Here's a surprising one: poet Langston Hughes was part Jewish.
That's right, Langston Hughes, at the forefront of the Harlem
Renaissance, claimed to have had a Jewish ancestor. Talk about
an easy profile to write! We're gonna act surprised (done), make
some snarky remarks about all the best poets (even the black
ones) being Jewish, talk about Whitey always bringing people
(Jews/blacks) down... The profile basically writes itself.
Except... Well, we had to look it up. How exactly is Hughes part
Jewish? Perhaps his Jewish ancestors were part of the
abolitionist movement? Something glorious and honorable, showing
that deep connection that exists between Jewish and black
people? Oh. You don't say. Crap. Hughes' great-grandfather was
Jewish, alright. He was a Jewish slave trader. Well, not all
Jews are glorious and honorable, but... shit. Sometimes,
surprises can be so disappointing...