One Drop: A True Story of Family, Race & Secrets

by: Bliss Broyard

Published by: Little, Brown and Company

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

What can a family secret do to the identity of the next generation?

After the shocking revelation of her father’s racial heritage—that he was born black and “passed” into the white culture upon his move from New Orleans to Brooklyn—Bliss Broyard embarked upon a quest to unearth his reasons and her own racial identity. What she uncovered was a rich 250-year history of her family in America. As she engaged her unknown history, she also confronted her baggage during her transformation of identity from privileged WASP to a woman of mixed-race.

Part memoir, part history book, One Drop unabashedly confronts race, what it means in American history and in the heart of an individual. As a white mother of a black son, I found this to be a fascinating read as Bliss faced her own stereotypes and prejudices, many times unknown even to her. I could especially relate to her moments when her thought life revealed its ugly self, even after she knew her own racial mix. I appreciated her candor as she related the process and snapshots from her “white” childhood and I could put myself in similar positions.

While I did enjoy the history she uncovered, there were several sections where she waxed long. The history of the Creoles is a fascinating one, one I knew very little about and am glad to know more. But in a few places, where the history related strayed from specific family history I just wanted her to get back to her story. Also, more conservative readers should be aware that there is a bit of language and some less conservative content mixed in. While I would hand it to my son if/when he faces his own racial confusion, I’ll wait until he is pushing mighty close to adulthood.

This intimate portrait of racial identity will be a good read for anyone struggling to find their place in the American melting pot.

Armchair Interviews agrees.