]

Two extraordinary women, thank you for sharing your story.

[@nytn]

So kind of you! I come from a really wonderful line of women.

[@cyelgreen4655]

This is great. I've been digging into my ancestry. I am 97.6 % African. 1% Irish 1% Indigenous

[@nytn]

Im so glad you are here! :)

[@lovelydiva06]

Having black lineage or black ancestry doesn’t make you black especially when your predominantly white and look white, just like black americans being 10-40% white cause of our white ancestry/linage doesn’t make us white especially when you look predominantly black, even if your half/half or a quarter white or black you are what you look or you can just claim mix these days, I get they didn’t have a choice then cause of the one drop rule no matter how white you were or looked you were classified black/colored unless you passed as white and no one knew but these days you can’t claim being black or white if you don’t look it cause your part white or black as I said you are what you look, you don’t look black so why claim to be black just say your a mixed race italian that way you can claim all you are but still acknowledge your Italian roots

[@OreliaLatrice]

I have noticed how some of my comments under your previous videos has caused such controversy, questioning why I would say that you’re a part of the black community. Ppl got really upset by that. Well, the truth is the truth. 🤷🏽‍♀️ with my background, there are a lot of ppl in the black community that say I’m not “black enough,” … even with my outward appearance. 😬 🙄 So, I say all that to say this: you are damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Now if you were not to share this & someone finds out, then they would accuse you of being ashamed of your true ancestry. Keep doing what you’re doing. ❤

[@nytn]

Lol maybe I missed some of them! I try to stay on top of the conversations but definitely got behind. I agree with you 100% it does feel a little like damned if you do damned if you don't! A good insight into how difficult it is for many people to feel COMFORTABLE just identifying themselves racially. Someone is always unhappy with what you say. When people ask what I am now (racially), I usually just say "A New Yorker". :)

[@OreliaLatrice]

@@nytnLOL .. EXACTLY!! I totally get it. I wouldn’t worry too much. Ppl are very sensitive to topics like this. Lol hence why I just identify with saying I’m black LOL … just saying you’re a New Yorker is a good one! I like it… you don’t have to justify anything to anyone. Much love. ❤

[@freespirit.guidedbyangels.1586]

Lola Looked Sicilian Or Puerto Rican With more Latin in her .. The girl I'n this Video with braids Has High Cheekbones. . Looks Native Spanish to me. I don't see white. Now the Women on the Left.. Like white.

[@Dunlap1910]

Really AMAZING!....also I appreciate your ownership of not knowing what you don't know & welcoming help. So many people could care less. (1 drop rule)...America has a very gruesome past & this was their way of keeping us from liberties. The 'Box'......is now how the government figures out what communities get what as well as who's thriving/ excelling. In a perfect world we would be able to live as HUMAN BEINGS & not be judged by color. We've got a long way to go. You're doing great!!!

[@nytn]

What a kind comment- thank you so much!! I always figure it's better to admit you have no idea what's going on than try to pretend you have it figured out and get caught haha :)

[@Dunlap1910]

@@nytn 💜

[@lakisha1235]

Not for nothing, but you can see and hear the ethnicity in you and your mother. Even your aunts

[@nytn]

It's a bummer but I cant control how folks take history, wish I could, Id make the world a better place. I want to understand the origin stories for why "white" is this monolithic bad guy to everyone. Because it's not, these histories prove that. White changes and so we cant pin it all on "one group of white people"

[@GinaCriv]

Danielle...you have a very open and receiving spirit, that is clear to see. Your curiosity is what has opened up the ancestral Pandora's box, and I think not everyone is as comfortable and accepting of its contents as you. We all (especially from the south) have grown up with secrets and mis-truths about our families, the common thread being shame and guilt. If we could only flip that and accept all parts of us that survived through hellish circumstances with pride and empathy for all of our ancestors. Many blessings to you. 🙏🏾

[@nytn]

thank you for such a kind comment. I am open, and that can be scary because who knows what that can mean. But I always wanted to know the truth, and now it is finally happening!

[@jorgegonzales9815]

On the census you self-identify. The Mexican part makes no sense. Mexican are not black or mulatto. And Mexican is a nationality not a race. Was he trying to pass as Mexican. And Perot is a French name.

[@kittiescorner222]

Maybe surprising or not but I'm 100% European. Not surprisingly because I'm super white, but also surprising because my family has been in America for so long that I have no idea how long we've been here. I think it's pretty cool that you guys have such a diverse background.

