LeVar Burton, known for his role in ‘Reading Rainbow,’ recently made a surprising revelation about his heritage. In a recent episode of PBS’s ‘Finding Your Roots,’ host Henry Louis Gates Jr. uncovered a shocking truth about Burton’s family history.
Key Takeaway
LeVar Burton’s surprising discovery of his part-white ancestry, coupled with a connection to the Confederacy, has sparked a complex mix of emotions and a call for a deeper conversation about American history and identity.
Uncovering the Past
The episode delved into Burton’s family tree, tracing it back several centuries. The investigation revealed that one of Burton’s ancestors, James Henry Dixon, was a white man who fathered children with an unnamed Black woman born into slavery. What’s more, Dixon had served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, aligning himself with the defenders of slavery at that time.
This revelation has left Burton with conflicting emotions. He expressed, “There’s some conflict roiling inside of me right now. But oddly enough, I feel a pathway opening up.” He also emphasized the importance of having a conversation about the history of the nation and the need to address the complexities of American identity.
A New Perspective
Despite the conflicting feelings, Burton sees this discovery as an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with white America. He believes that it presents an “entry point” to discuss the nation’s history and how it has shaped the present. Notably, Burton’s own portrayal of a slave in the film ‘Roots’ adds another layer of significance to this revelation.
