60 acast.com Before We Were White https://shows.acast.com/before-we-were-white en Brian Halpin history,politics,ethnicity,class Brian Halpin The Hidden History of Heartland America Before We Were White is unapologetic revisionist history at its most unflinching, meticulously researched, and has received praise from well-known authors and professional historians.


Before We Were White tells the real story of heartland America, drawing upon facts and evidence buried deep underneath the “official story”.


Everything from outlaws, river pirates and prairie bandits, to Cherokee midwives and witch trials, fake eugenics, colonial-era Muslims, snake handlers, African-American cowboys, the Lost Colony of Roanoke, Jewish hillbillies, “sporting girls”, Mountain Gypsies and Creole Irish gets a turn under the magnifying lens.


Whether your interest is in history, politics, ethnology, folklore, music, genealogy, or just a cracking good story, you will find something here to astonish and amaze, entertain and educate.


Forget everything you thought you knew about North American history.


Forget everything you thought you understood about the ethnic roots of heartland America.

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]]> Before We Were White is unapologetic revisionist history at its most unflinching, meticulously researched, and has received praise from well-known authors and professional historians.


Before We Were White tells the real story of heartland America, drawing upon facts and evidence buried deep underneath the “official story”.


Everything from outlaws, river pirates and prairie bandits, to Cherokee midwives and witch trials, fake eugenics, colonial-era Muslims, snake handlers, African-American cowboys, the Lost Colony of Roanoke, Jewish hillbillies, “sporting girls”, Mountain Gypsies and Creole Irish gets a turn under the magnifying lens.


Whether your interest is in history, politics, ethnology, folklore, music, genealogy, or just a cracking good story, you will find something here to astonish and amaze, entertain and educate.


Forget everything you thought you knew about North American history.


Forget everything you thought you understood about the ethnic roots of heartland America.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Brian Halpin info+6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39@mg-eu.acast.com 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 before-we-were-white https://feed.podbean.com/beforewewerewhite/feed.xml episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39/1788271014466-2848dda3-3e6b-407a-bd8f-1e5dc84654d2.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/before-we-were-white Before We Were White https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 Episode 24: Give Me Back My Country Episode 24: Give Me Back My Country Thu, 05 Mar 2026 20:21:30 GMT 43:03 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/87a7e0ea-c96b-3e5d-8e2c-3a9c03a99848 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-24-give-me-back-my-country/ 6a96d4edb0faeccb23c74d8e 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 26 In a time when political gangsters are mobilizing their base by appealing to "White Nationalism", it has never been more important to push back against the ridiculous assertion that "white" is an "ethnicity".

The idea that the USA as a project is founded mainly upon "white culture" is equally ridiculous.

BWWW Episode 24: "Give Me Back My Country" explores how country music - a musical tradition often seen as a signifier of "white culture" - finds its roots in America's mixed-ethnic underclasses.

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]]> In a time when political gangsters are mobilizing their base by appealing to "White Nationalism", it has never been more important to push back against the ridiculous assertion that "white" is an "ethnicity".

The idea that the USA as a project is founded mainly upon "white culture" is equally ridiculous.

BWWW Episode 24: "Give Me Back My Country" explores how country music - a musical tradition often seen as a signifier of "white culture" - finds its roots in America's mixed-ethnic underclasses.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Episode 23: Deconstructing the Construct Episode 23: Deconstructing the Construct Sun, 01 Feb 2026 18:00:25 GMT 49:13 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/5ac21a06-40ae-3661-aade-4db3a4e82f50 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-23-deconstructing-the-construct/ 6a96d4ef0cefab27306856ea 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 25 Just over 5 years ago, in the aftermath of the first Trump presidency (which saw a resurgence of racism in the USA), I started Before We Were White as a project for countering the fake history underpinning White Nationalism.

I've updated and recorded the first essay I wrote 5 years ago.

Its content has become even more relevant today than it was back then.

 

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Just over 5 years ago, in the aftermath of the first Trump presidency (which saw a resurgence of racism in the USA), I started Before We Were White as a project for countering the fake history underpinning White Nationalism.

I've updated and recorded the first essay I wrote 5 years ago.

Its content has become even more relevant today than it was back then.