[@nytn]

People with long-standing American history are fascinating to me. There is SO much to unpack there. I plan on doing a video about the Civil war next---I bet you have records from that !

[@Yada_Ben_Yisrael]

You are what your father is. Don't confuse skin tones and other physical features with ethnicity. The further back we go, the more admixtures we're likely to find. Your patrilineal line determines your ethnicity regardless of your physical features.

[@paulacopeland8360]

What!!!😂

[@NiKiMa023]

I know this is a religious take, the father carries the seed, but I find it ridiculous. The mother is just as integral and her ethnic past doesn’t get removed. I don’t know how to say that so it doesn’t sound disrespectful, I absolutely don’t mean it that way.

[@dorothyedwards7225]

It is incredible how a woman and other people will try to change history. -Similar to D.T---P!

[@robertolyra]

I identify so much with your perspectives. As a Brazilian that lived in USA I had similar questions as you have. I am a mix of Italian, Portuguese, Native and African. Very similar to your mix.

[@sallyintucson]

Depending on how I’m feeling, sometimes I just write “Human” on those silly forms.

[@lissamarschall4401]

Thank you for your time and effort put into this insightful history of your family heritage. I think you carry the weight of your legacy now. Amazing how so many of your family members didn't know what you discovered. I'm also glad that your family is able to reconnect with the southern part of your family members. I look forward to more of your work in future videos. Peace love happiness

[@nytn]

I very much feel that it is my calling. And my kids are little, but already learning so it is never forgotten .

[@lat7324]

I didn’t watch the series but based on this clip, I understand in a more modern way how separate white people think they have to be in order to be “white.” This mother and daughter are now discusses the need to get rid of race boxes on forms and this conversation was prompted because they have a mixed race grandmother and great grandmother. Somehow even if it anecdotal, now all people should be questioning their identity. The shock and surprise of having less then 10% black ancestry then questioning even for a second, who you might be racially is strange. The majority of phenotypical black Americans have some white admixture in their Ancestry and no one blinks an eye to question race boxes on forms. This “one drop rule” idea can really have white people questioning everything but the deeper issue is not that they have questions but way they are questioning it. American white people really think the only Americans with racial admixtures are people who are labeled non-white. The one drop rule was effective but that effective… to all the white people who think they have Cherokee (or other Native American), and Sicilian American ancestors those ancestors were most likely lighter skin black people or mixed race black people. If that makes you uncomfortable please question, why?

[@nytn]

Thank you for taking the time to write-- I think watching the series would give more context for sure! My mom's grandmother was a black/Native woman. It was her only grandparent and they were very close--but we never learned about out heritage or culture while she was alive. A lot was lost because she was afraid to be who she was. We arent uncomfortable--just learning for the first time about this side of our family and wondering. You'd be surprised most people tell me we should identify as Black. Feels like either way I look at it, someone is unhappy.

[@brittanyandria5614]

I’m binge watching your channel and this is great work! It really makes me want to dive into my own family roots more.

[@nytn]

What an awesome comment!! Yes dive into it, it's addicting, frustrating and incredible all at once. Keep me posted on what you find:)

[@romecottrell6444]

I'm starting to find your videos very interesting 🤔 , because I didn't know what you were talking about at first 😮. But now you're just talking about your family history like many other people throughout the whole world 🌎🌍 and you want to share your experiences with all of us .

[@niecylanae33]

I, like yourself, am the curious one in my family who wanted to know more about my ancestry and found some interesting things. Like someone else in the comments mentioned, being African American we know there is some mixture somewhere and sometimes can assume it happened in the worst ways but that is not always the case. And I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that wasn’t the case in my situation at all. (At least on one side of my family tree) People where “love” mixing even when it was illegal (in some places) for a long time and I think it is important for people to research their ancestry to get a better understanding of humans outside of the mindset of the “governing law at that time” and get to know our real ancestors for the humans they were. There are a lot of reasons why some of them moved the way they did based on the law but that doesn’t remove the emotions felt during those times. To a curious person watching I agree, there are a lot of missing answers in your family and that alone would’ve made me want to start digging lol. And then to SEE your great grandmother in her original state before moving? Girl your ancestors called you to not only bring light and truth to your family but to possibly spark curiosity in other people who also identify as white. And it is okay if everyone’s history isn’t as racially diverse, that still makes them beautiful. But there is always a moment where you tap into the human emotions of one of your ancestors that will make someone view the world and everyone else in it a little differently. I say all that to say good on you and good for you and your family to finally get some answers. I am loving every second of this discovery and am excited for whatever else you you find out! ❤

[@nytn]

This comment--- wow. I read it at least three times! I can only say thank you so much. It's scary to put your life and journey in the public eye, but I felt like it was what I was supposed to do. Thank you so much for encouraging me!

