The Response
In her opening statement, Gail stated that she had discovered her mother’s birth certificate, but that there was a particular passage that piqued her curiosity. Her mother’s race was noted on the certificate’s part indicating that she was colored. Alvera was visibly apprehensive and didn’t want to answer any questions as the interview began. “I don’t know what kind of birth certificate you have, but mine says I’m white!” she said further. Of course, Gail didn’t trust her answer because she had spent years seeking for the truth and contemplating the implications of her actions. Gail made the decision to ask a different inquiry to her mother.
Truth-Seeking
Gail informed her mother that she had been digging for the truth for quite some time and had learned quite a deal in the process. She went on to say that she had come across a number of other documents as well as this one. Her grandfather was identified as black in the Census Records paper, according to the document. She also requested that her mother refrains from lying about the letters “col,” as she had received an official response from the state stating that they stood for colored. Mother kept her cool and then began to speak for her daughter.
