Social media reacts as white mom’s Black baby captures attention—husband is white.

The birth of a child is often one of the most joyous and anticipated moments in a family’s life. However, for Rachel and Paul Buckman, a couple from Tennessee, what should have been a happy occasion quickly turned into a viral sensation filled with speculation and controversy. On February 17, 2024, Rachel, a cashier at the Celina 52 Truck Stop in Tennessee, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Cash Jamal Buckman. Rachel and her fiancé Paul are both white, but their son’s noticeably darker skin immediately drew attention and sparked a wave of online speculation. Many people questioned Paul’s paternity, with some accusing Rachel of infidelity or suggesting the baby might have been switched at birth. These comments quickly flooded the post announcing the birth on the truck stop’s Facebook page, overshadowing the family’s joy. In an effort to address the…

Many people questioned Paul’s paternity, with some accusing Rachel of infidelity or suggesting the baby might have been switched at birth. These comments quickly flooded the post announcing the birth on the truck stop’s Facebook page, overshadowing the family’s joy. In an effort to address the rumors, the Celina 52 Truck Stop edited their announcement to explain that Rachel has African American ancestry that can skip generations, which might explain their son’s skin color. They also mentioned that newborn jaundice—a common condition that can temporarily affect a baby’s skin tone—could be a factor. The post ended with a plea for kindness amid the speculation.

Despite these efforts, skepticism persisted. Rachel took matters into her own hands by publicly sharing her DNA test results on social media to confirm her African American heritage and assert Paul’s paternity. Yet, even with this evidence, many social media users continued to joke and question the situation, with some calling for DNA tests and others making light of the family’s struggles. As the story gained traction, the Celina 52 Truck Stop announced that they would conduct polygraph and DNA tests on their employees to bring clarity to the situation. This only fueled the curiosity and conversation around the family’s story.