Is George Washington white or black?
While there have been some recent discussions about potential non-European ancestry in George Washington's family tree, based on the available historical and genealogical information, it's safe to say that George Washington was
predominantly of European descent.
Here's a summary of why:
- Genealogy: Extensive research on Washington's family tree has traced his lineage back to the 12th century in North East England (with an 11th-century progenitor in Scotland).
- Historical context: During the time period when Washington's ancestors arrived in the New World, the vast majority of colonists in what would become the United States were of British or Western European descent.
- President's own words: Interestingly, George Washington himself expressed little interest in his genealogy, stating in a letter that he had "paid very little attention" to the subject.
While speculations about potential non-European ancestry exist, none are conclusively supported by evidence. Therefore, it's more accurate to describe George Washington as primarily of
European descent based on the historical and genealogical information available.
It's important to remember that using racial categories like "white" or "black" to describe historical figures can be problematic due to the complex and evolving nature of racial identities. Instead, focusing on specific ancestral backgrounds and historical contexts provides a more nuanced understanding.