 

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Episode 22: The Last Shibboleth Episode 22: The Last Shibboleth Mon, 29 Sep 2025 21:59:09 GMT 54:55 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/15798f45-78e0-3cbe-b873-87ac83b7b7d2 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-22-the-last-shibboleth/ 6a96d50e7549a55dcb7f0df3 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 24 No nation on earth fetishizes its military in the way the USA does.

Do the lofty words of praise from US politicians match how veterans are treated?

And if not, why not?

In this episode of Before We Were White, we explore who actually fights America's wars.

  

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]]> No nation on earth fetishizes its military in the way the USA does.

Do the lofty words of praise from US politicians match how veterans are treated?

And if not, why not?

In this episode of Before We Were White, we explore who actually fights America's wars.

  

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


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]]> Episode 21: Hillbilly Face Episode 21: Hillbilly Face Mon, 30 Jun 2025 22:56:15 GMT 1:04:47 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/8577dd9a-05ec-3d45-b8ca-c73332bfaf08 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-21-hillbilly-face/ 6a96d5370cefab27306875ad 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 23 A simple question:

Why have "poor white people" - aka Rednecks and Hillbillies - always been seen as legitimate targets for vicious mockery and public ridicule by "mainstream" American society?

The answer to that question goes to the heart of early colonial American self-identity.

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]]> A simple question:

Why have "poor white people" - aka Rednecks and Hillbillies - always been seen as legitimate targets for vicious mockery and public ridicule by "mainstream" American society?

The answer to that question goes to the heart of early colonial American self-identity.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


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]]> Episode 20: Lights and Makeup Episode 20: Lights and Makeup Sun, 02 Feb 2025 17:42:44 GMT 1:37:36 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/1b7eddd2-0696-3260-ade9-d97cd522bfe2 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/before-we-were-white-episode-20-lights-and-makeup/ 6a96d5210cefab2730686d6c 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 22 What connects The Mayflower with an iconic screen adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein? 

And what connects the 1931 James Whale film Frankenstein with the 1956 Hollywood musical The King and I?

Why do so many Americans show South Asian ancestry in DNA tests? 

And where exactly does John Wayne fit into all of this?

Sometimes the real horror is the story behind the actors and storytellers...

Before We Were White takes a mid-point break from our four part series on the history of Christianity in America - "New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified". 

Join us as we explore some of the darkness at the heart of Tinsel Town's Golden Era.

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Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> What connects The Mayflower with an iconic screen adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein? 

And what connects the 1931 James Whale film Frankenstein with the 1956 Hollywood musical The King and I?

Why do so many Americans show South Asian ancestry in DNA tests? 

And where exactly does John Wayne fit into all of this?

Sometimes the real horror is the story behind the actors and storytellers...

Before We Were White takes a mid-point break from our four part series on the history of Christianity in America - "New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified". 

Join us as we explore some of the darkness at the heart of Tinsel Town's Golden Era.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


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]]> Episode 19: New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified, Part 2 Episode 19: New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified, Part 2 Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:17:19 GMT 1:20:04 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/67122f69-71af-3340-993b-59fbe12c7785 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-19-new-improved-and-super-sanctified-part-2/ 6a96d5053eb41633977877dd 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 21 America is easily the most religious country among the wealthy western democracies.

Why?

Episode 19 of Before We Were White - "New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified, Part 2" is out now.

Part 2 explores the Medieval Catholic church, and how its quest for total political, economic, and spiritual power and authority led to the birth of Protestantism.

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]]> America is easily the most religious country among the wealthy western democracies.

Why?

Episode 19 of Before We Were White - "New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified, Part 2" is out now.

Part 2 explores the Medieval Catholic church, and how its quest for total political, economic, and spiritual power and authority led to the birth of Protestantism.

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Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> Episode 18: New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified, Part 1 Episode 18: New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified, Part 1 Sun, 30 Jun 2024 20:26:02 GMT 49:50 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/a268529e-7db0-3344-b898-4db516bf0bba false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-18-new-improved-and-super-sanctified-part-1/ 6a96d4f1b6f00a73a90d0e33 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 20 America is easily the most religious country among the wealthy western democracies.

In almost every other nation, greater wealth and educational levels correlate with a drop-off in levels of religiosity.

The USA remains a conspicuous outlier in this regard.

Why?
 
Episode 18 of Before We Were White - "New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified, Part 1" is out now.

