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Once Removed: An American Family Reunion

By: Spenser Simrill, Alvin Cowan
Narrated by: Elvis Mitchell
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Cultural & Regional
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Episodes
  • Once Removed: An American Family Reunion - Trailer

    Once Removed: An American Family Reunion - Trailer
    Mar 14 2024

    The sons and daughters of slaves and slaveholders attempt racial reconciliation in York County, South Carolina – the onetime heart of the Klu Klux Klan. As they embark on their global journey, they find trauma – and heroes – through the generations...and a path to healing. This series is co-produced by T-Bone Burnett and will feature an accompanying original music soundtrack produced by Burnett and Jared Gutstadt comprised of a who’s who in the Americana music world lead by original music from African American country recording artist Breland who was Amazon Music’s recording artist of the year.
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    1 min
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  • Episode 1: Seeds

    Episode 1: Seeds
    Mar 14 2024

    Michael Simril and Spenser Simrill are cousins Once Removed - a fact they discover as a result of a random Facebook friend suggestion. In finding their shared connected, we are transported back in time to the migratory human history of the 1700s - both Scotch-Irish and slave trade. Effectively, we learn how Simril(l)s became slaves and slaveholders in York County, South Carolina. In our episodes conclusion, Spenser writes a letter – sending it to all Simril(l)s living in York County – beginning the journey toward their ultimate reunion.
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    31 mins
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  • Episode 2: Race

    Episode 2: Race
    Mar 14 2024
    We trace the Simrils (one L) back to their African roots through the DNA results of Spenser Simrill Sr and Debra Simril– revealing just how close genetically the Simrills and Simrils are. In doing so, we plant seeds for the “Greatest Untold Story of Black Migration” - the Simrils ancestors return to Africa. We discuss the genetic and biological concept of race with Dr. Joseph Graves, who ultimately concludes that race doesn’t make sense as a biological concept in humans. This conclusion sets the stage for a post-racial world, the one the Simrills and Simrils now inhabit. Meanwhile, Spenser and Michal are now planning a get together of their families…and dealing all the distrust and questions that come with it.
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    31 mins
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Dr. Spenser Simrill, Jr.
Michael Simril

About the Creator

Dr. Spenser Simrill Jr. was born on Koinonia Farm, the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity. His films have appeared in numerous festivals, on Georgia Public Television, and in the online editions of the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and NME.
In 2013, he created an ancestry course at the University of Georgia inspired by Henry Louis Gates. Spenser’s own journey through the course revealed horror and heroism. In 1871, Harriet Simril, a black mother of four, testified against the Ku Klux Klan in federal court while her relatives sailed to Liberia, West Africa, the land of their forebears. Harriet and her family had been enslaved by Spenser’s ancestors.
Spenser sent a letter to every Simril—black and white—in the Carolinas. On a ten-year odyssey, they would unveil the first historical marker in South Carolina to mention the Ku Klux Klan, heal generational trauma, and form a new family.
Spenser lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife and children, and teaches at Christ School.

About the Creator

A musician, community organizer, barber, and stylist, Michael Simril hails from Rock Hill, South Carolina, his ancestral home. During the Revolutionary War, his enslaved forebears made cannonballs for the Patriot army. During Reconstruction, they testified against the Ku Klux Klan in federal court before migrating to Liberia, West Africa. In his free time, Michael enjoys genealogy, fishing, meditation, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

About the Performer

Elvis Mitchell has hosted The Treatment, with its inside look at the creators of popular culture, since KCRW first aired the program in April of 1996. Mitchell served as the film critic at the New York Times from January 2000 until May of 2005. In October 2002, he gave the prestigious Alain Locke lectures on African American culture at Harvard University, and subsequently has been a visiting lecturer at Harvard in Visual and Environmental Studies and in African American Studies. He most recently wrote and directed the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary, Is That Black Enough for You?!?, which was produced by Steven Soderbegrh and David Fincher.

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Profile Image for HelenH

Outstanding pod

I could relate so much. I have long felt genealogy should be taught as a unit in school. Perhaps this podcast should be required for high school students.

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Honest exploration of family history

Balanced telling of the stories from a variety of viewpoints. Candor about this generation’s hopes, fears and griefs.

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Profile Image for Yogi Pierogi

We may be done with the past, but the past isn’t done with us

A riveting story that perfectly frames the current morass of race relations, our nation’s shameful past, reparations, and healing.
Even if you don’t have enslaver or enslaved ancestors, this podcast goes into territory I guarantee you have not been before. So well told, I binged the whole thing in 24 hours.

I hope this project brings some much needed hope and reconciliation to the world.

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Thought provoking story

Great podcast. It touched my heart to hear this wonderful story. It made me want to do better in the world and keep learning and pushing myself to learn more about race relations, reparations and more.

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Opportunity to chance History

Given the shameful history of what we call civilization, it is a rare opportunity to have any kind of peaceful retribution. The series of events with the Simril/Simrill connection is a poignant and gripping narrative that would ignite anyone to explore their own lineage, heritage, and possibility of discovering how we can be accountable for our past by bridging our identity to the future.

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Family Relations

came across this by accident. As a avid researcher of my family, this story gives me hope, inspiration to keep searching, keep learning and to keep growing my family tree. Also giving me courage to click the message button on some of those white faces that show up in my DNA matches. Who are we? How are connected? Who are OUR people.

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