Journalist Susan Saulny embarked on a personal journey to uncover her family’s history after learning about Pope Leo’s Black family roots. Her Creole great-uncle, who moved to Chicago and chose to live as a white man, never returned to his roots. Saulny’s exploration highlights the complexities of racial identity and the impact of family decisions on future generations. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding one’s heritage and the diverse paths that family histories can take. This narrative encourages young people to explore their own backgrounds and consider how past choices shape present identities.
QUESTION: How might understanding your family’s history influence your perspective on identity and belonging?
How a single decision made a century ago split a family in half by race
