"Not White, Not Black, Both Colored"

Re-post NamSouth 2007

I remember in my mother's latter years, she was helped by a lovely lady that may have reminded her of her own mammy, Aunt Emily Johnson, who was her wet nurse beginning in 1907.

Once my mother and this sweet lady were discussing the rampant debates concerning race terminology such as African-American, black, Caucasian, colored, white ad infinitum.

My mother stated she thought this was all just silliness when her friend and companion held her arm next to my mothers and stated: "Miss Ellen D, you're not white and I'm not black, we're both colored."

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My sister Anne to the rescue.

"Are you speaking of Annie Mae Johnson ? She always called mother, Miss Ellen D. Annie Mae died last year. She was truly a lady."