My great-grandmother hid her race. Two decades later I understand why.

[vlyons]

7. Race is a cultural concept, not biological

We are all human beings, homo sapiens. Whether you are a blond, blue-eyed Swede, or a Native indigenous person, we are all human beings. People have been traveling around this old globe for 100K+ years. interbreeding with people our ancestors met along the way. Some of us even have Neanderthal or Denisovan genes. Our DNA is about 97% the same as chimps, although not close enough to produce viable progeny. Thinking that blacks, Asians, etc are less than; not as smart, as good, as capable, etc is a cultural view. Not demonstrated by science.

When I was a little girl, my grandmother had photos of these old black people on her dresser. She told me, "that's your cousin xxxx." My parents (white racists) told me "No those are freed slaves, adopted after the civil war."

So more power to your ancestor, who figured out quickly how to make life a lot easier in NY.