Amy, my understanding is that Alphonso Cannon was Cuban American, and had more DNA from Africa than Europe.
Mom-Mom wasn't religious and any Jewish rites she may have experienced as a young child were let go when at the age of 9 she was put into the Christian institution. And what must have been a halfhearted adoption of Christian holiday celebrations in that institution, she passed on to us children; the feeling of Christmas with half a heart.
I love this! Well written, honest, and entertaining. I dig “Christmahannukah.” Excellent. And you bring up a valid point which has been whitewashed/denied/purposefully forgotten: Thinking of so many who came to America in the 18/19/20th century as simply ‘white’ and therefore ‘privileged’ is, at best, profoundly reductive and absurd. Like you pointed out: The Jews were fleeing Russian and Eastern European pogroms. The Irish were fleeing the potato famine/persecution by the English. Many were fleeing the brutality of the church, like, say, our founding puritan settlers. Up until very recent history, Italians, Jews, Irish, Scottish, etc we’re all seen and acted towards differently. That’s important to remember. The instantiation of all these sects/ethic groups into White People is, in my view, far, far too oversimplified, and denies the history of many families.
Merry Christmahannukah to you! Have a great holiday.
Amy, my understanding is that Alphonso Cannon was Cuban American, and had more DNA from Africa than Europe.
Mom-Mom wasn't religious and any Jewish rites she may have experienced as a young child were let go when at the age of 9 she was put into the Christian institution. And what must have been a halfhearted adoption of Christian holiday celebrations in that institution, she passed on to us children; the feeling of Christmas with half a heart.
I love this! Well written, honest, and entertaining. I dig “Christmahannukah.” Excellent. And you bring up a valid point which has been whitewashed/denied/purposefully forgotten: Thinking of so many who came to America in the 18/19/20th century as simply ‘white’ and therefore ‘privileged’ is, at best, profoundly reductive and absurd. Like you pointed out: The Jews were fleeing Russian and Eastern European pogroms. The Irish were fleeing the potato famine/persecution by the English. Many were fleeing the brutality of the church, like, say, our founding puritan settlers. Up until very recent history, Italians, Jews, Irish, Scottish, etc we’re all seen and acted towards differently. That’s important to remember. The instantiation of all these sects/ethic groups into White People is, in my view, far, far too oversimplified, and denies the history of many families.
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
https://www.wetheblacksheep.com/p/the-forgotten-american-masterpiece
Thanks for this — this is really intriguing! I’ll need to read the whole play! :)