[@niecylanae33]

@@nytn you are building a community outside of your family who are rooting for you ❤️🙌🏾 and thank you so much for replying ☺️

[@nytn]

@@niecylanae33 oh my gosh, you are SO sweet. Thank you so much

[@lynntaylorbuccafuri5924]

@Niecy Lanae we’ll said!

[@niecylanae33]

@@lynntaylorbuccafuri5924 thank you!

[@sarasjv44]

I agree with you ladies... I never have liked the "check the race" boxes even as a child I would never want to check them. And now you know there are some things where they make you answer that question to proceed on (which is totally wrong to force people to do) I always check other and if it asks for an explanation I say human being!

[@familylifetoo9541]

Danielle you are mixed race 🥰 You truly look so much like Lola .

[@nytn]

Well this made my day!!

[@YadinZedek777]

You are beautiful and look Native American with your hair done in pig tails. 😍

[@jackiearcher7738]

The only thing I hope not to find in my lineage is that we owned other people. I gotten back to 1750 so far, and family members are listed in the census by name meaning they were free.

[@sna1910]

I have a question ? Is everythingbased on a lie ? Since certain family members passed as white and married white to create a lighter skin

[@nytn]

In our family? I think mostly. We literally knew nothing for a long time.

[@paisleyprincess7996]

Everything was a lie. I saw in another video how the grandma lived in her own terms, etc. In reality she paid a heavy price for those terms. I get why she did it but it was a life that was based in fiction

[@kitty_s23456]

Hi! I'm still enjoying your story and your journey. If I didn't know your heritage (through the vids), I'd think that you were white + Latino (Mexican, Colombian, etc). You could easily be cast as someone in a Mexican or Argentinian telenovela (pls don't be offended, it's a compliment). I hope to see more of your story. Btw, your journey reminded me of a Mexican KZbinr, La Karencita. She went to Vietnam & was always asked if she was Thai, Vietnamese or Filipino. She took a DNA test & you can look her up. Btw, your mom looks so young - you look like sisters! Greets from PH 🇵🇭.

[@nytn]

I love that you see that in me! I think because that's what MOST people see in me. I am planning to dig into that heritage at some point, I know zero about it. Except that when I took the old school 23 and me test 10 years ago it only had 3 main groups and one was Mexican. That was surprising! My mom looks great for her age-- she won't go in the sun without insane sunscreen---now I know where that came from LOL

[@dinkster1729]

@@nytn My Grandmother was Norwegian-American from Iowa. She was born in 1898. She wouldn't go out in the sun either. I bought her a sunbonnet more as a joke than anything else at a Mennonite farmer's market. It was very inexpensive and very colourful. The market was about 150 miles away from where we lived. She wanted me to get her another one! She'd never go out in the sun either. She was very fair as was my mother and my sister. My Grandfather was German-Canadian by the way. People from that generation never got tanned. They wanted to keep their skin light even if they were 100% northern Europeans. By the way, tanning does damage the skin.

[@dinkster1729]

@@nytn I do think that the American obsession with race is weird. With so much mixing of race, what box do you tick or can you tick several? On our census, we can tick several for ethnic origin. Race is not asked, but some people in large cities want to ape the Americans. I'm Canadian by the way although my Grandmother's people were from the U.S.

[@nytn]

@@dinkster1729 you are so right!! Also, I am ALL about the sunscreen now. I never go outside without spf 50-- I love getting dark but the wrinkles are not worth it!

[@nytn]

@@dinkster1729 the US just has so many problems in this area. You can check multiple boxes but...the whole thing feels silly on some level to me. Race AND ethnicity.

[@jamillahm.6465]

It’s very interesting how far back you were able to search and the documents you were able to find. It was very very common for black people to pass as white, especially in the south. That was seen as an opportunity for escape, a way out of the oppressive conditions that they had to endure and a better life. It was common for some members of the same family to pass and others not. Just depended on the skin color and hair texture. I started researching my ancestry years ago to see how far back I could trace it and anything before 1870 becomes very difficult if you don’t have names, locations and know how to do a bit of detective work. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@gsimply3933]

😔😔😔You’re great mother knew that white people were treated different. And since she was able to pass as one, she did just that.

[@FCntertainr]

This series on Lola is fantastic! Amazing these are American stories.