An exploration of the curious synergy between God and Mammon in American history, from Canaan to Corporation, from Pilgrims to Pentacostalism, from Jamestown to Jonestown.

Part 1 goes right back to the source, tracing the line between Bronze Age storm gods and the Medieval Catholic church.

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]]> America is easily the most religious country among the wealthy western democracies.

In almost every other nation, greater wealth and educational levels correlate with a drop-off in levels of religiosity.

The USA remains a conspicuous outlier in this regard.

Why?
 
Episode 18 of Before We Were White - "New, Improved, and Super-Sanctified, Part 1" is out now.

An exploration of the curious synergy between God and Mammon in American history, from Canaan to Corporation, from Pilgrims to Pentacostalism, from Jamestown to Jonestown.

Part 1 goes right back to the source, tracing the line between Bronze Age storm gods and the Medieval Catholic church.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Episode 17: Pre-Deliverance, Part 3 Episode 17: Pre-Deliverance, Part 3 Sun, 28 Apr 2024 02:15:12 GMT 2:20:40 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/6a5e3f77-6abd-3943-a988-f02eeb4e823c false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-17-pre-deliverance-part-3/ 6a96d5270cefab2730686ee7 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 19 How did a musical instrument which started off hundreds of years ago in Africa end-up becoming a symbol of "white" American country music?

Was this a case of simple cultural appropriation, or is there another story waiting to be told?

When it comes to American history, nothing is ever as black and white as people think...

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> How did a musical instrument which started off hundreds of years ago in Africa end-up becoming a symbol of "white" American country music?

Was this a case of simple cultural appropriation, or is there another story waiting to be told?

When it comes to American history, nothing is ever as black and white as people think...

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Episode 16: Pre-Deliverance, Part 2 Episode 16: Pre-Deliverance, Part 2 Fri, 01 Mar 2024 20:56:02 GMT 1:00:29 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/3e554d06-b3d8-3e6c-a68f-c1c12a7d799d false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-16-pre-deliverance-part-2/ 6a96d502341b771cca6ee2e3 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 18 Part Two of "Pre-Deliverance" continues our exploration of some of the forgotten roots of American culture and ethnicity.

In this episode, we get closer to understanding the origins of "Hillbilly Jews".

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]]> Part Two of "Pre-Deliverance" continues our exploration of some of the forgotten roots of American culture and ethnicity.

In this episode, we get closer to understanding the origins of "Hillbilly Jews".

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


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]]> Episode 15: Pre-Deliverance, Part 1 Episode 15: Pre-Deliverance, Part 1 Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:23:41 GMT 58:25 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/84ae1d5e-e67c-3a8f-a2e4-d01209f72c46 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-15-pre-deliverance-part-1/ 6a96d521b6f00a73a90d18b9 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 17 Play a game of word association with the average American.

Say "banjo".

Chances are, a great many would reply with words like "hillbilly" or "redneck".

Some might venture to mention bluegrass music.

How did a musical instrument which started off hundreds of years ago in Africa end-up becoming a symbol of "white" American music culture?

And what if some of the earliest people of non-African ancestry to take-up the banjo were actually...Appalachian Jews?

Join us for another winding trek through the hidden history of heartland America.

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Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> Play a game of word association with the average American.

Say "banjo".

Chances are, a great many would reply with words like "hillbilly" or "redneck".

Some might venture to mention bluegrass music.

How did a musical instrument which started off hundreds of years ago in Africa end-up becoming a symbol of "white" American music culture?

And what if some of the earliest people of non-African ancestry to take-up the banjo were actually...Appalachian Jews?

Join us for another winding trek through the hidden history of heartland America.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Episode 14: Black Paddywhackery, Part 2 Episode 14: Black Paddywhackery, Part 2 Sun, 03 Sep 2023 16:21:24 GMT 1:45:47 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/cb15a081-7eaf-346d-a06b-2fe1da5cb29f false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-13-black-paddywhackery-part-2/ 6a96d50c341b771cca6ee89c 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 16 In Part 1 of "Black Paddywhackery", we learned about the origins of the Irish people, and asked why so many Americans self-identify as "Black Irish", believing themselves descended from survivors of the Spanish Armada which wrecked off the west coast of Ireland.

 

Having shown the flaws in this folk history, in Part 2 of "Black Paddywhackery" we explore the true origins of those who call themselves "Black Irish". 

