Tamera Morey-Hosley is touched while learning the history of her enslaved ancestors in a new episode of Find your roots on PBS.
The sister, Star Sister, 44 — who is of mixed race, father of European descent and mother Bahamian — learned that the grandfather on her mother’s side was an enslaved field worker.
The mother of two was emotional and shed tears when she discovered that Margaret Rolle, born in 1825, had been listed as a slave in an official document at the age of nine.
You want to protect them, and you want them to keep that innocence. But for Margaret, that just wasn’t there,” Tamera — who previously defended her husband Adam Housley against accusations of racism — He told host Henry Louis Gates Jr.
That’s the crazy thing about being biracial. “I have blood starting with her, and then I bonded over her blood,” the actress later added.
Tough history: Tamera Morey-Hosley, 44, gets emotional while learning the history of her enslaved ancestors on a new episode of Finding Your Roots on PBS
Emotional: The actress—who is of mixed race, father of European descent and mother Bahamian—learned that one of her great-grandfathers on her mother’s side was an enslaved field worker.
Although slavery was abolished in the British Empire when Margaret was nine years old, there was a period of four years where formerly enslaved people had to work for the former owners without pay.
Because of that period, Roll wasn’t fully free until she was 13, according to documents presented on the show.
“What do you think Margaret would have done of you?” Gates asked Tamera, bringing her to tears.
“She’d be proud,” she replied, after a long, reflective pause.
And Gates agreed, saying, “Oh, sure, she’d be proud.”
But you just feel sad that she had to go through this as a kid. I wonder what she went through to escape her current situation.
Then she wondered how her ancestors had dealt with her circumstances and how she felt when she was finally released.
“Then, to be free at last…and what did it feel like, that first breath.”
Touching: The mother-of-two was emotional and broke down in tears when she learned that Marguerite Rolle – born in 1825 – had been listed as a slave in an official document at the young age of her life.
Protection: “You want to protect them, you want them to maintain that innocence.” But for Margaret, that just wasn’t there,” she told host Henry Louis Gates Jr
Historically: I also learned that several members of her family apparently participated in a historical event called the Pompeiian Revolt
Identity: That’s what’s crazy about being biracial. “I have blood that started on her, and then I bonded over her blood,” the actress added.
She also learns that several members of her family appear to have participated in a historical event called the Pompeiian Revolt.
It is likely that some of its ancestors were owned by a British baron, John Rolle in 1830. The Pompey Revolt occurred when 43 slaves—led by an enslaved man named Pompey—revolted against Rolle on his estates.
Although they did not obtain their freedom, the rebellion helped prevent a removal order for about 77 persons, which would have separated men, women, and children from their families.
“That’s beautiful,” said Tamera.
Gates then wondered if the newfound knowledge was changing the way Tamera saw herself.
“You know when you always say, ‘I got it from my mom? Well, I definitely see that line of strength growing and continuing. That’s what I took away from all of this.
Tamera found fame in her teen role as Tamera Campbell on the sitcom Sister Sister, playing alongside her twin sister, Tia Mowry. The show aired from 1994 until 1999.
The twins’ mother, Darlene Renee Morey, is of Bahamian descent, while their father, Timothy John Morey, is of English and Irish descent.
Claim to fame: Tamera (R) found fame with her role as teen Tamera Campbell on the sitcom Sister, Sister, where she played alongside her twin sister Tia Mowry (L); Pictured 1994 still
With the mother: the twins’ mother, Darlene Renee Morey, is of Bahamian descent, while their father, Timothy John Morey, is of English and Irish descent; Pictured with mom Darlene in 2007
