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Code of Virginia defines "colored persons."

1930

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In 1705, Virginia defined any child, grandchild, or great grandchild of a Black person as a "mulatto," which is an deragatory term that also implies a person is a "half-breed, half mule, or half human." In 1866, the state decreed that every person having one-fourth or more "Negro" blood shall be deemed a "colored" person. In 1910, the percentage is changed to 1/16th. Finally, in 1930, the Code of Virginia defines "colored" persons as having any trace of African ancestry. Other states also define Blackness differently.