Deron Harris

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.