Commentary on the meaning of race in science and society.

Introduction Quite recently, I had a personal experience that underscored why we must constantly revisit the issue of race in America. I went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in search of information about my great-great grandfather. I knew he was a slave in Raleigh, North Carolina who bought his freedom in 1838 and called himself “Freeman” because he was free. I also knew the name of his slavemaster, the Honorable George E. Badger, and I wondered how a man could be both honorable and a slave master. I found out that this honorable man was a judge in North Carolina who became Secretary of the Navy and later served as a United States Senator for 11 years. His records showed that he purchased my great-great grandfather in 1829 for $388. My great-great grandmother, I discovered, was named Eliza and was given to the Honorable George Badger as a wedding gift by his father-in-law in 1828. With much emotion, I held the bill of sale for my great-great grandfather and read that my great-great grandmother was given away as a wedding gift. I share this personal experience to put into some perspective the importance of our country’s history and its influence on people’s lives. I do not believe that I can disassociate my life and my self from the history of what has happened in America and the world in general with regard to race. I emphasize this history because it has been a profound factor in shaping current human circumstances for many Americans, including the unequal burden of disease.