Radiolab: “Ally's Choice” – Podcast Summary
Aired: July 2, 2013
Producer: Lou Olkowski
Hosts: Jad Abumrad, Robert Krulwich

Main Theme

“Ally’s Choice” explores the complexities of racial identity within a mixed-race Appalachian family in Southern Ohio. Centered on the experiences of three generations of women—Clarissy, Carlotta, and Allyson—the episode investigates how each navigates and chooses their identity in an environment deeply shaped by local histories of race, family, and exclusion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical Context: Two Towns, Two Worlds

• East Jackson: A racially-mixed Appalachian hamlet formed through a history of intermarriage among Irish, German timbermen, runaway slaves, and Native Americans.
• Waverly: Settled with the intent of being an “all-white” town, featuring segregationist practices (ex: signs warning black people away after dark, 96% white by census).
• The two communities had separate schools and limited social crossover (05:12–06:06).

2. The Family’s Racial Identification

• Clarissy (Mother): Despite her racially mixed heritage (including white, German, and Native American ancestors), identifies as “Negro” and feels pride in claiming blackness, even as she acknowledges her white appearance (01:34–01:56).

  “I'm not black as in color, but I am a Negro. I mean, that's just the way I feel.”
  —Clarissy, 01:56

• Carlotta (Older Daughter): Also presents as white but identifies strongly as black, advocating for embracing all aspects of her heritage.

  “I don't think you should deny a part of you that is there.”
  —Carlotta, 03:11

• Allyson (Younger Daughter): Chooses to identify as white, largely as a response to severe bullying and discrimination at a predominantly white school.

  “I'm way too white to be black... Look at my hair. Look at my skin. I mean, really creamy. Cream, cream, cream. Lots of cream."
  —Allyson, 03:18

3. School Experiences & Trauma

• Closure of the local “black/mixed” East Jackson school forced integration into Waverly, where racism ran deep—even into the 1980s and 1990s (06:14–06:51).

• Allyson recounts being bullied at school with racial slurs and prejudicial assumptions (for example: “dirty because she's Black,” “will have lice”) (06:51–07:24).

  “I would have kids... say she's dirty... because she's from East Jackson and they're all dirty out there.”
  —Allyson, 06:51

• A pivotal moment occurs when Allyson is taunted with deodorant (“Don’t black people need deodorant?”), leading her to emotionally detach from her identity (07:34–08:26).

  “They just kept poking me and telling me I was dirty... and she said at that moment, she just kind of gave up.”
  —Allyson/Lou, 08:23

4. Allyson’s Choice: ‘Passing’ as White

• During the summer before high school, Allyson drastically changes her appearance and social identity, fully embracing “passing” as white (09:01–09:32).

• She distances herself from family, especially her sister, even leading in mocking and ostracizing Carlotta to fit in.

  “Making fun of me could make her popular. Then she would do it.”
  —Carlotta, 10:37

5. Family Tensions & Generational Pain

• Ongoing arguments between Allyson and Clarissy about racial identity, which surface routinely in family interactions (12:02–12:19).

• Carlotta expresses lasting emotional hurt from Allyson’s actions in high school, leading to a lingering rift (10:50–10:57).

  “And she wonders why we're not close now... You don't forget who made your life miserable.”
  —Carlotta, 10:50

6. Impact on the Next Generation

• Allyson’s children are being raised as white, unaware or in denial of their family’s black heritage.

• Her son Caleb, under the influence of his white father (who joins a white supremacist group), repeats racist language and beliefs (13:02–15:16).

  “And when you say, excuse me, you know you're black. He will cry and say, no, I'm not either, I'm white.”
  —Lou Olkowski, 13:09

  “My dad said he's going to get to KKK and come up here and what he's going to do.”
  —Clarissy (quoting Caleb), 15:00

7. Longing for Escape & Conditional Family Bonds

• Despite her disillusionment with East Jackson and continual desire to “leave,” Allyson stays for her mother’s sake (15:40–end).

  “In the event that something ever happens to my mom, me and my kids will pack up and we will leave the state and we won't come back. And I will no longer be associated with this area.”
  —Allyson, 15:40

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Identity:

• “I'm not ashamed one bit. I'm proud to be a Negro. Very proud.”
  —Clarissy, 05:45

On Social Reality:

• “It sucked being the outsider. I got sick of it.”
  —Allyson, 08:37

On Family Pain:

• "And she wonders why we're not close now. And, you know, you don't forget things like that. You don't forget who made your life miserable."
  —Carlotta, 10:50

On Intergenerational Influence:

• "Caleb would come back and he would say the God awfulest things. He would tell my mom, you're a nigger, you're a nigger, Grandma."
  —Allyson, 14:36

Important Timestamps

• 00:23–01:28: Lou Olkowski’s arrival in rural Ohio; family background
• 01:34–03:41: Introduction of family members and their chosen identities
• 04:50–06:51: Local racial history and education
• 06:51–09:01: Allyson’s school experiences and the roots of her identity shift
• 09:16–10:43: Allyson’s efforts to blend in and the resulting sisterly rift
• 12:02–12:19: Family arguments about race
• 13:02–15:16: The influence of Allyson's ex-husband and impact on the children
• 15:40–end: Allyson’s ambivalent longing to leave and stay

Tone

The episode is deeply personal, sometimes raw, blending matter-of-fact narration with moments of emotional candor and familial heartbreak. The family members speak frankly about pain, survival, loyalty, and the weight of their choices, set against a backdrop of persistent local racism and the hope to protect future generations from the same suffering.