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Is the race of your ancestors important to you? Why or why not?
A New York Times article discusses Michelle Obama's multiracial background. I am wondering why this is newsworthy. Is the race of your fore-bearers important to you?
The article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/us/politics/08genealogy.html?_r=1&hpw
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The article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/us/politics/08genealogy.html?_r=1&hpw
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October 09, 2009 10:46 PM
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Of course the race of my ancestors is important to me. It helps me identify who I am and where I came from. I've learned a lot about the people with whom I share a blood line. It's interesting to find out that most Americans have a mixed-race bloodline. Very few people in America, of any color or race, can say or prove that they are full-blooded. We claim our ethnicity based on how we appear now, but if we actually dug out our true bloodlines, many will find that they have other races in their heritage.
Michelle Obama's heritage is interesting because it shows how America has grown out of slavery and how we, as Americans, have overcome such a horrifying time in our history. We have the great-great-great-granddaughter of a former slave (and slave owner) standing next to, supporting and working with (not for) the President of our country. This is an amazing revelation!
Thank you for posting it!
Michelle Obama's heritage is interesting because it shows how America has grown out of slavery and how we, as Americans, have overcome such a horrifying time in our history. We have the great-great-great-granddaughter of a former slave (and slave owner) standing next to, supporting and working with (not for) the President of our country. This is an amazing revelation!
Thank you for posting it!
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• Thank you very much for answering. Excellent points!
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October 09, 2009 08:22 PM
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Just as we must know our history or be doomed to repeat it I feel knowing our ancestral roots is equally as important for a number of reasons.
1. Genetic disposition to disorder and disease. It is proven that some diseases and disorders affect certain racial groups more than others, knowing your race helps you know your health.
2. Identity- I'm just as proud of my father, father as of the founders of my family line. I believe that sort of identity is important to children and I want to pass that on to mine. I know where I came from, so I know where I'm going.
Though whether knowing was important wasn't really your question more was it important to us, so my answer is yes for the above stated reasons adding in, "Damn did the Norwegians rock" as a third logic lol I also just in general enjoy history, what's more entertaining than your own story?
Does Michelle Obama's background have any relevancy to anyone else for any reason, no. I don't see why it's news.
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1. Genetic disposition to disorder and disease. It is proven that some diseases and disorders affect certain racial groups more than others, knowing your race helps you know your health.
2. Identity- I'm just as proud of my father, father as of the founders of my family line. I believe that sort of identity is important to children and I want to pass that on to mine. I know where I came from, so I know where I'm going.
Though whether knowing was important wasn't really your question more was it important to us, so my answer is yes for the above stated reasons adding in, "Damn did the Norwegians rock" as a third logic lol I also just in general enjoy history, what's more entertaining than your own story?
Does Michelle Obama's background have any relevancy to anyone else for any reason, no. I don't see why it's news.
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October 09, 2009 09:10 PM
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Thanks,tp. Yeah, it is important, and many aspects of life get passed down from generation to generation. Sure, sometimes, some people try to wipe their slate clean, but more often than not, we are shaped in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
Michelle's ancestry is worthy of reporting in that it is interesting. Does it change anything? No, but much that is "newsworthy" is not earth-shattering.
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Michelle's ancestry is worthy of reporting in that it is interesting. Does it change anything? No, but much that is "newsworthy" is not earth-shattering.
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October 09, 2009 10:57 PM
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I feel that my ancestry is important. I have celebrations that reflect my heritage and go back so many generations that if we did not know our ancestry then we would be lost as to the meaning of these traditions.
I agree that knowing is important to your family alone. I do not find it newsworthy.
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I agree that knowing is important to your family alone. I do not find it newsworthy.
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October 10, 2009 10:45 PM
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I think that knowing the racial diversity in ones family background is important in order to best celebrate it. If we look far back into our heritage we will often find that we are a composite of many cultures and races. I have traced my ancestors 5 generations back, and even in that short time, I have found an interesting and surprising mix.
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The end of your answer makes me wanna hurl a little bit more than a little. 1. 200 years? 2. relevancy to her ability to "work with"? 3. There were a variety of US presidents whose ancestors were once enslaved we just have to stop being racist to see it :P.