[@nytn]

I am so glad you are here! I have so much more to share. I just recently connected with many of my black cousins. Cant wait to bring them on :) :) :)

[@culturalobserver8721]

One thing I thought of while watching this is the fact that it’s not so much who you are ethnically, it’s more HOW YOU LOOK that can determine how you’re treated. If you’re a fair-skinned minority, you are often treated better than those minorities who are darker. It’s very unfair, but it’s reality, in the past and to a degree, even now. By the way, the younger woman with braids look very Latina/Mexican. But the middle aged woman looks a combination of white and Native American. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@nytn]

That's so funny! The other person is my mom

[@tarriegibson1193]

This was a very nice conversation to share. It's very true.🙂

[@9thGenerationCajun]

I'am curious, Did your grandmother (Lola) speak English when she moved to New York? My dad was born in 1939 in Opelousas Louisiana he only spoke French until 1952 the state enforced English in schools the kids would get beaten if they spoke French. At 20 he left the farm life and moved to New Orleans he managed to completely lose the Cajun/French accent. My generation largely doesn't speak French because our parents didn't teach us.

[@nytn]

her first language was French/Creole according to a census from 1930 but she never taught my grammy or my mom, no one knew she spoke French until I found the document this year. She had a very heavy accent, my dad thought maybe she spoke Spanish!

[@syeholl3542]

There is an entire genre of literature on “Passing”. Even some of Faulkner greatest work & Mark Twains work is based around blacks that passed! Many great black authors Charles Chestnut wrote about it. Black people always knew about this! So it’s refreshing the ppl that identify as white, is catching up with the truth of how mixed we really are! Love it, thank you for being open minded enough to bring this to the surface!!

[@nytn]

Thank you so much for this comment! Yes my family has a lot of catching up to do.....:) :)

[@djhernandez85]

You want to share some of those works?

[@angelica49427]

I see you two in the vlog and I see two Native/Latina/ Hispanic lighter skinned women. Sadly the harassment and discrimination continues to occur, white people who go,out of their way to denigrate mixed people. More specifically racist against people mixed with other than Western Europe DNA.

[@nytn]

I am so happy you can see our Mexican heritage. It is something I know literally nothing about, and plan to start finding out that side next.

[@judyperri9496]

The reason race on forms exist is because federal funds are allocated depending on percentage of people of different races in an area Race is important in medicine because different disease run in different races It’s not racist or really difficult to understand

[@nytn]

I get that intent for sure! But someone like me who can check off... lots of boxes... I dont think it actually helps to achieve that end.

[@LillianSteele-u9v]

You are smart and brave. Please take care of yourself. From one historian to another. LJ Steele,MA

[@nytn]

how kind, thank you :)

[@LillianSteele-u9v]

And you are welcome. You also look like your mom.

[@AnniceMichelle]

It is interesting how you both still see black people as an other. That is not to say you should call yourselves black, but at the same time that ancestry is separate for you. Not an actual part of who you are.

[@nytn]

it feels so so new to me. I’m just so glad to finally know some truth. I think I have some imposter syndrome for sure

[@catmejia6109]

I mentioned in a previous vid on this series people of Mexican descent in America call themselves “natives” or “indigenous” since historically it has less , stigma, shall we say here in America,,, i got replies trying to tell me it’s the same thing AND ITS NOT….I notice in the video that’s what you refer that part of yourself as…. As shocked confused lost as you may be….an IndioMexicano is not the same as the “American natives/indigenous ” we know here in America, and any native on a reservation will tell you so! The culture is similar to an extent but very different, also there are less than 10% pure indigenous Indios in Mexico , Lola wasn’t one, many Mexicans have black euro Indio and even Asian blood…..Lola is a very Mexican name from back when, the Anglo version of pronouncing it is how it’s said in this video (Low-la) , I guarantee you in her family it was pronounced as Mexicans do,,, also many Mexican American Lola’s used that name….the nickname Lola derives from Dolores which means pain… I have a mixed aunt Lola on govt docs who was actually Dolores before she married white and became Lola O’Brian …..just some food for thought as someone who’s been down this family realization of hidden identities decades ago……had it not been for oral history my black side of the family would have thought they were black and Indian as people assumed and they could easily have passed for …when in fact we are black and Mexican (Indios with euro /white from the Mexican side) ….we are from Texas and them Spanish missions did NOTHING for our mestizo and Indian people….be clear on that! As for checking a box, why care and complicate it? If need be I write in what I am, The Mexican side is Mestizo(which means Indian/euro) the black is black (AA) … I get why you identify as white because that’s all you’ve known….but it’s ok to accept your Mexican and black roots too………..never too late to learn the culture….it’s not like you’re going to pull a Hilaria Baldwin or Rachel Dolezal 😂😂😂😂❤

