Warren
G. Harding: US
President 29 (Death
By Blackness)
by:
Marsha Stewart
While
growing up in
the 1950's and
1960's we were
told of our
relationship to
one of the US
presidents. My
niece wrote an
essay for her
senior English
class explaining
the Black
lineage of
Warren G.
Harding. She
explained...."He
could only find
work as a
teacher in a
'Colored School'
in Ohio in
1884--until he
crossed the
color line."
We were much
older when we
realized the
magnitude of
government
investigations
relating to his
candidacy and
office. We
always knew he
was Black--We
were cousins.
This book is a
combination of oral
and historical
references and
creative writing.
While growing up, we
were never allowed
to talk about the
relationship to a US
President outside of
family gatherings
because we were
“Colored” and Warren
was “passing.” It
was like harboring a
fugitive—once found
out meant certain
accusation. The
government would
“silence us the way
they silenced
Harding.”
Warren
G. Harding: US
President 29 (Death
By Blackness)
