'This is not surprising': Internet mocks LeVar Burton as he as he discovers he has part-White ancestry
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: LeVar Burton has finally found his roots, something that has shocked him to the bones.
Recently, in a shocking revelation, the ‘Star Trek’ actor came to know about his bloodline and that he is part-white, per TMZ.
What is LeVar Burton’s ancestry?
The ‘Reading Rainbow’ actor recently participated in an episode of PBS’s ‘Finding Your Roots’, where he learned that he is part-white and his white ancestor was part of the Confederacy.
As Burton participated in the unique show, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. unveiled Burton’s family tree dating back several centuries. Pointing toward a white man from the 1800s, named James Henry Dixon, Gates said that through him, Burton is part-white.
The actual story of his ancestry was also unveiled. Burton’s great-grandmother on his maternal side, Mary Sills listed a Black man named Louis Sills as her father.
But the reality is different as DNA tests showed he was fathered by the Caucasian farmer - James Henry Dixon - from the South.
The history of James Henry Dixon is equally interesting as he was a part of the Confederate Army as a teen, making him a defender of slavery. It was also recorded that Dixon fathered children with an unnamed Black woman born into slavery.
As Burton came to know about his ancestry, the 66-year-old American television host and actor admitted to having conflicted feelings in his mind.
He said, "There’s some conflict roiling inside of me right now. But oddly enough, I feel a pathway opening up."
Burton continued, "Knowing what I know about the history of this nation, I’ve wanted, especially in this current time frame, I believe that as Americans we need to have this conversation about who we are and how we got here."
The actor further added that he was recently looking for an “entry point” to talk to white America, noting, “here it is.”
'It doesn’t shock me'
LeVar Burton, though, was surprised by his discovery, his fans were not much in shock. A section of fans even shared their own experience of finding out their ancestry.
One of the fans quipped on Facebook, "He hasn't been the same since Star Wars 😂." Another fan, nevertheless, said in an understanding manner, "I'm sure a lot of that went on back in the day."
"If black people knew America's history, then how can we be shocked at this information? Most of us aren't 100 percent African anymore," remarked someone else.
Another fan observed, "What black person in the US isn't lol. Surprised he had that to announce, ain't heard from in forever."
A social media user remarked flatly, "This is not surprising."
"Laughing at LeVar's initial reaction. We might all be surprised by discoveries in our family trees," said another netizen.
A Southern fan said, "I live in the south. It doesn’t shock me."
Another fan asked though, "Does he have to pay himself reparations?"
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