[@nytn]

@@catmejia6109 It is never too late! I am just starting. I cant wait to delve into the Mexican side-- we truly know NOTHING about it. LOL at Hilaria and Rachel

[@tndyamond2]

Is your father a person of color? It is so obvious to me looking at you that you have mixed heritage. They also say you can notice your own kind in others that is why when people were passing they wouldnt want to be around black people. Did you always look at yourself as a white woman with olive skin or could you see there was more to your ancestry. I totally understand you wanting to identify as a white woman but to me you are a mixed race person. Thank you for sharing your story. I live in Clarksville TN and come to Nashville often. I use to judge people that passed becuase how can you deny your family and who you are but now I can totally understand why someone would do that. It is literally life or death for them. A world of different opportunites. Again, thank you for sharing your story.

[@nytn]

Thank you for taking the time to comment!! My dad is Italian--he tested a long time ago and was pretty much 100%. I know the numbers change over time and can't be trusted---but he doesn't have mixed heritage like this AFAIK. I feel so proud that you can tell I am mixed. I want to be more comfortable identifying with that heritage, but I do consider people who truly grew up in non-white communities and how different those experiences are from mine. Let me know next time you come through Nashville maybe we can grab a coffee! :)

[@countingsheep2218]

@@nytn It's nice of you to be considerate, but the "Black" experience is different for everyone. I'm mixed (black and white) and grew up White. Today I identify as Black. Don't close yourself off from truly finding your roots and who you are because you are scared. It sounds like with all the secrets between your grandmother and great grandmother, Black has been equated with shame in your family. You dug all this up for a reason. To simply accept you are White because that is how you were raised and that is your experience, to me perpetuates the shame even if not the intent. The hesitancy you experience when you "check a box" is the guilt you feel because you aren't just white. You had no say in how you were brought up or your experience, but you have a say now.

[@nytn]

@@countingsheep2218 Thank you for this comment. I actually am SO relieved to have found proof of my African and Native Mexican lineage because my entire life I was asked questions about "what" I was ( Im a person, thanks). But now I am older, with kids and changing ethnicities on a dime feels...well...uncharted. Im going to do a video on this next. Thank you for that thoughtful contribution.

[@indianajones443]

​@@countingsheep2218 You're not black you're mixed. The same way mixed ppl can't claim white

[@indianajones443]

​@@nytn if it makes you feel better to claim mixed go ahead. But why would changing ethnicities even be mentioned? Most black ppl already know we have white ancestry, we don't get to running around calling ourselves white or mixed and we understand we have no choice but to check that same old black box.

[@cynthiaseavers1444]

This was GREAT. Similar experience to mine. We had "family sharing day" in grade school (about 60 years ago). There were "secret" things. Never got any straight answers. So what would I share? There was always some kind of trauma/drama/etcetera happening.

[@nytn]

Im so glad you liked it! This is a journey for sure

[@karlajames9115]

What amazing stories. I did DNA test a couple of years ago because my grandma always told us that we were part Native American. She even had stories. So I decided to DNA test. I was so upset when I got the results. I was hoping for some spice in my DNA. Nope 100% European. Unbelievable. Still bummed out😂.

[@nytn]

Karla--I remember taking the test really wanting to be some random European country I was into at the time and it obviously didnt show up! LOL!

[@Mcgturtle3]

A lot of people believe they’re Native American for some odd reason

[@nytn]

@@Mcgturtle3 I keep hearing that, I wonder why.! I dont know our tribal ties, just that the maternal line is indigenous Mexican/Southern Texas. Ancestry was pretty vague.

[@karlajames9115]

It may have not shown up, but you got such a rich history!! Oh how I wished for something other than European. I even had my mom to test because I thought my DNA might have been too diluted. Nope she was all European as well!!!

[@dinkster1729]

@@Mcgturtle3 Prejudice in my mother's case. She was from a middle class family from out west. My father was from a very poor family from northern New Brunswick. She decided that the folk ways of the Maritimers were more typical of the natives as she pictured them.

[@darleneparker6111]

I choose the box that states "prefer not to answer".

[@6689wonderfullyblessed]

I can understand why someone would pass.I have always wondered what people passing would do when people made racist comments. Did they join in or pretend like nothing was said? A lot of people passed.

[@nytn]

I wonder that as well, Rose. I wish I knew more than I did about our family experience