Say I'm Dead

In "Say I’m Dead," E. Dolores Johnson explores her complex heritage as the biracial daughter of a Black father and a White mother who fled Indiana's anti-miscegenation laws in the 1940s. After her mother's disappearance and the resulting narrative of shame and loss, Johnson confronts her identity against societal norms and educational barriers, ultimately graduating from Harvard. As she navigates the treacherous waters of her family's secrets and societal perceptions, she embarks on a journey to uncover her mother's hidden White lineage, challenging her own views and experiences with race along the way.