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


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]]> In Part 1 of "Black Paddywhackery", we learned about the origins of the Irish people, and asked why so many Americans self-identify as "Black Irish", believing themselves descended from survivors of the Spanish Armada which wrecked off the west coast of Ireland.

 

Having shown the flaws in this folk history, in Part 2 of "Black Paddywhackery" we explore the true origins of those who call themselves "Black Irish". 

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Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> Episode 13: Black Paddywhackery, Part 1 Episode 13: Black Paddywhackery, Part 1 Sat, 05 Aug 2023 22:06:08 GMT 1:15:06 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/814b7bcc-5c74-3e38-8349-c6c8805978bd false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-13-black-paddywhackery-part-1/ 6a96d528b6f00a73a90d1a29 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 15 A curious number of Southern Appalachians like to refer to themselves or extended family members as being "Black Irish".

There are Facebook discussion groups catering to Appalachian Americans (with tens of thousands of members), and almost weekly an "expert" pops up assuring other members that the "Black Irish" are a thing, and that thing is usually this:

"Loads of Irish people have black eyes, dark hair and skin.  They come from Spanish sailors stranded on Irish coasts during the naval retreat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.  These sailors intermarried with local Irish girls." 

This oft-repeated folk history - and the assertion that large sections of the native Irish population are dark in complexion due to this - is utter claptrap.

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]]> A curious number of Southern Appalachians like to refer to themselves or extended family members as being "Black Irish".

There are Facebook discussion groups catering to Appalachian Americans (with tens of thousands of members), and almost weekly an "expert" pops up assuring other members that the "Black Irish" are a thing, and that thing is usually this:

"Loads of Irish people have black eyes, dark hair and skin.  They come from Spanish sailors stranded on Irish coasts during the naval retreat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.  These sailors intermarried with local Irish girls." 

This oft-repeated folk history - and the assertion that large sections of the native Irish population are dark in complexion due to this - is utter claptrap.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> Episode 12: No Safe Harbor, Part 3 Episode 12: No Safe Harbor, Part 3 Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:21:52 GMT 42:54 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/8e22fde0-1fcc-38ee-95d6-78b767bd393d false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-12-no-safe-harbor-part-3/ 6a96d4eb3eb4163397786645 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 14 The eastern half of the continental USA is dotted with places inaccurately described as "tri-racial isolate communities".

One of the largest such population groups can be found spread over Eastern Kentucky, the western parts of Virginia, East Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Widely known as "Melungeons", few Americans have been the subject of such intense scrutiny and curiosity.

Who are these people?  And why are they called "Melungeons"?  

In this third and final installment of a three-part episode, we complete our exploration of this Appalachian and American enigma. 

Is this a story about weirdly exotic or isolated people - or is it a story about the lies and myths at the heart of American identity itself?


#BeforeWeWereWhite #history #melungeons #genealogy #GeneticGenealogy

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]]> The eastern half of the continental USA is dotted with places inaccurately described as "tri-racial isolate communities".

One of the largest such population groups can be found spread over Eastern Kentucky, the western parts of Virginia, East Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Widely known as "Melungeons", few Americans have been the subject of such intense scrutiny and curiosity.

Who are these people?  And why are they called "Melungeons"?  

In this third and final installment of a three-part episode, we complete our exploration of this Appalachian and American enigma. 

Is this a story about weirdly exotic or isolated people - or is it a story about the lies and myths at the heart of American identity itself?


#BeforeWeWereWhite #history #melungeons #genealogy #GeneticGenealogy

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


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]]> Episode 11: No Safe Harbor, Part 2 Episode 11: No Safe Harbor, Part 2 Fri, 26 May 2023 23:12:52 GMT 1:02:02 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/5f056423-6282-34ff-a394-0a2f9f20b566 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-11-no-safe-harbor-part-2/ 6a96d5320cefab2730687185 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 13 The eastern half of the continental USA is dotted with places often described as "tri-racial isolate communities".

One of the largest such population groups can be found spread over Eastern Kentucky, the western parts of Virginia, East Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Widely known as "Melungeons", few Americans have been the subject of such intense scrutiny and curiosity.

Who are these people?  Where did they come from?  

In this episode, we continue our exploration of an Appalachian enigma - asking why so many of these mountain people always claimed Portuguese ancestry, even while outsiders dismissed such folk memory.   

Is this a story about weirdly exotic or isolated people - or is it a story about the lies and myths at the heart of American identity itself?

