Yesterday, the New York Times ran a piece on Michelle Obama's connection to slavery. Using old public records, fading photos, and recollections of older family members, the New York Times, along with genealogist Megan Smolenyak, uncovered details that fully connect the first lady to the history of slavery for the first time. While the piece was captivating, some worry that it was not appropriate.
The issue of race in America's past and present is undoubtedly a sensitive subject. Many Americans, including African-Americans, want to celebrate the Obamas' path to the White House, and the story about Michelle Obama's slave roots helps shed light on just how far our society has come. In addition, the fact that Michelle's great-great-great-grandfather was white might remind this diverse country that we share a common past. Yet other people feel that the independent piece on her heritage violates her privacy or focuses on her race when the Obamas have made it clear that they want to move past it.
The first lady has declined to comment on the article due to its personal nature. Now that Michelle Obama is first lady, is it fair for the public to take an interest in her genealogy, or was this piece in bad taste?
High
Penhaligon
Christian Louboutin
I think the story is fascinating and make me want to research my family background some more.
Just because she doesn't want to comment doesn't mean she disapproves.
1I just think it's irrelevant.
2I think it's highly relevant as it shows how far the country has come and has yet to go.
3Yeah, I really think this over stepped some boundaries.
4I don't have a problem with a segment on 60minutes or Dateline or an hour on the History channel where it would be most appropriate but hearing about it on local and national news all day long is too much. They need to know where to draw the line so they don't appear to be tripping over each other to let us know.
5I think it's a matter of, honestly, who cares, and why her? No one did a segment of Laura Bush, or Cindy McCain. I understand that this is a very important step for the American people, but who cares? They did this because she is who she is. Now, if it was her mother who was a slave, and she, the daughter of a slave became the first lady, then that's impressive. But it's her great-great-great-great- grandmother who was a slave.
6It just seems so irrelevant. I actually read the article, and stopped to think... Why do I care? It's neat to know my family history, but really, do you people care if I said I was a DAR? If my great great great great grandfather was a foreign duke?
I kinda rambled, but it just seems way too irrelevant to me.
This did not just cross the line, but it is unreasonable, bizaar and ridiculous! The media should start acting more responsible and be more mature! I mean what do we have working in the media centers? 6 years old kids with lack of thinking capabilities? DUMBASS PEOPL! ( and they call themselves "professionals."
7check out familysearch.org if you want to look up your family...they have records from all over the world.
I found my great aunt on there!
8I think it was interesting and a good piece. It's a good piece of history. & really, you're comparing her heritage to Cindy McCain and Laura Bush? LOL. The point is she's the first black first lady. For historical purposes it's pretty interesting to see the lineage of that. What would Laura Bush's lineage teach us? She would be similar somewhat to every other first lady.
9Who cares? I do! I think it's really quite fascinating, thankyouverymuch!
10Can this lady get her buck teeth fixed?? its kinda gross
11Why should she get her teeth fixed? What's it to you??
12I dont think its relevant at all.
13Laura Bush killed someone in a car accident when she was 17. there's her history.
14I think it could have been done differently. Maybe as someone else suggested like a segment on a news show. I do think they should have maybe talked with her about this before going to the mass media with it. Who knows - maybe she already knew this but didn't want it to be something people judged her by. Regardless, I do think it is interesting - just could have been handled differently.
15I thought the story was very fascinating! Maybe not relevant but certainly interesting!
16I am sure she, like most everyone else is proud of their heritage regardless of where they came from or other hardships or even priviledges. Yet what does this proove except what the article states, to "remind this diverse country that we share a common past."
17I don't even understand what the big deal is with tracing her roots. Most African-American people know that somewhere along the line some one in their family was a slave. The news is making it sounds like this is the most amazing discovery ever. Its really not!
18If she's ok with it with the media running it and investigating it, then it's cool.
19Gee, maybe all Americans should mow lawns to provide health care to aliens that walk across the border. They have killed every industry in America except lawn mowing. Let's do it! Get out and mow your freakin' neighbor's lawn for medicare bucks.
20Tres Sugar writes, "In addition, the fact that Michelle's great-great-great-grandfather was white might remind this diverse country that we share a common past." This reads like a celebration of diversity, not the recognition that black-white relationships in the days of slavery were almost always coercive and one-sided. We don't know the circumstances of this particular conception, of course, but we should be smart enough to recognize the high probability that it wasn't driven by love or open-mindedness!
21Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.