45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A worthwhile book, November 5, 2001
This review is from: The Melungeions: The Resurrection of a Proud People (Paperback)
This book, and the theories included, is being
proved by growing archival evidence and, just as
importantly, new DNA research. The Melungeons do not
deny their multi-racial composition and, in fact,
have all races represented on their leadership Board
(MHA). But in addition to English, African, and
Native American, their long-standing claims of
Portuguese, Turkish, East Indian, and Jewish heritage
are finally being proved. As but one example, England
was clearly ridding itself of Ottomans, Gypsies and Jews
by sending them to America as indentured "English" settlers
and servants in the 1600s. It's unfortunate that
some people cannot grasp the reality that all humans
are a wide composite of many races and that to insist
on a simple three race component (tri-racial)
and to ridicule long-standing oral traditions on
origins - is both closed minded and indicative of a
lack of understanding of world population migrations.
Kennedy occasionally goes out on limbs that most scholars
would not, but more often than not he has been right.
His work teaches us that,in essence, no one is who they
think they are and this, I believe, is the first step
toward ending racism. I highly recommend his book
for those who genuinely seek truth and have no
political ax to grind. I applaud the fresh ground that
he has plowed.
Sami Ferliel, Ph.D.
Retired Faculty
Yuzuncu Yil University
Van, Turkey
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30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A New American Ethnic Group, November 30, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Melungeions: The Resurrection of a Proud People (Paperback)
This is a fascinating look at a relatively unknown ethnic group that first hit the American shores in the 1500s, settling eventually in Appalachia, and taking on new ethnic strands through the centuries. Influences in the Melungeon ethnic make-up include possible Moorish, Iberian, Turkish, Anglo-Irish, American Indian, and others, resulting in an ethnic group that is just now becoming fully conscious of its roots. In addition to the human interest of the book, I found it fascinating from historical, cultural, and spiritual perspectives- I was reminded that we are all pretty mixed up from an ethnic perspective and yet we all come from the same Source. Mr. Kennedy, who is Melungeon, has done his own people a great service with this book, but also a great service for all Americans, who can learn a little more about their history, including the not-so-pleasant side. Highly recommended for anyone interested in U.S. history, the history of ethnic groups in America, the culture of Appalachia, or the history of a very interesting people, the Melungeons.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating look at a fascinating people, January 13, 2000
This review is from: The Melungeions: The Resurrection of a Proud People (Paperback)
The traditional picture of the peoples of early America, white, black, and red, is an inaccurate one. This country is dotted with hundreds of peoples who may be closer to one or the other of the above three categories, but who don't really fit in any of them. These include the Ramapo Mountain People of New York and New Jersey, the Brass Ankles of South Carolina, the Redbones of Louisiana and numerous other groups, some of whom are completely unknown outside of their regions.
The most celebrated of these peoples are the Melungeons of western Virgina, eastern Kentucky, and eastern Tennessee and this book is an attempt to write their history. I say "attempt" because until fairly recently, one did not describe oneself as a Melungeon or a Brass Ankle; these were perjorative terms used by outsiders and were strenously and sometimes violently objected to. Consequently, America is filled with people whose families moved around a lot, whose genealogies are muddled if they have one at all and whose family stories are non-existent. People like me(I've pretty much decided that I'm a member of one of these groups, although I have no definite idea which one).
According to Dr. Kennedy, the Melungeons may be the descendents of shipwrecked Spaniards, with Portuguese and even Turkish elements, who intermarried with Indians, escaped slaves and poorer whites. Indeed, when they were first encountered, they called themselves Portuguese even though they spoke English. As might be expected, documentation is sparse. Dr. Kennedy, a Melungeon, makes excellent use of his own family's history and genealogy. Some of his conclusions don't, it seems to me, seem completely warranted by what facts there are. But, all in all, this is fascinating book and an excellent beginning to in-depth research on these peoples. One can only hope that members of other such groups will follow Dr. Kennedy's lead. In the meantime, I cannot recommend this book too highly.
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