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> The eastern half of the continental USA is dotted with places often described as "tri-racial isolate communities".

One of the largest such population groups can be found spread over Eastern Kentucky, the western parts of Virginia, East Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Widely known as "Melungeons", few Americans have been the subject of such intense scrutiny and curiosity.

Who are these people?  Where did they come from?  

In this episode, we continue our exploration of an Appalachian enigma - asking why so many of these mountain people always claimed Portuguese ancestry, even while outsiders dismissed such folk memory.   

Is this a story about weirdly exotic or isolated people - or is it a story about the lies and myths at the heart of American identity itself?

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Episode 10: No Safe Harbor, Part 1 Episode 10: No Safe Harbor, Part 1 Sun, 30 Apr 2023 18:03:29 GMT 56:32 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/2dc8594d-926b-385c-a831-b6824601b4fc false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-10-no-safe-harbor-part-1/ 6a96d50f0cefab27306866a3 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 12 The eastern half of the continental USA is dotted with places often described as "tri-racial isolate communities".

One of the largest such population groups can be found spread over Eastern Kentucky, the western parts of Virginia, East Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Widely known as "Melungeons", few Americans have been the subject of such intense scrutiny and curiosity.

Who are these people?  Where did they come from?  

Are they really a mix of Northern European settlers, African Americans, and indigenous peoples?

Or is there something more complicated and deeply hidden in Melungeon history? 

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]]> The eastern half of the continental USA is dotted with places often described as "tri-racial isolate communities".

One of the largest such population groups can be found spread over Eastern Kentucky, the western parts of Virginia, East Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Widely known as "Melungeons", few Americans have been the subject of such intense scrutiny and curiosity.

Who are these people?  Where did they come from?  

Are they really a mix of Northern European settlers, African Americans, and indigenous peoples?

Or is there something more complicated and deeply hidden in Melungeon history? 

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]]> Episode 9: How Lovely Are Thy Branches Episode 9: How Lovely Are Thy Branches Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:01:15 GMT 1:17:33 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/630f5a25-e790-3e8f-93af-9aeeb49a720d false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-9-how-lovely-are-thy-branches/ 6a96d5397549a55dcb7f1c0c 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 11 Do the mass media and film industry reflect popular culture, or create it?

Where do we get our shared history, our national story, our traditions and identity?

Follow us as we explore the origins of Christmas in America, while attempting to discover what connects Hollywood, Abraham Lincoln, and, um, Lebanon?

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]]> Do the mass media and film industry reflect popular culture, or create it?

Where do we get our shared history, our national story, our traditions and identity?

Follow us as we explore the origins of Christmas in America, while attempting to discover what connects Hollywood, Abraham Lincoln, and, um, Lebanon?

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> Episode 8: The Witch in the Tent Grave Episode 8: The Witch in the Tent Grave Tue, 25 Oct 2022 23:57:46 GMT 39:35 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/2aef57c4-ff07-3a28-b82d-868a9eb14c53 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/bwww-episode-8-the-witch-and-the-weapon/ 6a96d4ee0cefab2730685667 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 10 Appalachia has no shortage of murder ballads and murder tales.

And Appalachia certainly has no shortage of folklore dealing with "haints" and witches.

But sometimes all of it becomes so entangled that separating folklore from fact is almost impossible.

Why are so many Appalachian "witches" buried under strange "tent graves"?

Did the old-time communities of Middle Tennessee harbor secrets now lost in the mists of time?

Follow us into a dark, moss-covered tent grave cemetery to find out...

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]]> Appalachia has no shortage of murder ballads and murder tales.

And Appalachia certainly has no shortage of folklore dealing with "haints" and witches.

But sometimes all of it becomes so entangled that separating folklore from fact is almost impossible.

Why are so many Appalachian "witches" buried under strange "tent graves"?

Did the old-time communities of Middle Tennessee harbor secrets now lost in the mists of time?

Follow us into a dark, moss-covered tent grave cemetery to find out...

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]]> Episode 7: My Little Runaway Episode 7: My Little Runaway Sun, 21 Aug 2022 12:42:26 GMT 1:07:32 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/22a56329-fe1d-3268-b197-a752803c4b7e false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-7-my-little-runaway/ 6a96d4f5341b771cca6edfe4 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 9 Josie and Celia both ran away from home as teenagers - one before the age of 15.

