How a single decision made a century ago split a family by race

Journalist Susan Saulny investigates her family's history of racial passing, triggered by news of a newly elected pope with New Orleans Creole roots. Her great-uncle Edward left New Orleans in the 1920s to live as a white man in Chicago, creating a permanent divide within the family. Saulny uncovers the complex legacy of her ancestors, including a Confederate-supporting French wine merchant and a resilient formerly enslaved woman, Minerva. This investigation reveals the psychological toll of racial concealment and the enduring impact of systemic racism on both the Black and white branches of her family. Following the interview, critic David Bianculli reviews the Netflix series *The Boroughs*, highlighting its focus on elderly misfits in a retirement community and its exploration of themes like loneliness and mortality through a talented ensemble cast.