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From:
Subject: Re: [Melungeon] Re: Melungeon-D Digest V03 #3
Date: Thu, 2 Jan 2003 16:30:27 EST


Hi Joanne

I guess I miss read or took your comment too literally "...Spanish Peggy and
was said to be the sister of Buck Gibson.  In reality then the Melungeons
were Gibsons"

My thought was that I didn't want folks to think that only Gibsons were
labeled Melungeons.

Re your comment: "Seems to me if anyone wanted to find out who the Melungeons
were they would start searching for the origin of the first people recognized
as Melungeons"
- can you elaborate on what you mean by "recognized"? Normally the giving of
a "racially descriptive name" is generated by a recognized "higher authority"
such as local government, King or Church and usually for tax purposes of
some sort. I have not seen any mention of a governmental or religious
authority involved for the term Melungeon like I have for Cherokee, Hispanic
etc.

But really, wouldn't it be near impossible to locate the origin of any
governmentally declared race (i.e "English", Welsh, Scottish) let alone a
group not defined by such an authority? As I understand the need for group
identifications - they are based on visual cues and social customs (usually
linked to religion i.e. celtics, jews, greeks etc) and not individual
identifications. In other words, how would you find the first person or
people called "Russian?" And even the Jews weren't Jews until God told
Abraham they were - so once again - it took a recognized "higher authority"
to make it so.

Thanks for the opportunity for some great discussion. I hope you understand
my ramblings....and without facial cues I want to be sure you understand that
I am writing this in a spirit of good will and genuine inquisitiveness.
Jodie







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