Portion of my July 2024 DNA Map

However, you won’t see me claim I’m African-American

Or a Black person… though I’d be thrilled and honored to make these claims. My Senegal, Ivory Coast/Ghana and Nigeria DNA together beat Elizabeth Warren’s Native-American DNA 3 times over, but I don’t know my African ancestor(s). I haven’t lived a life with any of their experiences. I can’t own this.

It is cool though!

I estimate 5 generations ago on my mother’s paternal side of the family, that I have a non-mixed African ancestor and I hope someday I discover their confirmed genealogy. Here’s what I’m thinking:

Me	~3% African DNA
My mother	~6% African DNA
My grandfather	~12% African DNA
Great-grandparent	~25% African DNA
Great-great-grandparent	~50% African DNA
Great-great-great-grandparent	~100% African DNA

My curiosity runs wild and that would be a super exciting day, but I still won’t be able to own it. If I ever know the details, there is likely to be some sorrow too. As we know there wasn’t a lot of voluntary migration from Africa, or Black and white child bearing in those days…

DNA does not equal culture or identity

An ally is the most I’ll ever be. Which is still a great thing to be.

Thanks!
-Yehuda