Probably one of the most memorable moments in television history is the scene from the mini-series, Roots, by Alex Haley, where African slave, Kunte Kinte, fights vehemently to hold on to his name, heritage, and African identity against tremendous odds. When Haley’s book was published in 1976 genealogical research with this level of detail was nearly impossible for most mode African-American families, due primarily to the fact that the institution of slavery had effectively erased the names and identities of their African ancestors, making it extremely difficult to connect with the past.

In recent years, however, the advent of DNA testing has opened a new door for African-Americans seeking to research their family trees. A simple internet search easily reveals dozens of DNA tracing companies, many that involve little more than mailing in a DNA sample obtained by swabbing the inside of the mouth. Costs for the kits and the analysis begin at around $99.00.

So, why is the DNA testing phenomenon gaining such ground with African-Americans? Why is it important for African-Americans to connect with their ethnic backgrounds? First, I do not believe that the need to “know where we came from” is unique to African-Americans. While it may not be possible to accurately account for all of the amateur genealogists worldwide, if the number of web-based genealogical and software packages available are any indication, people of all ethnic backgrounds are keenly interested in discovering the intricate details of their family trees. At the most basic level developing an understanding of one’s family history can be fascinating. But, even more importantly it can help individuals feel more connected to historical events and may help each of us make some sense of why we are the way we are. This increased self-awareness may also help some of us in determining our purpose and path for the future.

For African-Americans, however, the ability to connect with the past is even more important. Much like adoptees, who often describe the lack of knowledge about their biological families as the “missing link” in their own self-perceptions, I believe that many African-Americans have experienced a very real sense of loss as a result of having been cut off from their ancestral homelands and traditions through the institution of slavery.

White slave owners systematically worked to dehumanize Negro slaves and often sold and traded individuals with an absolute disregard for family ties. Even after Emancipation following the end of the Civil War the former slaves suffered even more trauma. Abraham Lincoln is heralded as a hero by white Americans for granting freedom to African-Americans. However, it is important to remember that it was illegal to educate slaves in most southern states and when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation there was no accompanying plan for educating, housing, relocating, or dealing with these individuals in any way.

By the 1860s most Negro slaves had been born and lived their entire lives on plantations under the jurisdictions of their masters. To be simply “turned out” with no skills, no plan and nowhere to go set the stage for a long history of struggle that is still impacting the lives of many inner-city African-Americans living in poverty today. Held as chattel for more than 200 years and then subjected to another 100 years of demoralization under the Jim Crow laws, African-Americans as a group have been subjected to a barrage of criticism and negative stereotypes. While some are able to rise to the challenge and work hard to overcome the negative views of society, others live in constant danger of succumbing to the harmful effects of the unfavorable labels that have been assigned to African-Americans by the larger society.

The ability to connect to the positive aspects of African history therefore takes on even greater importance for modern African-Americans both in terms of acquiring some other frame of reference besides the negative views of blacks perpetuated as a result of slavery and its aftermath. A 2009 article from Futurity.org provides further support as it details a study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University which indicates that higher levels of ethnic pride can play a significant role in reducing depressing and improving overall mental health among African-American adolescents. In addition, an earlier research project conducted by Harris-Britt, Valrie, Kurtz-Costes, and Rowley (2007) demonstrates that African-American youth who possess higher levels of racial pride are less likely to surrender to the “victim mentality” in response to racial discrimination.

Reconnection with African family roots may be a relatively simple but unfortunately overlooked key in assisting modern African-Americans in developing higher levels of ethnic pride and confidence which can then be translated into the ability to finally “let go of past hurts, set attainable goals, and persisting until dreams become reality” (Pryor, 2006).

References

Harris-Britt, A., Valrie, C., Kurtz-Costes, B. & Rowley, S. (2007). Perceived racial discrimination and self-esteem in African-American youth: Racial socialization as a protective factor. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 17(4), p. 669 – 682.

Pryor, A. (2006). Improving Your Self-Esteem. http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/2006/articles.php?id=63