Just finished reading this interesting book by Bliss Broyard (2007). As I am also one of those who has always found my own family history interesting, Bliss's book "One Drop" was a joy to read. Although, as with any book of its size (514 pgs.), there was some edge-of-boredom moments when the author went from introducing her father to documenting New Orleans and the south's racial history. It seemed the book abruptly shifted from a family history story to an American history lesson, in a good way.
In time I was able to adjust my perspective, stick with it through the many family introductions and gobble up the history Bliss uncovers. I'd heard of but never read such a detailed breakdown of "Quadroon Balls." And I had never heard of the law banning women of color from appearing in public with their hair uncovered (Tignon Laws 1786).
"Women of color turned this oppressive law into a form of resistance, styling their required headwraps with bright fabrics, jewels and feathers, turning them into a fashion statement."
The history shared in "One Drop" is definitely educational on many levels.
I learned much about Creole and Louisiana culture of the past. And I was surprised to find included in this book the history of Creoles who'd migrated from the Santo Domingo/ Haitian revolution (1791-1804). Who knew that blacks/mulattos migrated to Louisiana during that violent time when Haiti fought for independence from Napolean's France. Actually, not surprising after thinking about it. The Louisiana Purchase came about partly from France's financial need for preparations of war with England.
What "One Drop" does is give an honest telling of what it meant for this white woman descended from mixed race peoples (Creole) to discover and connect with the family her Passing for white father broke ties with in order to gain advantage in his writing career. The author was not told of her father's secret until after his death.
Not only does the author question why her father made the choices he made, but she also found herself questioning how she felt about her newly discovered mixed blood and relatives who identified as black. Her book is a good mixture of tracing one's roots, uncovering a father's secret, family relationships and race in America, past and present.
For those of us who find an interest in any or all of the themes appearing in "One Drop," this story of a daughter diving into the family secret and finding her place in a racially conscious America is exciting.
I must say I read this over a period of about a month and a half. It went with me on vacation. It is a big book to lug around but held my interest enough to adjust to its size and weight and begin just picking it up as I went out on excursions, driving or walking.
What I liked most about "One Drop" is the honest view the author gives of her father from those she met with after his death, including newly discovered family. And I suppose in learning about who her father was outside their immediate family shed light on parts of herself she was still discovering. After all, we all carry some traits of our parents' talents and faults. And I believe Anatole Broyard would be proud of his daughter Bliss Broyard reconnecting with the family he chose to push aside.
I have read of blacks who Passed, both in real life and in fiction (Passing by Nella Larsen), but never have I read it told by the child of one who Passed and wasn't let in on the secret until after the Passing parent's death. Many times, while reading "One Drop," a reader must try to imagine what it must have felt like for the father who was Passing, as well as the daughter discovering part of her identity and having feelings of acceptance or rejection from the creole family abandoned by her father.
Also, I found it very interesting when the author came across other creole family members who'd chosen to either Pass or not acknowledge their black heritage. It was pleasing to see the author embrace her black heritage without prejudice while at the same time remaining true to her white upbringing. In my personal opinion, Americans today have many drops of different blood running through their veins. So, we all need to stop hating on peoples based on anything other than character. And then find it in our hearts to ask God for forgiveness.
"You must not harbor hatred for your brother in your heart" Leviticus 19:17
All in all, I enjoyed traveling with "One Drop." The author is a gifted writer with a clear voice.
I find it hard to rate this book because it's not a fictional story nor a novel, but a true story well researched and documented. It is a biographic of an American creole family and a daughter who was raised white before finding out about her mixed blood creole family, past and present. On this the book more than delivered for me. I connected with it and any wavering of interest was likely my own fault. I spent two weeks with the worst almost flu-like cold (no fever) while reading this book. And the one-week vacation saw me enjoying the place and company of friends more so than reading.
I hope to write a letter of thanks and appreciation to Bliss Broyard for sharing her family's story. And I must reward her for having the courage to take on a subject as taboo, and at one time illegal, as white/black comingling relationships.
The writing definitely gets 5 stars
The story, though drawn out, gets 4 stars
The historical research and references get 5 stars
The author connected all the parts and pieces, presenting them in an easily readable way.
from "One Drop" Afterword:
It's generally agreed among population scientists that, according to our DNA, human beings originated in East Africa. What we recognizes racial differences - skin color, hair texture, facial features, and body types - are mostly the result of adaption to new climates as we migrated across the globe. For people living closer to the equator, darker skin helped to protect against potentially deadly exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Alternatively, the farther north humans wandered, the lighter their skin became, to aid the development of essential vitamin D, which required absorbing adequate ultraviolet radiation. Curly or frizzy hair was better suited for hotter climates, since it trapped sweat near the scalp, prolonging the body's natural cooling process. pg.468/9
