The Chris Voss Show Podcast – The Other Madisons: The Lost History of a President’s Black Family by Bettye Kearse

The Other Madisons: The Lost History of a President’s Black Family by Bettye Kearse

“A Roots for a new generation, rich in storytelling and steeped in history.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“A compelling saga that gives a voice to those that history tried to erase…Poignant and eye-opening, this is a must-read.”
—Booklist

In The Other Madisons, Bettye Kearse—a descendant of an enslaved cook and, according to oral tradition, President James Madison—shares her family story and explores the issues of legacy, race, and the powerful consequences of telling the whole truth.

For thousands of years, West African griots (men) and griots (women) have recited the stories of their people. Without this tradition, Bettye Kearse would not have known that she is a descendant of President James Madison and his slave, and half-sister, Coreen. In 1990, Bettye became the eighth-generation griotte for her family. Their credo—“Always remember—you’re a Madison. You come from African slaves and a president”—was intended to be a source of pride, but for her, it echoed with abuses of slavery, including rape and incest.

Confronting those abuses, Bettye embarked on a journey of discovery—of her ancestors, the nation, and herself. She learned that wherever African slaves walked, recorded history silenced their voices and buried their footsteps: beside a slave-holding fortress in Ghana; below a federal building in New York City; and under a brick walkway at James Madison’s Virginia plantation. When Bettye tried to confirm the information her ancestors had passed down, she encountered obstacles at every turn.

Part personal quest, part testimony, part historical correction, The Other Madisons is the saga of an extraordinary American family told by a griot in search of the whole story.

About Bettye Kearse
In 1990, Bettye Kearse became the family griotte when her mother brought the box of family memorabilia to her. Bettye asked, “Why now?” The answer was: “I want to give you plenty of time to write the book.”

In recounting the struggles, perseverance, and contributions of eight generations of Bettye’s family, THE OTHER MADISONS discovers, discloses, and embraces a more inclusive and complete American story.

Her writings have appeared in the BOSTON HERALD, RIVER TEETH, ZORA, MENTAL FLOSS, IMAGEMAKERS & INFLUENCERS MAGAZINE, OpEdNEWS, TIME MAGAZINE and the anthology BLACK LIVES HAVE ALWAYS MATTERED.

THE OTHER MADISONS earned an International Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Book Award. Bettye’s research received extensive coverage in the WASHINGTON POST: www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/lifestyle/dna-madison/

Bettye was born in Tucson, Arizona and grew up in California. She has a B.A. in Genetics from the University of California, a Ph.D. in Biology from New York University, and an M.D. from Case Western Reserve University. Before retiring and moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico, Bettye practicedB pediatrics in Boston for 31 years.

Bettye’s favorite foods are nuts and truffles. When a choice must be made, it depends on her level of self-indulgence.

Website: bettyekearse.com