text: IN NEW ORLEANS WE CALL IT PASSE BLANC WHICH MEANS PASSING FOR WHITE. IT WAS A WAY OF SURVIVAL IN THOSE DAYS. MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER PASSE BLANC FOR MOST OF HER LIFE BECAUSE SHE WAS A REGISTERED NURSE AND MANY WHITE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT COLORED GIRLS TOUCHING THEM. SHE PASSED AWAY AT 95 AND REFUSED TO SAY SHE WAS BLACK. I WOULDN'T DO THAT AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE BUT SINCE I UNDERSTAND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SHE WAS FORCED TO LIVE UNDER I GET IT. SHE WANTED MORE FOR HER FAMILY AND SAYING SHE WAS BLACK WOULD BE A HINDRANCE IN THE 1940'S.