Between them, these girls would travel thousands of miles to meet their similar destinies.

Both would end up working as underage "sporting girls" on the 19th century American frontier, and both would become consort to a man still celebrated today in American film and folklore.

One would survive her ordeals by forgetting.  

The other could never forget...

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]]> Josie and Celia both ran away from home as teenagers - one before the age of 15.

Between them, these girls would travel thousands of miles to meet their similar destinies.

Both would end up working as underage "sporting girls" on the 19th century American frontier, and both would become consort to a man still celebrated today in American film and folklore.

One would survive her ordeals by forgetting.  

The other could never forget...

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]]> Episode 6: Sun Bonnets and Bootstraps Episode 6: Sun Bonnets and Bootstraps Sat, 25 Jun 2022 22:30:59 GMT 1:46:04 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/b45fe683-625b-36df-ae78-5ab44c1d7550 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-6-sun-bonnets-and-bootstraps/ 6a96d53b3eb416339778ba51 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 8 It is often said that we live in "post-truth" times, as if misinformation and disinformation are an innovation of the internet age.

The people who bend reality to fit ideology have been around for decades - for centuries - and they play the long game.

One of the most popular and long-running TV series in US history premiered in 1974.

Little House on the Prairie was a big slice of sweet American apple pie.

But sometimes sugar is for covering-up something rotten... 

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]]> It is often said that we live in "post-truth" times, as if misinformation and disinformation are an innovation of the internet age.

The people who bend reality to fit ideology have been around for decades - for centuries - and they play the long game.

One of the most popular and long-running TV series in US history premiered in 1974.

Little House on the Prairie was a big slice of sweet American apple pie.

But sometimes sugar is for covering-up something rotten... 

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Episode 5: Charleston Reshuffle Episode 5: Charleston Reshuffle Fri, 01 Apr 2022 15:28:54 GMT 18:55 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/d04433c7-388d-3ac6-8cd9-3352e55c8828 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-5-charleston-reshuffle/ 6a96d4ff341b771cca6ee207 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 7 Announcing the first of our new "bitesized" episodes, which we hope to release regularly between our "deep dive" episodes.


*****


On 4 April 2015, an unarmed man was unlawfully shot dead on the streets of Charleston, South Carolina by a police officer.

The local chief of police would be called to testify in the subsequent murder trial, amid national media interest and widespread community unrest.

The public interpretation of events was largely divided along the usual American socio-ethnic and political faultlines.


But Charleston is one of the oldest towns in the American South, with many secrets buried deep underneath the weight of centuries - and nothing is ever quite as it seems. 

And the people now living on different sides of the tracks might have a lot more in common than they could possibly imagine... 


"Charleston Reshuffle", out now at beforewewerewhite.com and wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> Announcing the first of our new "bitesized" episodes, which we hope to release regularly between our "deep dive" episodes.


*****


On 4 April 2015, an unarmed man was unlawfully shot dead on the streets of Charleston, South Carolina by a police officer.

The local chief of police would be called to testify in the subsequent murder trial, amid national media interest and widespread community unrest.

The public interpretation of events was largely divided along the usual American socio-ethnic and political faultlines.


But Charleston is one of the oldest towns in the American South, with many secrets buried deep underneath the weight of centuries - and nothing is ever quite as it seems. 

And the people now living on different sides of the tracks might have a lot more in common than they could possibly imagine... 


"Charleston Reshuffle", out now at beforewewerewhite.com and wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


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]]> Episode 4: Strangers for Dinner Episode 4: Strangers for Dinner Wed, 16 Feb 2022 10:48:06 GMT 1:41:49 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/38b7e3b8-fcef-3fa1-81a0-07d07d1ba6d9 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-4-strangers-for-dinner/ 6a96d51e341b771cca6eed62 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 6 November 1620. 

Aboard a freezing ship anchored off Cape Cod, Massachusetts...

A mutual cooperation agreement is signed by a group of men representing 101 passengers who had survived a perilous north Atlantic crossing, hoping to found a colony in the "New World".

This agreement would be important, because some of these passengers were members of a religious sect calling themselves "Saints".

The other two-thirds of the Mayflower passengers were not self-declared "Saints".

These "Saints" - later known to history as "The Pilgrims" - called the people who outnumbered them "Strangers".

