Oprah did it.
Whoopie did it.
Quincy Jones did it.
Spike Lee did it.
Even Chris Tucker did it.
All of these people have had DNA testimg done to find the exact origins of their African ancestors. Thousands of other african americans and adopted people have turned to science for a bit of closure to where they come from.
Here is how it works.
DNA is unique to each person, however there are DNA patterns within us that remain the same within families, ethnic and geographical popluations. You recieve half of these DNA prints from your Father and the other half from your Mother. Genetic genealogy traces those particular DNA.
I did it.
I am sure you were waiting to get to this part. Last week, I mailed my sample off to the genetic testing lab and probably should be getting my results in 4 weeks. I almost didnt go through with it because 29 years of my life I have never known the ethnicity of my father and I have been forced to accept this. I have been told I'm Asian by my adopted mother. Even my adoption papers speculate that I am half something. My maternal mother has shared stories with me of what my father looked like. He spoke very little english...enough to make me though. I have been told by her that he was Vietnamese and then it slips her mind and she really has no idea. But is that really enough? Obviously, if African Americans are getting fed up their lost history, then why should I not wonder too? Should we accept the stories told from generation to generation - "Your great great grandmother was native american...yada yada yada." I recall my grandma telling me about her grandfather, some white man. Aren't my cousins and other family members curious about him? As an African American wouldnt you want to know which language was stolen from you?
What Do I Plan to Do With It?
Knowing your ancestory doesn't change who you are, it only enlightens you and makes you realize how connected we all really are. My hope is, next time someone ask me my ethnicity, I might just be able to give an honest answer.
