Interesting comments to say the least, at a time when many Democrats are calling for transparency and the way Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have embraced their bi-racial back grounds it could not be better timing for New Orleans. The question many black voters in New Orleans are wondering, will Mitch Landrieu shed away old family secrets and reveal his African ancestry? Will he have a study done to find his 100% African ancestor?
Some in New Orleans feel that blacks have set the bar too high for Mitch Landrieu. They feel that the moral fiber required to meet this demand is not in the Landrieu make up and would cost a great price politically at the hands of conservative white voters. Time will tell whether Barack Obama's grand vision of transparency can make its way down to the Old South.
Meanwhile and old long gone African ancestor of Mitch Landrieu might be watching and waiting for his distant relative to set him free. As he waits locked inside a family secret that may decide the political destiny of the Landrieu clan.
Article comments
1 - Glenn Contrarian
Clifford -
I really enjoyed your article! The others on BC will remember my personal story, but let me tell it to you, too. I'm a middle-aged white male, retired Navy, strong Christian, raised in the Mississippi Delta - and if you know NOLA, then you probably know about the Delta. Sen. James Eastland - the most powerful racist in the country for a generation - was a family acquaintance. My grandmother worked for him and he offered to get me into the Naval Academy (which I declined).
All those factors normally lead my being a Strom Thurmond clone...but I'm a proud liberal, and thus my nom du guerre 'Contrarian'. If you like reading about journeys out of racism, please read my articles here and here.
Anyway, your story reminded me of a small family scandal. My mother was always big into genealogy. One day she told my grandmother that she had found out that one of our ancestors was a Union spy in Vicksburg during the siege the Civil War...and that spy happened to be black. My grandmother didn't speak to her for three days.
I live close to Seattle now, and it is normal - normal! - to see biracial couples here now. I cannot help but compare this to the Delta, where even in my latest visit there this last August, in all my years there I've never, ever seen a biracial couple...despite the fact that the ratio there is closer to 50-50 than anywhere else I know of.
I love the land, the weather of the Delta...but being part of a biracial family myself (I married an Asian, and our Foster kids have been Asian, Hispanic, black, white, and Native American), I cannot abide the racism there of my fellow whites. It sometimes breaks my heart that they cannot see beyond their own skin there...but I can't change them.
That's why I live near Seattle - no one bats an eye here. And as for Mississippi? I tell anyone who'll listen that it's a wonderful place to stay away from...and I tell them why.
Again - great article, Clifford!
2 - Clifford Bryan
Thanks for sharing Glenn
3 - Zedd
Just plain juicy! Yes and interesting.
It's amazing how the stigma of Blackness is wiping away almost at a startling pace. However, what is more delightful is how the shame is also fading.
4 - Zedd
Okay, I googled the pictures... awkward.... I wonder if they (the Landrieus) know the truth.
5 - Clifford Bryan
Zedd You are hillarious, cheers, to the future!
6 - creolelady08
My GOD....Please stop all of this! Now the Landrieus are hiding their black history. Get a grip! I shook my tree, and a lot of stuff fell out..but it did not change who I am. What does it matter anyway? So what if my Great, great, great, grandfather, a Fenchmen, lived with my great, great, great, grandmother, a woman of color. That's not only my story, but the story of many families who call New Orleans home. I am proud of my family's history, and I'm sure Mr. Landrieu is proud of his as well. The only thing that should matter is, "the best man/women for the job." And the next time you want to write something about my city's history, do some research,and leave the Creoles out of it!!!!!!!!!!!! Pissed off..Creolelady08
7 - Clifford Bryan
Do some research? Not so I follow you there young lady.
8 - Clifford Bryan
@creolelady08 I think you need to do some research on American history. Stop living in a bubble.
9 - Zedd
"What does it matter anyway?"
That's what Black people have been saying for generations but apparently it does - in these united states. Wait, you don't know that?
The reason that people HID or passed IS because it matters. Are we on the same page now?
10 - Zedd
Cliff,
I don't think anyone lives in a bubble. It's selective amnesia. The question then becomes, what does one gain from pretending as if what is glaringly apparent does not exist.
11 - Clifford Bryan
You hit it on the head Zedd. I would think transparency and bringing everything to light would be better. Old wounds take a long time to heal but you have to start someplace.
12 - Susan
It is very obvious to me that Mary has black ancestry. The straightening and blonde coloring along with a certain coarseness to her hair (however slight) and her facial features are dead give aways. When you have a family full of on-the-cusp looking relatives, you develop an eye. lol
13 - Dawn
Ridiculous. This page is so silly. Both the accusations and the anger.
I'm the genealogy fanatic in my family. We have many different ancestral origins in our history that make up who we are today.
My hair is just like Mary Landrieu's. I threw Mardi Gras beads standing next to her more than once. Mary and Mitch look like their momma and daddy.
My body shape is similar to the typical black woman.
I've always had thick lips.
There's no black in my bloodline.
Rumors are rumors. BS is BS. If they have it, good for them. It's none of your business and it only matters to people like you. You're just trying to make something out of nothing. BFD.