interventions: Cherry Pink and Blossom White
New York, New York 2024
The Melungeons are a people whose origins have long been the subject of speculation and folklore. Centered primarily in the Appalachian regions of eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, and southeastern Kentucky, the Melungeons have been a part of the cultural landscape since at least the early 1800s, though their history likely stretches back much further. For centuries, the Melungeons were viewed as an enigma. They were a tri-racial, multi-ethnic group whose ancestry included European, African, and Native American bloodlines. Many Melungeons had dark skin, straight black hair, and distinctive features that set them apart from the white settlers in the area. They lived in remote, isolated communities, often blending elements of their diverse heritage. They were possibly descendants of Portuguese or Spanish explorers, but others believed they had connections to Turkish, Jewish, or Moorish sailors who had been shipwrecked on the American coast centuries earlier. Others thought they might be the descendants of the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke or that they were remnants of an ancient group of people who lived in North America long before European settlers arrived. Because of their mixed-race heritage, they often faced discrimination and were marginalized by both white and Black communities. Many Melungeons were labeled "free people of color" on census records, which limited their rights and social status in the pre-Civil War South. Some were even forced to deny their heritage, claiming to be of solely European descent in order to avoid persecution. Ultimately, DNA testing and genealogical research have shed more light on the Melungeons' origins, confirming their tri-racial ancestry which indicated that they trace back to early European settlers, enslaved Africans, and Native American tribes who intermarried and formed isolated communities in the Appalachia. The Melungeons are a testament to the complexity of Appalachian history and the diverse mix of peoples who have called these mountains home for centuries. Their story suggests a resilience of thbose who live on the margins of society and the rich, layered history that exists in the mountains of Appalachia. The Melungeons remain a vital part of the region's identity, having shaped Appalachia’s past.
acrylic, ink, sewing braid on watercolor paper (30 X 20 inches)
