One of the first legal efforts to classify race came in a Virginia law in 1787 which claimed that any person having one-fourth black blood, or having any grandparent who was black, was themselves black. It eventually came to be that any person known to have any trace of black blood no matter how small was defined as black. Mulattoes in the 19^th century faced many struggles as they were neither black nor white. Those with light enough features struggled to blend in with the white people. We have seen this in both novels we have read so far this quarter.

Bernard in Imperium in Imperio was able to be successful despite his black blood. He also did not have to hide his black side but rather embraced it. He found success in school and later had a very rewarding career. As the novel progressed he came to shun his Anglo Saxon heritage in favor of his African American roots.

                In Of One Blood Reuel Briggs is described of having, “an abundance of black hair, straight and closely cut, thick and smooth; the nose was the aristocratic feature, although nearly spoiled by broad nostrils… his skin was white, but of a tint suggesting olive.”(pg.3)This description is the first glimpse we get that Briggs may have black ancestry. Like Bernard, Briggs is receiving an excellent education from a highly esteemed Northern University but that is where their similarities end. While Bernard embraces his black roots and comes to shun his white roots, Briggs spends much of the novel not acknowledging his black heritage. His features are so light hat he is able to walk among the wealthy and talented white elite and to do so as an equal. Only Livingstone seems to know the truth of Briggs’ heritage.

                What really struck me about Briggs’ situation is that when he fell in love with Dianthe, race became a problem. While she also was able to blend in with the whites without raising suspicion about her black roots, it was brought to Briggs’ attention that should he marry her and her heritage become known, his own career and reputation would be ruined. I found it amazing that a black man had been able to embed himself into society so well that his world could be turned upside down by being involved with a black person. It is really incredible. In class we talked about how much the mulatto’s struggles with making it in society and I enjoyed reading about a man who had gained true respect from his white counterparts.

                Of One Blood takes an interesting approach to the situation of the mulattoes during this time.

1.       What is the significance of the power that the spiritual has for reminding Dianthe of her past? Why is it that particular spiritual over all of the music she hears day in and day out?

2.       When the leopard attacks Briggs, Jim the black man is fast asleep while “Adonis” shows up just in time rifle in hand to save Briggs. After reading Belton’s speech regarding  Africans sleeping in the jungles while white men were progressing and coming up with new technologies, how do you interpret this scene and its relevance to Briggs’ dynamics amongst those around him?