Strom Thurmond and Al Sharpton Are Linked

[Frodo]

Sharpton's Ancestor Was Owned by Thurmond's

By Robin Shulman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 26, 2007; Page A01

NEW YORK, Feb. 25 -- The Rev. Al Sharpton, the prominent civil rights activist, is descended from a slave owned by relatives of the late senator and one-time segregationist Strom Thurmond, a genealogical study released Sunday reported.

"It was probably the most shocking thing of my life," Sharpton said of learning the findings, which were requested and published Sunday by the New York Daily News. He called a news conference to respond publicly to the report. "I couldn't describe to you the emotions I have had . . . everything from anger to outrage to reflection to some pride and glory."

Sharpton, 52, said he had suspected that his forebears may have been slaves but had never attempted to confirm that or find out any details.

"I had never really traced my family history, particularly on my father's side, since my parents separated when I was going on 10 years old," he said.

The newfound knowledge that his great-grandfather was a slave, Sharpton added, gave him a new perspective on his life.

"You think about the distance that you've come, you think about how brutal it was, you think about how life must have been like for him. And then you start wondering whether or not he would be proud or disappointed in what we have done," Sharpton said, with his eldest daughter, Dominique, 20, at his side.

The revelation was particularly stunning for the juxtaposition of the two men's public lives.

[KEmperor]

I don't see what difference that makes.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I don't see what difference that makes.

[opebo]

A lovely coincidence that reminds us of that upon which america is based.  

[Padfoot]

I don't see what difference that makes.

It doesn't really make a difference in that it won't change anything.  It is a rather strange twist in history though.

[J. J.]

I don't see what difference that makes.

They might be cousins.

[GOP = Terrorists]

A lovely coincidence that reminds us of that upon which the south is based. 

[minionofmidas]

It does say a bit about Strom Thurmond's political and class background ... not that any sane should be surprised. It's sort of funny, though.

[??????????]

A lovely coincidence that reminds us of that upon which the south is based. 

I love your little edit Mr. Nutmeg. I suggest before pointing the finger on slavery you go read a history book on Conneticut's role in the slave trade. Ha!

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

A lovely coincidence that reminds us of that upon which the south is based. 

I love your little edit Mr. Nutmeg. I suggest before pointing the finger on slavery you go read a history book on Conneticut's role in the slave trade. Ha!

Connecticut just bought and sold the slaves. It did not have the largescale plantation economy Dixie did.

[True Democrat]

A lovely coincidence that reminds us of that upon which the south is based. 

I love your little edit Mr. Nutmeg. I suggest before pointing the finger on slavery you go read a history book on Conneticut's role in the slave trade. Ha!

Connecticut just bought and sold the slaves. It did not have the largescale plantation economy Dixie did.

Amistad anyone?  The captain who found the Amistad went to CT instead of NY in order to claim the slaves as found property, which he couldn't do in NY.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

A lovely coincidence that reminds us of that upon which the south is based. 

I love your little edit Mr. Nutmeg. I suggest before pointing the finger on slavery you go read a history book on Conneticut's role in the slave trade. Ha!

Connecticut just bought and sold the slaves. It did not have the largescale plantation economy Dixie did.

Amistad anyone?  The captain who found the Amistad went to CT instead of NY in order to claim the slaves as found property, which he couldn't do in NY.

This is New England. A region known for hypocrisy.

[JSojourner]

They have lots in common.

1.  Great hair.  Thurmond's combover was a classic.  And Sharpton's "do" is outclassed only by the magnificent tresses of ex-congressman Jim Traficant.

2.  Both bigots.  Thurmond thought segregation was just dandy.  Sharpton is an anti-semite and has all that Tawana Brawley baggage.

3.  Both Presidential candidates.

4.  Either one is still smarter than The Decider!

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

If Strom Thurmond's ancestor had been quicker with the whip we'd have no problems with Sharpton's bitching today.

[jimrtex]

A curiousity was how close the relationship was, and yet how far back in the past the connection was.

The slave was Al Sharpton's great-grandfather, born in 1835, 119 years before Sharpton, or 40 years per generation for 3 generations.

The slave-holder's 1st cousin twice removed was Strom Thurmond, who was a Thurmond who married a Sharpton.  Her grandfather and Strom's gg-grandfather was born in 1769, or 132 years before Strom, so that was 33 years per generation for 4 generations.

Al Sharpton said that he only met Strom Thurmond once, when singer James Brown was in Washington, DC.  Brown, from South Carolina, was very conservative and a supported Republicans including Thurmond.

[Chiahead]

I'm related to everyone, since I am a decendent of the human race.

[Mr. Morden]

Apparently Sharpton now wants DNA testing to see if he and Thurmond are related:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/274049,CST-NWS-sharp27.article

[KEmperor]

Apparently Sharpton now wants DNA testing to see if he and Thurmond are related:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/274049,CST-NWS-sharp27.article

Pathetic.

[Joe Republic]

Apparently Sharpton now wants DNA testing to see if he and Thurmond are related:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/274049,CST-NWS-sharp27.article

Jerry Springer is unavailable for comment.

[Colin]

Apparently Sharpton now wants DNA testing to see if he and Thurmond are related:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/274049,CST-NWS-sharp27.article

Jerry Springer is unavailable for comment.

I don't know Maury is the expert when it comes to DNA testing. I could here it now, "Al Sharpton, Mr. Thurmond was not your father's mother's great great grand-fathers uncle." Then I think Sharpton would have to do some required dancing/swearing/beating up Strom Thurmond's extended family. Really nothing new for Al.

[minionofmidas]

Strom Thurmond, who was a Thurmond who married a Sharpton.

That makes sense. Few slaves took the surname of their last owner, but many took surnames of their owners' relatives and business associates, or of former owners.

[J. J.]

Apparently Sharpton now wants DNA testing to see if he and Thurmond are related:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/274049,CST-NWS-sharp27.article

Pathetic.

Is this really so terrible.  We live in a melting pot, and this just got in the mix.  It is part of being American.  I just wish "ole Strom" had acknowledged Essie Mae while he was still alive.

Sorry, but that's how I feel.