Take a deep dive into America's forgotten history with this special length post-pandemic episode.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


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]]> November 1620. 

Aboard a freezing ship anchored off Cape Cod, Massachusetts...

A mutual cooperation agreement is signed by a group of men representing 101 passengers who had survived a perilous north Atlantic crossing, hoping to found a colony in the "New World".

This agreement would be important, because some of these passengers were members of a religious sect calling themselves "Saints".

The other two-thirds of the Mayflower passengers were not self-declared "Saints".

These "Saints" - later known to history as "The Pilgrims" - called the people who outnumbered them "Strangers".

Take a deep dive into America's forgotten history with this special length post-pandemic episode.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Episode 3: Matrimony and Mayhem Episode 3: Matrimony and Mayhem Wed, 12 May 2021 09:53:57 GMT 1:02:30 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/a76f2d70-f7c7-3acd-a41a-f095e2ed7729 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-3-matrimony-and-mayhem/ 6a96d4f83eb4163397787465 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 5 Between the founding of Jamestown in 1607, and the end of the Anglo-Powhatan Wars in 1644, there were a mere eight years of relative peace between the rightful inhabitants of Tsenacomoco and English colonisers.

Those few years of peace were largely the result of one marriage between two people from utterly different worlds.

The descendants of Pocahontas and John Rolfe are still here today, like seeds scattered before a whirlwind.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


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]]> Between the founding of Jamestown in 1607, and the end of the Anglo-Powhatan Wars in 1644, there were a mere eight years of relative peace between the rightful inhabitants of Tsenacomoco and English colonisers.

Those few years of peace were largely the result of one marriage between two people from utterly different worlds.

The descendants of Pocahontas and John Rolfe are still here today, like seeds scattered before a whirlwind.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> Episode 2: Black Hair, Gray Eyes Episode 2: Black Hair, Gray Eyes Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:58:35 GMT 50:30 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/60502e3c-d863-3e99-9443-2fca9f7be07d false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-2-black-hair-gray-eyes/ 6a96d512341b771cca6eea71 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 4 Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Episode 1: Off-Course Episode 1: Off-Course Fri, 02 Oct 2020 20:35:27 GMT 43:48 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/db576646-f551-3c25-95e9-c9a9b9b66e75 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/episode-1-off-course/ 6a96d50db6f00a73a90d14b8 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 3 The sea can be pitiless.

In 1477, a small ocean-going craft was found washed ashore in County Galway, Ireland, with the dead bodies of a man and a woman still lashed to it.

Of the innumerable maritime mishaps in history, none would have a greater lasting impact on the course of world events.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


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]]> The sea can be pitiless.

In 1477, a small ocean-going craft was found washed ashore in County Galway, Ireland, with the dead bodies of a man and a woman still lashed to it.

Of the innumerable maritime mishaps in history, none would have a greater lasting impact on the course of world events.

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> Before We Were White - main theme Before We Were White - main theme Thu, 01 Oct 2020 08:23:33 GMT 2:48 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/8b7de3b1-2d16-3893-9187-d35ae00d2732 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/before-we-were-white%c2%a0-main-theme/ 6a96d4fe0cefab2730686223 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 trailer Before We Were White main theme, featuring Dave McLoughlin of County Sligo, Ireland on bouzouki.

 

Theme based on the old Irish traditional Molly McAlpine, composed by famed Sligo harpist Thomas Connellan (1640 - 1698).

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]]> Before We Were White main theme, featuring Dave McLoughlin of County Sligo, Ireland on bouzouki.

 

Theme based on the old Irish traditional Molly McAlpine, composed by famed Sligo harpist Thomas Connellan (1640 - 1698).

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


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]]> BWWW Launch Announcement BWWW Launch Announcement Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:18:15 GMT 0:06 beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/625917dd-425b-37ab-9556-2d590ecf3222 false https://beforewewerewhite.podbean.com/e/bwww-launch-announcement/ 6a96d5087549a55dcb7f0cb5 6a96d4d77549a55dcb7eff39 full 1 "Before We Were White" podcast launches Thursday, 1 Oct 2020

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]> "Before We Were White" podcast launches Thursday, 1 Oct 2020

Visit our website: beforewewerewhite.com


Follow us on Substack: Brian Halpin@beforewewerewhitepodcast


Support our work: beforewewerewhite.com/support/


Subscribe and leave a review!


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]]>