In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of DNA testing, particularly focusing on its significance for African Americans, who often lack knowledge about their ancestral origins.
The ongoing marginalization of blackness in America is frustrating. And there IS desire among many to trace their roots back to Africa. This is my journey of taking a DNA test with African Ancestry, a black-owned company that claims to trace lineage back to specific tribes. I recount the excitement I felt while contemplating my ancestry and the motivation behind my decision to take the test, particularly for my father's sake.
However, when I received the results, I was shocked to find that my paternal ancestry linked me to Spain and Portugal, with no African male matches in my DNA sequence. This revelation led me to question the accuracy and methodology of the African Ancestry test, which I discovered was based on a low-resolution analysis of only eight genetic markers. We discuss the limitations of this test and the importance of seeking out more comprehensive DNA testing options.
Join me as I navigate this intricate topic, sharing insights and personal experiences that resonate with many in the African-American community.
Thank you as always for listening to The Deron Harris Podcast Season #3 EP #157 - I TOOK A DNA TEST THAT SAYS I'M SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE BUT...BUT MY MIRROR WAS LIKE "N!**A PLEASE" - How Database Gaps, Scientific Bias, and Lo-Resolution Tests Can Distort Our Origin Stories.
April 11th, 2025, 05:00 pm
Deron Harris Podcast
I TOOK A DNA TEST THAT SAYS I'M SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE BUT...BUT MY MIRROR WAS LIKE "N!**A PLEASE" - How Database Gaps, Scientific Bias, and Lo-Resolution Tests Can Distort Our Origin Stories.
00:00
1h 8m
Published April 11th, 2025, 05:00 pm
Description
In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of DNA testing, particularly focusing on its significance for African Americans, who often lack knowledge about their ancestral origins.
The ongoing marginalization of blackness in America is frustrating. And there IS desire among many to trace their roots back to Africa. This is my journey of taking a DNA test with African Ancestry, a black-owned company that claims to trace lineage back to specific tribes. I recount the excitement I felt while contemplating my ancestry and the motivation behind my decision to take the test, particularly for my father's sake.
However, when I received the results, I was shocked to find that my paternal ancestry linked me to Spain and Portugal, with no African male matches in my DNA sequence. This revelation led me to question the accuracy and methodology of the African Ancestry test, which I discovered was based on a low-resolution analysis of only eight genetic markers. We discuss the limitations of this test and the importance of seeking out more comprehensive DNA testing options.
Join me as I navigate this intricate topic, sharing insights and personal experiences that resonate with many in the African-American community.
Thank you as always for listening to The Deron Harris Podcast Season #3 EP #157 - I TOOK A DNA TEST THAT SAYS I'M SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE BUT...BUT MY MIRROR WAS LIKE "N!**A PLEASE" - How Database Gaps, Scientific Bias, and Lo-Resolution Tests Can Distort Our Origin Stories.
Share
Deron Harris Podcast
The Deron Harris Podcast is where raw honesty, sharp humor, and creative hustle meet. Hosted by Deron Harris, stand-up comic, music producer, and relentless content creator. Broadcasting from his RV, Deron's goes far beyond punchlines, delivers unfiltered takes on race, politics, pop culture, and the realities of being Black in America, with real laughs, and unfiltered moments.
Each episode is a wild ride: one week it’s a deep dive into the legacy of slavery and Deron’s own DNA revelations, the next it’s a no-holds-barred breakdown of the latest political controversy or a celebration of Black excellence in music and business. Expect controversial conversations, bold advocacy for people of color, and a willingness to tackle topics most shy away from, whether it’s the impact of Project 2025, the state of Black-owned businesses, or the blurred lines between truth and fiction in American culture.
But it’s not all heavy. Tune in for plenty of laughs with Deron’s family and friends. Whether he’s calling out hypocrisy, making beats, or just riffing on the weirdness of social media, Deron keeps it real, keeps it creative, and keeps it moving.
