Black At 32

Michael Sydney Fosberg was 32 years old when he decided to call his father for the first time. After dialing the first number on his list he discovered the voice on the other end of the line was his dad. This father Son reunion was surprising as Fosberg’s father soon revealed that he was African American; shaking Fosberg’s understanding that he was white.

According to Fosberg the realization explained his strong connection to African American people and culture that he often took for granted. Fosberg’s friends often joked that he had to be black as he recited Richard Pryor routines, a famous African American stand-up comedian. His realization answered the questions he often asked his mother as to where he acquired his curly, afro style hair.

Fosberg stated that searching for his family allowed him to look for the final piece of the puzzle. He stated that walking through his grandparents home for the first time, was like walking through a museum because they kept many sentimental artifacts. Fosberg learned that his great, great grandfather was the 54th regiment of the colored infantry unit and his great grandfather Charles Lefty Robinson was the star pitcher in the Negro League for the ST. Louis Stars.

For Fosberg telling his story was more than necessary. Through his one man play Incognito and recently published autobiography Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self Discovery, Fosberg tells his perplexing story while challenging people to question the ways in which they identify themselves and other people. He says he hopes his work will encourage people to have open and fearless conversations about race.

For more information about Incognito, go to www.incognitotheplay.com.